Almost everyone believes that the only way to treat depression is by taking pills; since there are all kinds of traditional medicines (and some alternatives) that promise to automatically change the mood, generating well-being. However, this is not entirely true. The fact is that medications can reduce symptoms, but they don’t actually eradicate the problem.

Sometimes, they are really necessary to help people to feel better in a short period of time, to generate relief; but in the long term, these medicines’ efficacy is questioned. Studies show that after five years, this kind of treatment can make depression chronic. Not to mention that these types of drugs have negative side effects, sometimes very harmful.

Although medication is sometimes necessary, the approach should be to discontinue the pills as soon as possible. At the same time, it is possible to turn to natural remedies to improve your mood. In this article, we will talk about those natural remedies (like CBD oil) and some good habits that can be really helpful to treat depression; but first, we will discuss what depression is.

What is Depression?

Depression is a serious medical illness that affects about 350 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability, according to the World Health Organization. Depression does not always require drug treatment. However, antidepressants can help improve symptoms in some people.

Many people who suffer from this illness don´t recognize the symptoms or feel so down they don’t have the strength to seek help. Such symptoms are low mood, thoughts or feelings of worthlessness, death or suicide, sadness, discouragement, psychosis, poor memory and reduced sexual appetite. Additionally, insomnia, frustration, impotence, irritability, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, tiredness, executive dysfunction, dysphoria and other secondary physical or psychological signs.

The severity of depression is a spectrum. Depending on the person and the actual cause of the depression, the severity and side effects can be very different experiences.

Mild depression: involves low-grade, low-motivation loss of interest.

Moderate depression: involves a greater loss of motivation and little energy; this may or may not affect daily responsibilities.

Severe depression: can include suicidal thoughts or complete loss of motivation.

Causes of Depression

There is no single cause for depression, but many causes. In most cases, it is simply a symptom of other underlying medical conditions or carrying a harmful diet and lifestyle choices. Such causes can include substance abuse, duel, chronic stress, genetic diseases (like multiple sclerosis and Huntington’s disease), side effects of certain medications, nutritional deficiencies (including magnesium, zinc, B and D vitamins, and protein), heredity, physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, hormones and intestinal permeability, sleep disturbances, bad experiences, brain damage, poverty, child abuse, periodontal diseases, among others.

Doctors often consider your history and review your behavior and mental state when evaluating a possible diagnosis of depression. They must rule out physical causes of depression (such as thyroid disease or Parkinson’s disease) to decide if depression is an appropriate diagnosis.

How to treat Depression

Treating depression involves finding the cause. Psychologists will generally identify signs of abuse, personal difficulties, stressful events, substance abuse, or other causes of depression that may be at play.

As we mentioned before, there are pharmaceutical treatments and others that involve natural medicine. Sometimes it is ideal to combine both. Dietitians, nutritionists, and natural health therapists should examine the diet and consider how the lifestyle of those affected harms their depression. There are cases where a change in diet and lifestyle are often enough to alleviate most symptoms of depression.

Let’s take a look at some natural remedies for depression:

CBD as a Treatment for Depression

According to the latest medical reviews, CBD from cannabis was shown to have a short- and long-term anti-stress effect and as an antidepressant in studies that have been conducted on rodents since CBD would act on serotonin levels in the brain.

Serotonin is a neuromodulator of the human nervous system which regulates mood, perception, reward, anger, aggression, appetite or memory. Stress is one of the main factors that reduce the concentration of serotonin, and its metabolism is associated with several psychiatric disorders. CBD can alleviate the symptoms of depression because it increases serotonin levels and reduces pain and inflammation.

Nowadays, many people are turning to treat depression by consuming CBD oil or other products. And even though studies are still being carried out, there is a lot of data available to support this. You can find more information on Sarah´s Blessing website. In fact, the 2018 reviews offer encouraging data, as they have found that CBD reduces the symptoms of depression faster than conventional medication.

Hypericum against Depression

Hypericum or “St. John’s Wort” has proven to be an excellent aid. The best thing is that it does not have the side effects of drugs, and it has been endorsed by different doctors in Germany for its positive effects in treating depression.

Its preparation is simple: it is about making tea with the dried leaves of this plant, found in pharmacies or herbalists. The usual dose for depression is half a cup, twice a day. However, it is essential to consult a professional since the interaction with other medications could have different associated risks.

Proper Nutrition

Through food, we incorporate into our body a series of substances that improve or attack our mood. A person in a state of depression needs a diet rich in some vitamins and minerals. It is crucial to have a diet rich in the following elements: Vitamins C and D, Folic acid, Omega 3, Selenium and Iron and Zinc.

Of course, following a healthy and balanced diet does not generate immediate effects. People must have a little patience to notice the benefits since the body requires time to stabilize. However, once the diet becomes a habit, people feel much better, and symptoms are minimized.

It is important to clarify that a healthy diet does not cure depression, but it can be really helpful and contribute to feeling more vitality.

Also, You can find more helpful resources at PopBom.