CBD and Sertraline - what our customers say
"I’ve been taking antidepressants for around 10 year now, but they didn’t seem to be working. I've been using The Tonic's CBD Patches for just over 2 weeks and what a difference they have made to me mentally. I was on 100mg of antidepressants, but now only on 25mg. My head feels so much better and my dreadful anxiety is much more in control."
Kate has given quite a few consultations recently where anti-depressants (usually Sertraline) has been the main topic. Customers trying to reduce their dose or tapering to come off it completely, based on their doctor's instruction, report experiencing the following side effects:
- Nausea, headaches or flu like symptoms
- Dizziness or poor balance
- Depression, mood swings or irritability
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia or vivid dreams)
- Nausea, headaches or flu like symptoms
- Digestive upset (diarrhea or constipation)
- Weight gain or loss
- Sexual dysfunction
When Sertraline is stopped or tapered too quickly, especially after long-term use, many people experience these symptoms which is referred to as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Symptoms typically begin within 3–4 days after dose reduction and may last anywhere from days to weeks, sometimes even months Verywell Mind. Between 15–50% of people stopping SSRIs suddenly experience withdrawal, and around half describe their symptoms as severe.
Safely tapering advised by Doctors
Always gradually taper sertraline under medical guidance to reduce withdrawal severity.
Some protocols involve switching to a longer‑acting SSRI such as fluoxetine, then tapering from there Verywell Mind.
In cases of long-term use, very slow “hyperbolic” tapering over several months or years is advised to minimise disruption theguardian.com.
How CBD can support during Sertraline withdrawal
Although clinical trials are limited, preliminary evidence and anecdotal reports suggest CBD (cannabidiol) may help ease certain SSRI withdrawal symptoms, but only when used under a doctor’s supervision during a taper.
CBD is thought to act on serotonin pathways (5‑HT₁ₐ agonism) and may provide anxiolytic and antidepressant-like benefits without risk of dependence or withdrawal from CBD itself PMC. Importantly, CBD may interact with SSRIs, especially at high doses, so stick to low doses of CBD if taking alongside the SSRI, leaving a 4 hour window between taking one then the other and ONLY use it under medical supervision.
CBD is in no way a replacement for your prescribed medication, but it can certainly help regulate hormones that control our mood, sleep pattern and energy levels. So if you want to talk more, book a consultation with Kate here.
Talk with your prescribing physician or doctor before adjusting any medication or adding CBD. They can help design a taper schedule and monitor for interactions.