Bipolar disorder, sometimes known as manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes a person’s mood to swing between mania and depression. The differences between the two can be very extreme and it has a huge effect on daily life. The cycle of mood swings can vary in rate, and can take a few weeks or months to swing from one to the other.
Bipolar is characterised by two main symptoms, mania and depression, that repeat in a pattern. During an episode of mania, a person many experience:
- feeling very happy and excited
- full of energy
- keen to make lots of plans
- fast speech
- taking risks
- spending large amounts of money
- unable to sleep
- easily irritated
- saying things that are out of character
- delusions and hallucinations
Many people with bipolar are not aware when they are in a manic episode, and they may enjoy the feeling of it. Unfortunately, it can lead to unhealthy or disastrous outcomes.
When in a depressive episode of bipolar disorder, symptoms include:
- feeling extremely low
- tiredness, lack of energy
- feeling empty or worthless
- pessimistic
- no interest in usual activities
- problems with sleep, such as insomnia or sleeping too much
- suicidal thoughts
- delusions and hallucinations
The symptoms of bipolar can be severe in some individuals, and those who have intense manic episodes, or highs, are known to have bipolar 1. Those with milder manic elevations, yet who still experience severe lows of depression, are said to have bipolar 2.
The pattern of mania and depression differs depending on the individual. There may be periods of normality between manic and depressive episodes, or it may come as rapid cycling where the condition swings from one state to the other. Bipolar can also be mixed, where a person experiences parts of mania and depression at the same time.
As yet, it is difficult to work out what causes bipolar disorder. It may be a result of chemical imbalances in the brain, yet it can also be brought on by stress, traumatic events, or after years of suffering with depression. Genetics, such as having a family member with bipolar, may also be a reason why it develops in some people.
Traditional Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder
The symptoms of bipolar depression and mania can be reduced using a combination of treatments, such as medications and therapy.
Bipolar medication includes mood stabilisers that help to prevent episodes of mania and depression, and medications to help relieve the symptoms of both should they occur. Other types of medication for bipolar are antidepressants, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics. Often a combination of medications are needed, and are used long term. Finding the right combination of medications for an individual can be a challenge, and there are also side effects to manage.
Taking part in therapy sessions may help people with bipolar learn to recognise the early symptoms of a manic or depressive episode, enabling them to get the support they need before it overwhelms them. Having understanding family and friends also helps a person to manage their condition, and educating both people with bipolar and their carers is essential in helping to provide the best support.
As well as traditional treatments for bipolar disorder, complimentary treatments many also help. This includes a healthy lifestyle and health supplements such as CBD oil.
CBD Oil for Bipolar Disorder
CBD oil is a popular health supplement that is derived from hemp, a strain of cannabis plant. Unlike marijuana, hemp does not contain the same levels of cannabinoids that make people high, but instead a number of beneficial cannabinoids, such as CBD, that support health and wellbeing.
Many people take CBD oil for depression, and bipolar depression may also benefit from the relaxing and soothing effects of CBD. CBD helps to regulate sleep patterns, and being well rested lessens many symptoms associated with anxiety and depression, including that which present in bipolar.
An increased amount of neuro-inflammation in the brain is often associated with bipolar disorder. With CBD oil being a natural anti-inflammatory, this can help to reduce overall inflammation which could prove beneficial in managing symptoms.
Research is proving the potential of CBD to improve bipolar symptoms in some people. The Compassionate Certification Center1 describes one study and quotes: “The test subjects took 100 mg of CBD daily over the course of several weeks. All 133 participants reported feeling consistent energy levels throughout the day and stable mood levels. At the end of the study, their neurological tests were administered. Each of the participants showed remarkable improvement in attention, verbal fluency, executive functioning and logical-memory recall.”
The World Health Organisation has stated that CBD oil to be safe to use, even at high doses, and there are very few side effects. This makes it an attractive supplement to use to help reduce the amount of prescribed medications that a person with bipolar may need to control their illness, or help ease some of the side effects associated with them.
The Best CBD Oil for Bipolar Disorder
When searching for CBD for bipolar, or any other condition, it makes sense to find the best quality oil in order to get the optimal benefits. Higher strength oils are often good value for money, as you can get a higher dosage with less quantity of oil, making each bottle last longer.
As with any health supplement or medication, the correct CBD dosage is essential in getting the best therapeutic benefits. Our CBD oil dosage calculator gives you a personalised recommended dose based upon your individual symptoms. Simply enter a few details into the calculator, and the results will be displayed on your screen and also emailed to your preferred address.
Choosing CBD oil for bipolar is likely to provide relief from the depressive symptoms, and could also help to stabilise moods, regulate sleep and improve well-being. As more research is done on CBD and bipolar, the more we will learn about how the body’s endocannabinoid system plays a role in mental health, and how CBD and other cannabinoids could be used to treat mental heath conditions.
What you need to know about CBD oil and Bipolar
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes dramatic mood swings from depression to mania. It has a significant effect on daily life, and often requires a combination of medications and therapy to manage the symptoms.
There is not yet any single cause discovered for why some people develop bipolar disorder. It is thought to be a combination of factors, which could include chemical imbalances in the brain, a genetic predisposition, and a triggering event such as trauma or severe depression.
CBD has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, so can be used to help provide relief when a person with bipolar has a depressive episode. Early studies into bipolar and CBD have shown that those who take CBD oil have increased stability in mood, and improved cognitive abilities. CBD oil is also helpful in improving sleep quality, which has a beneficial effect on happiness and well-being.
The best therapeutic dosage for CBD and bipolar disorder will depend on the individual. That is why it is best to get a personalised recommendation, such as by using our CBD oil dosage calculator. By entering a few details about your condition, you will get your results in minutes.