Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition that results in sharp alterations in mood, focus, and energy levels. People with bipolar disorder often have periods of high energy called manic episodes followed by depressive episodes.
Diagnosing bipolar disorder can be challenging because each individual with the disorder has a unique pattern of behaviors or mood alterations. Despite what most people believe, not all people with bipolar disorder experience extreme mood swings. Some may have more subtle shifts.
Doctors typically treat bipolar disorder with prescription medication. Some people are looking into whether cannabidiol (CBD) may offer an alternative. But even though evidence suggests CBD may have some health benefits for conditions like anxiety and depression, there’s still a lot that researchers don’t know.
What is CBD?
CBD is a substance called a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are found in cannabis plants. Other cannabinoids include cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unlike THC, CBD produces mild effects and no obvious “high.”
There are three types of CBD:
Isolate: This pure form of CBD contains no additional compounds from the cannabis plant.
Broad-spectrum: This form of CBD contains some cannabis plant compounds other than CBD, including terpenes and other cannabinoids, but no THC.
Full-spectrum: This form of CBD contains the full spectrum of substances from the cannabis plant. It also has a small amount of THC.
CBD comes in different forms, including:
- capsules
- sprays
- patches
- gummies
- oils and tinctures
- salves, balms, and lotions
- beauty products
What about THC?
Even CBD isolate products may contain trace amounts of THC. If you want to avoid THC or are drug tested, avoiding CBD products may be wise.
Research About CBD and Bipolar Disorder
Very little research has been conducted on the effects of CBD in people with bipolar disorder. The current evidence does not support the idea that CBD can help with the disorder. Still, some evidence suggests that CBD may help with other mental health disorders.
A 2020 review of the evidence suggests that CBD may help reduce symptoms of mental health conditions like social anxiety and schizophrenia. However, the review concludes that the evidence on the use of CBD for bipolar disorder is inconclusive and weak. More studies are necessary.
Similar research reviews from 2020 and 2021 show that there’s insufficient evidence to support cannabinoids (including both CBD and THC) for affective disorders, like bipolar disorder. Indeed, very few clinical trials are being conducted on this topic.
One study from 2015 suggests that cannabis (marijuana) use may negatively impact people with bipolar disorder by is reducing their chances of long-term remission. However, it’s important to note that cannabis contains higher levels of THC than CBD products do. And people with bipolar disorder may be more likely to use cannabis in the first place.
However, the evidence does exist that shows CBD may help with stress, anxiety, and depression. CBD’s potential ability to help with depression may benefit people with bipolar who are experiencing a depressive episode. But this area of research is also ongoing.
How does CBD work?
The human body is equipped with an endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps to keep systems running smoothly. The ECS is made up of endocannabinoids, enzymes, and receptors.
Your body naturally produces endocannabinoids. The two that experts know of are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG). These bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors in your body and trigger specific effects like pain relief. Once endocannabinoids have completed their job, enzymes break them down.
Experts still aren’t clear on how the ECS works, but research suggests it may be involved in:
- inflammation
- immune system responses
- stress
- appetite and digestion
- learning and memory
- metabolism
- chronic pain
- mood
- sleep
Since CBD is a cannabinoid, it can bind to your body’s endocannabinoid receptors. Scientists don’t know how the ECS and CBD interact. Some suggest that CBD stops enzymes from breaking down endocannabinoids. However, there are many other hypotheses about it.
What researchers are pretty sure of is that CBD and THC work better together than alone. This happens due to the entourage effect. That’s why full-spectrum CBD may have more pronounced effects than other forms of CBD.
If you want the full benefits of CBD, opt for full-spectrum products — unless you’re trying to avoid THC. In that case, you’re better off with a broad-spectrum or isolate product.
Is CBD safe to use for bipolar disorder?
CBD is considered generally safe to use according to the World Health Organization, but the WHO does not offer information about CBD use for bipolar disorder. However, over-the-counter CBD products aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA will send warning letters to companies making false health claims about CBD, they don’t regulate what actually goes into each CBD product. That means that quality can vary widely.
Side effects
CBD is less likely to cause side effects than THC. Still, it’s possible to experience mild side effects like:
- diarrhea
- weight changes
- appetite changes
CBD and interaction with other medications
If you decide to take CBD for any reason, it’s crucial to talk with your doctor. CBD may interact with certain medications, including medications prescribed for bipolar disorder. For instance, lithium may interact with CBD and cause lithium toxicity.
How to find a quality CBD product
If you do decide to try CBD, research the brand that you’re interested in. The quality of the product varies greatly among the brands. Some may not contain what they claim. Before consuming your CBD product, take time to review the certificate of analysis (COA) before you buy it. The COA should come from a reputable third-party lab, and it should tell you exactly what testing your product has undergone.
This includes testing for levels of:
- CBD, THC, and other Cannabinoids
- contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, and molds
- residual solvents
- terpenes
You might also want to check the brand’s reputation by checking for any FDA warning letters or lawsuits, as well as what past customers have to say about the brand. In addition, make sure the brand’s website is transparent about its manufacturing process and ingredient sourcing.
Other treatments for bipolar disorder
Typically, doctors treat bipolar disorder using a combination of the following:
- mood stabilizers
- electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy
Final thoughts
Finding the right treatment for any mental health condition can be challenging because symptoms often differ significantly from person to person. Some people say that taking CBD helps with their anxiety and depression. However, CBD is not a replacement for traditional mental health therapies.
If you have a mental health condition like bipolar disorder, talk with a mental health professional about available treatment options. And if you’re already taking medication for bipolar disorder, continue taking it, but talk to your doctor before taking CBD. Some medications, including lithium, may interact with CBD.