If you’ve recently been prescribed Lexapro (escitalopram) for anxiety or are researching it, you might be somewhat concerned about its long list of potential adverse effects.
And in your search for a better alternative, you came across cannabidiol (CBD).
But is hemp-derived CBD a viable replacement for Lexapro? Does it have benefits for people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or depression?
In this article, we’re going to give you a full breakdown of CBD vs. Lexapro — how they work, what they can and can’t do, and their side effects.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Research suggests CBD has therapeutic potential for anxiety and depression, but it isn’t yet a proven treatment for any of these conditions because it hasn’t been evaluated with the same clinical rigor as Lexapro and other selective serotonin reputake inhibitors (SSRIs) have.
- CBD may be able to replace Lexapro for you, but it’s important to consult with your psychiatrist before making any changes in your treatment plan.
- Because CBD has the potential to interfere with Lexapro and cause adverse effects, the two should not be taken at the same time.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid in the cannabis sativa plant (hemp is federally-legal cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight).
While CBD is just one of more than 100 cannabinoids in hemp, it’s one of the most researched because of its high natural abundance and potential therapeutic benefits.
In addition to anxiety and stress, CBD has been researched for pain, inflammation, insomnia, and more.
Unlike THC, CBD is not inebriating. It is technically psychoactive, in that it affects the mind, but it creates mild feelings of calm and relaxation, rather than the feelings you’d normally associate with a high.
What is Lexapro?
Lexapro is the brand name of escitalopram, an antidepressant medication commonly prescribed to treat anxiety and depression.
Lexapro belongs to a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in your brain, which is associated with positive feelings.
The main cited benefits of Lexapro are that it can improve energy levels, decrease nervousness, and increase feelings of well-being.
How CBD Works In the Body
CBD works by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), a receptor system in your body that keeps your vital functions and systems in a state of balance.
The ECS regulates the nervous system, mood, motor control, sleep, and inflammation — among other things. According to Harvard Medical School, the “ECS is critical for almost every aspect of our moment-to-moment functioning.”
The ECS normally produces its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, but during times of mental or physical stress, introducing outside cannabinoids (such as CBD) can help it perform its job and keep your body in balance.
Scientists don’t have a full picture of how CBD interacts with the ECS, but there are pieces of evidence demonstrating how CBD renders benefits:
CBD may prevent anandamide breakdown
A major theory is that CBD slows the degradation and metabolism of anandamide, an endocannabinoid in the body associated with mood regulation, pain relief, and anti-depression properties, among other things [1].
Anandamide breakdown is thought to be associated with negative physical and mental sensations. CBD’s preserving effect on this endocannabinoid may explain CBD’s beneficial effects for those dealing with anxiety and depression — CBD helps your body restabilize and function normally.
CBD may behave similarly to SSRIs
Research also shows that CBD may mimic the effects of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) by inhibiting — interfering with — certain enzymes that process serotonin in your body [2].
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of happiness and well-being. Normal serotonin levels are associated with normal emotions, while a deficiency is associated with negative emotions.
Some research suggests that CBD may indirectly increase serotonin concentrations, therefore promoting a better mood.
How CBD really works is likely a combination of these two processes — as research progresses, we’ll learn more about this.
How Lexapro Works In the Body
Lexapro (escitalopram) is an SSRI. SSRIs work by preventing the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Reuptake is the process by which neurotransmitters are absorbed back into your nerve endings — preventing reuptake causes serotonin to stay in between your nerve endings for longer, therefore rendering its effects for an extended period of time.
When your serotonin levels are normal, you feel mentally at ease. But if your serotonin levels are too low, you may experience negative emotions. Scientists debate whether low serotonin levels cause anxiety and depression — there are studies both proving and disproving this [3].
However, there is an observed correlation between serotonin deficiency and anxiety, depressed mood, aggression, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
SSRIs such as Lexapro work by increasing your serotonin levels, thereby reducing the anxious or depressive symptoms associated with serotonin deficiency.
Can CBD Help with Anxiety? What Research Says
Although CBD possesses SSRI-like effects and can positively impact your ECS, is it a viable treatment for anxiety?
As of right now, no — there’s simply not enough clinical evidence showing CBD can reduce anxiety to consider it a medical treatment.
However, just because CBD can’t be considered a treatment doesn’t mean it’s not beneficial.
Preliminary research and anecdotal evidence show that CBD has a variety of potential therapeutic benefits for anxiety and depression.
Public speaking and social interaction are common causes of anxiety, and the study found that CBD reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort in participants who used it, as compared to those who did not [4].
Researchers also state that CBD should be researched as an anxiety treatment. One research review examined multiple studies around CBD for anxiety and concluded that it has “considerable potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders” [5].
So although CBD doesn’t have as much clinical proof as Lexapro does, it still has benefits that can’t be ignored.
Anecdotally, many people are already using CBD in place of Lexapro and drugs such as Xanax and Zoloft.
Say goodbye to anxiety, no prescriptions needed. Discover our CBD oils, edibles, drinks, softgels, and more. Lab-tested and backed by 100s of reviews.
CBD vs. Lexapro: Side Effects and Downsides
When discussing the potential adverse effects of CBD and Lexapro, it’s important to account for both the short- and long-term side effects.
Here are the side effects you can expect from both CBD and Lexapro:
Side Effects of CBD
Potential short-term side effects of using CBD include:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Fatigue
As of right now, scientists aren’t aware of any negative side effects casued by long-term CBD use, assuming it’s used in proper amounts and through healthy methods.
Side Effects of Lexapro
Potential short-term side effects of using Lexapro include:
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Trouble sleeping
- Constipation
- Tiredness
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Increased sweating
Lexapro’s short-term side effects are noticeably more extensive than CBD’s.
But they don’t compare to the long-term side effects of using SSRIs.
A study of 180 patients who had been using SSRI antidepressants for 3-15 years found that a variety of long-term consequences may occur from using these drugs.
Reported physical side effects included withdrawal effects (73.5% of those surveyed), sexual problems (71.8%), and weight gain (65.3%), and mental effects such as emotional numbness (64.5%) and feelings of addiction (43%) [6].
Is CBD A Viable Replacement for Lexapro?
Given that CBD has therapeutic potential for anxiety and far fewer (and less severe) side effects than Lexapro, it may seem like the perfect replacement. But is it?
It depends on the kind of mental support you need and what your psychiatrist thinks is right for you. Many medical professionals are partial to CBD, but they recognize its limitations, especially in light of the limited clinical evidence around its efficacy (and the large variability in the quality of CBD products).
If CBD can replace the function of Lexapro and doesn’t cause any adverse interactions with medications you’re already taking, then it is likely a good option for you.
However, if your psychiatrist recommends against it, you might not want to use CBD. As a CBD company, we spend a lot of time researching what CBD can and can’t do. But we don’t know more about the human body and mind medical professionals do, and every person’s needs are different.
Can You Take CBD With Lexapro?
No, you cannot take CBD and Lexapro at the same time. Because of the way CBD works in the body, it will interfere with Lexapro and other antidepressants, creating adverse effects.
One study in which CBD and antidepressants were taken together showed that using the two in unison caused dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness [7].
Avoid using CBD with Lexapro and other antidepressant medications.
Conclusion: Is CBD a Viable Natural Alternative to Lexapro?
CBD has many potential benefits for people dealing with anxiety, depression, and mental health issues. In many cases, it’s able to render similar benefits to SSRIs without posing the same dangers as these antidepressant drugs do.
But it’s important to remember that CBD hasn’t been evaluated with the same clinical rigor that Lexapro has, so it’s not as dependable from a medical standpoint.
Because of this, we recommend you speak with your psychiatrist before supplementing your treatment regimen with CBD. They will be able to determine if it might be helpful for you, and if so, when and how much you should use.
If you’re ready to learn more about taking CBD, check out our CBD dosing guide and chart.
Or, if you want to explore more comparisons between CBD and prescription medicines, see our articles on CBD vs. Paxil, CBD vs. Wellbutrin, and CBD vs. Ativan.
CBD vs. Lexapro: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about CBD vs. Lexapro.
Is CBD or SSRI better for anxiety?
CBD has many potential benefits for depression and anxiety and far fewer side effects than most antidepressants. However, Lexapro and other similar drugs have more clinical evidence backing them, and we know more about the consistency of their benefits and side effects.
Can I take CBD on Lexapro?
CBD should not be used with Lexapro. Using CBD and Lexapro together may result in adverse effects like dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness.
What is the closest thing to Lexapro?
Celexa (citalopram) is one of the most similar drugs to Lexapro. Both drugs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Should I take CBD if I have anxiety?
CBD may support mental relaxation and promote restful sleep, which may be beneficial for people with anxiety. However, CBD isn’t a treatment for anxiety disorders and shouldn’t be used to substitute anxiety medications unless under the supervision of a psychiatrist or other medical professional.
Sources
[1] Leweke, F. M., Piomelli, D., Pahlisch, F., Muhl, D., Gerth, C. W., Hoyer, C., Klosterkötter, J., Hellmich, M., & Koethe, D. (2012). Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Translational psychiatry, 2(3), e94. https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2012.15
[2] de Mello Schier, A. R., de Oliveira Ribeiro, N. P., Coutinho, D. S., Machado, S., Arias-Carrión, O., Crippa, J. A., Zuardi, A. W., Nardi, A. E., & Silva, A. C. (2014). Antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects of cannabidiol: a chemical compound of Cannabis sativa. CNS & neurological disorders drug targets, 13(6), 953–960. https://doi.org/10.2174/1871527313666140612114838
[3] Cowen, P. J., & Browning, M. (2015). What has serotonin to do with depression?. World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 14(2), 158–160. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20229
[4] Bergamaschi, Mateus M et al. “Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients.” Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology vol. 36,6 (2011): 1219-26. doi:10.1038/npp.2011.6
[5] Blessing, Esther M et al. “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.” Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics vol. 12,4 (2015): 825-36. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
[6] Cartwright, C., Gibson, K., Read, J., Cowan, O., & Dehar, T. (2016). Long-term antidepressant use: patient perspectives of benefits and adverse effects. Patient preference and adherence, 10, 1401–1407. https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S110632
[7] Anderson, L. L., Doohan, P. T., Oldfield, L., Kevin, R. C., Arnold, J. C., Berger, M., Amminger, G. P., & McGregor, I. S. (2021). Citalopram and Cannabidiol: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence of Pharmacokinetic Interactions Relevant to the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Young People. Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 41(5), 525–533. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCP.0000000000001427
