People use CBD gummies for a variety of reasons. Besides being tasty and discreet, these gummies also have a wide range of health benefits. Many of CBD’s benefits are anecdotal and come from users’ claims; some of CBD’s benefits are backed by clinical research and experts. These research-backed possible health benefits of CBD include relief from chronic pain, stress, and depression.

Though clinical depression is treated with drugs like sertraline, these drugs have numerous side effects. The side effects of sertraline are mostly the same as many other antidepressants of older generations, such as dizziness, nausea, insomnia, and low libido. Moreover, the drug can cause severe side effects such as anorexia and ejaculation failure.

While medical professionals prescribe anti-depressant like sertraline to people, CBD gummies could also do the trick. Moreover, natural products like cannabidiol (CBD) are free from any side effects associated with sertraline. Besides, instead of targeting a particular syndrome, CBD has a holistic approach that promotes a feeling of total well-being.

Due to these benefits, people now embrace CBD products wholeheartedly, but medical professionals are still reluctant to use CBD gummies instead of sertraline.

So, let’s see why clinicians prefer sertraline. We would also see what would happen if we take CBD gummies with sertraline. Let’s start.

CBD vs. Sertraline For Depression

Role of sertraline in the treatment of depression:

Sertraline is a popular anti-depressant sold under the brand name Zoloft. It belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). The SSRI class drugs work by balancing the serotonin level in the brain. Apart from depression, the drug is also used in conditions such as:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Stress and anxiety disorder
• Panic attacks
• General & Social anxiety disorder

A study says an imbalance in the brain’s serotonin function can cause clinical depression in some cases.

Though sertraline has several side effects, it still helps in improving mood and promoting sleep. Additionally, it also helps in boosting appetite and energy levels. At the same time, sertraline also helps lower unnecessary fear and anxiety, thus improving the overall quality of life in patients with depression.

Role of CBD in treating depression:

Compared to sertraline, CBD gummies perform far better in treating depression and anxiety. Both CBD and sertraline show the same properties of promoting calmness and relaxation. CBD lacks the side effects which are there in sertraline. A 2014 animal study claims CBD has antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties. Similarly, a review of some studies also says CBD gummies have anti-stress properties.

A 2019 study investigating the effects of CBD on depressed males and female rats says CBD improved the conditions of rats. The rats were given 30mg/kg of CBD in this research to check their stress-coping abilities. The researchers concluded that CBD gummies might reduce the common symptoms of depression in rats.

In another study in 2020, rats exposed to high stress were treated with CBD for over 28 days. Further, the rats were examined for depression, and it was found that CBD decreased the symptoms of depression.

So, what would happen if some over-enthusiastic people take CBD gummies with sertraline?

What Would Happen If You Take CBD Gummies With Sertraline?

The World Health Organization (WHO) shows CBD is safe to use, but it may interfere with the action of some drugs. According to health experts, CBD has a hypothetical drug interaction at the moment as it inhibits two central enzyme systems in the body. These enzymes are proteins that boost up the chemical reaction in the body.

Moreover, the enzyme system also plays a vital role in functions such as respiration and digestion. By helping with digestion, enzymes also help the body metabolize antidepressants that may reduce depression due to stress.

Another critical factor in the interaction of CBD gummies and sertraline is that gummies are first digested in the stomach and then absorbed by the liver. It’s inside the liver where both CBD and enzymes meet. Experts believe CBD interferes with the working of SSRI medications. Due to this, taking CBD with sertraline may interfere with the action spectrum of sertraline.

The interference caused by CBD also increases the overall processing time of sertraline. So, theoretically speaking, using CBD with sertraline could decrease its metabolism and increase its effects.

While the SSRI drugs work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin inside the brain, CBD performs far better in treating depression and anxiety. Research indicates CBD can activate the serotonergic receptors of the body. However, CBD doesn’t directly act on serotonin; instead, it affects the CB receptors of the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Some research suggests CBD can help in boosting overall mood and fight the symptoms of depression. The CB receptors of ECS are mainly concentrated around the brain area, and these receptors help regulate mood, appetite, sleep, and pain response. Due to this, if you take CBD gummies with sertraline, chances are it can make you feel sleepy.

At the same time, antidepressants will probably become more powerful because of the possible drug interaction between CBD and sertraline. This increased potency can cause side effects ranging from standard to severe ones. In the worst-case scenario, CBD can cause a hyper concentration of serotonin in the brain leading to the symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

The symptoms of serotonin syndrome include insomnia, confusion, high BP, increased heart rate, and irritability. Furthermore, taking CBD gummies with sertraline may also invite unwanted symptoms caused due to doubling up of side effects.

Some studies suggest that using a high quantity of CBD with a low amount of THC is more helpful in the symptoms of depression. However, it’s illegal to use CBD products containing more than 0.3% of THC in the United States.

The key takeaways are that CBD has the upper hand in the treatment of depression. CBD has minor side effects, such as decreased blood pressure and potential liver damage. Moreover, it doesn’t have any side effects like sertraline.

Furthermore, there aren’t enough studies to determine if CBD will benefit long-term use. So, if your doctor has prescribed sertraline to treat depression, use it only. Moreover, try not to experiment with CBD and sertraline as they may even cause sedation.