Becoming a new mother is one of the most monumental changes a woman will experience in her life. While it is undoubtedly a time filled with immense joy, it can also be a time of great uncertainty. Postpartum depression affects 1 out of 7 women…and for some can be a nightmare.

Studies Reveal the Prevalence (and Scary Side Effects) of Postpartum Depression

One study interviewed 10,000 women who had delivered babies 4-6 weeks after they had given birth. University of Pittsburgh psychiatrist, Dorothy Sit, was one of the investigators, said, “We discovered 20 percent had suicidal thoughts.” Sit says. “These are thoughts of death, thoughts of wanting to die, not wanting to wake up, just escape. In fact, some patients with very severe symptoms had made the decision to take their lives.”

Depression isn’t ever easy to face, however going through depression when you have a new life to take care of can be even harder. It’s tough enough to take care of yourself when overcome with feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. Taking care of a helpless infant at the same time can be simply too overwhelming for some women.

Many women have described “feeling numb” or “disconnected from their body.” Others express their fear of being a new parent, as well distrusting their ability to take care of their baby. Sadly, as with regular depression, few people experiencing postpartum depression get the help they need.

Using CBD for Postpartum Depression

Many new moms, however, are taking matters into their own hands and are using CBD for postpartum depression. Often, they find very positive results.

CBD for postpartum depression is typically favored over using THC-dominant products. Using a CBD oil stimulates a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that is responsible for calming the body and mind and promoting relaxation. CBD has also shown to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, and is often used for this very reason. CBD works by directly activating the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, which in turn offers a significant anti-anxiety effect.

New moms fighting the depths of postpartum depression are finding CBD is something helping them out of the black hole of depression. Not only does it help with the high levels of anxiety common in mothers experiencing postpartum depression for instance, but also allows relax more fully into their new role.

Being a new mother and experiencing a baby’s first few months of life should feel like the miracle it truly is. Treating postpartum depression with CBD oil can offer these mothers peace of mind, allowing them to relish in the joy that should be an innate part of being a new parent.

CBD and Breastfeeding

Not all mothers that have postpartum depression are breastfeeding. In fact, many new moms experiencing postpartum depression typically have trouble breastfeeding. One concern for those who do breastfeed is the safety of CBD use while breastfeeding. There has been little research regarding breastfeeding mothers using cannabis, especially CBD. One report regarding marijuana use and breastfeeding mothers found that, “Cannabinoid exposure through milk has not been shown to increase neonatal risk, but there are no appropriate studies of this.” More research will need to be done until a universal stamp of safety and approval can be applied to those moms who do choose to breastfeed and use CBD.  

In summary, the bond that takes place in the early weeks between a mother and their child is fundamental to the healthy development of the child. Using CBD for postpartum depression has shown to help lift women out of their postpartum depression, allowing them to give their baby (and themselves) the tender loving care they truly deserve.