March 31, 2025 Callum Colley

CBD Oil And Sertraline: Can You Take Them Together?

Sertraline is one of the most common drugs for anxiety, depression, and many other mental health conditions. One of the major reasons why it is a common prescription by doctors is because it is highly effective and generally well-tolerated by many people.

Similarly, CBD oil has become more and more popular as more people are realising its potential benefits for stress, sleep, and pain. Both sertraline and CBD oil work to relax the mind and body, but can you take them together? Will they be more effective or cause side effects? Let’s find out.

What is Sertraline?

Sertraline is a type of antidepressant that belongs to a group of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications are widely used to help regulate mood and emotions. Sertraline is commonly prescribed for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical messenger called neurotransmitter (also often called the "happy chemical,") that helps control mood, emotions, and sleep. People with depression or anxiety often have low serotonin levels, which can make them feel sad, stressed, or overwhelmed.

When your brain releases serotonin, it travels between nerve cells, sending signals that help you feel happy and calm. But normally, after serotonin does its job, the brain reabsorbs it. SSRIs like sertraline help by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin back into the brain, which means more serotonin stays available. The more serotonin that stays, the stronger the mood-boosting effects. This helps reduce depression, anxiety, and stress while improving mood, sleep and overall well-being.

How Long Does Sertraline Take to Work?

Sertraline does not work right away. For most people, it takes a few days before they start to feel better. In the first few days or weeks, some people may even feel a little worse before they improve. This is because the body is adjusting to the medication.

Does it have any Side Effects?

Like all medicines, sertraline can have some side effects. The most common ones include;

Feeling sick (nausea)
Trouble sleeping or feeling very sleepy
Headaches
Dizziness
Upset stomach

These side effects usually go away after a few weeks as the body gets used to the medication. However, if they are very bad or don’t go away, talk to your doctor for further tests and assessments.

Can You Stop Taking Sertraline?

You should never stop taking sertraline suddenly without talking to your doctor. If you stop it too quickly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, nausea, anxiety, and mood swings. If you need to stop taking sertraline (or any other prescribed medication at that), your doctor will usually lower the dose slowly to avoid any potential adverse effects.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in hemp plants. Many people confuse CBD with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is another compound in hemp plants that makes people feel high. However, CBD is not psychoactive and won’t make you feel dizzy, "stoned," or out of control.

CBD oil is a natural extract made from the hemp plant that contains CBD, mixed with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, hemp seed oil, or olive oil. It has become very popular in recent years because of its many calming benefits. It can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, improve sleep, relieve pain and inflammation, such as chronic pain, joint pain, or muscle soreness, manage anxiety, and more.

How CBD works is that it interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps regulate many important functions, such as mood, sleep, pain, and stress. The ECS has receptors (tiny sensors) throughout the body, including the brain and nervous system. When you take CBD, it binds to these receptors, helping to bring balance to the body, ultimately leading to relaxation, pain relief, and improved sleep.

Although research is still ongoing and scientists are still studying how exactly CBD works and how effective it is for different conditions, many people already use it and say that it helps them feel better.

How Long Does It Take for CBD Oil to Work?

The time it takes for CBD oil to start working depends on how you take it and how your body processes it. Some people feel the effects quickly, while others may take longer.

If you put CBD oil under your tongue and hold it there for about a minute before swallowing, it usually starts working in just a few minutes. This is because it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, making it one of the fastest methods.

If you put it in food or drinks, it has to go through your stomach first. This means it will take more time before you notice any effects. However, the effects may last longer. Other factors like metabolism and dosage can also affect how quickly it works.

Does CBD Have Side Effects?

CBD is generally considered safe for most people, but it can cause some mild side effects, including;

Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Changes in appetite (Some people get more appetite, others reduce appetite)
Diarrhea (if taken in high doses)

These side effects are usually not serious and disappear once the body gets used to CBD. If the effects become adverse, it is advisable to stop using the CBD oil and seek professional health assistance.

How Do Sertraline and CBD Work in the Body?

Sertraline and CBD both affect the brain and nervous system but in different ways. Sertraline increases serotonin levels to help regulate mood, while CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, helping with stress, pain, and sleep.

Both are broken down by the liver. This is important to understand because taking both together may affect how your body processes them.

What Happens When You Take CBD and Sertraline Together?

Because both sertraline and CBD are processed in the liver, CBD may slow down how the liver breaks down sertraline. This can cause increased levels of sertraline in the body, which means the effects of sertraline may be stronger than usual. It can also cause a higher risk of side effects, as more sertraline in your system can lead to dizziness, nausea, or drowsiness. On the other hand, some people say they feel just fine taking both, so effects can vary from person to person.

Are There Any Benefits to Taking CBD and Sertraline Together?

There is not enough scientific research on CBD and sertraline together. Some studies suggest that while CBD may have antidepressant effects, it is not a replacement for prescription medications like sertraline. Others believe that using both CBD and sertraline together might provide extra relief for anxiety and depression. Since CBD is still being studied, more information is needed to know for sure before making clear recommendations.

How to Take CBD and Sertraline Safely

If you want to try CBD while taking sertraline, here are some simple tips to help you out;

Talk to your doctor - This is the first and most important step. A health professional can help you decide what is safe and effective for your specific condition.

Start with a low dose - Whenever you start with anything new, such as CBD oil, always begin with a small amount to see how your body reacts and give it time to adjust before increasing your dose.