Managing stress and depression without antidepressants
Author: Pavel Cermak
Today's world is incredibly fast-paced, and we are constantly bombarded with both good and, more often, bad news, which causes significant stress. Long-term stress can eventually develop into depression (the most common mental disorder). Most people treat depression with conventional medication or psychotherapy. However, more and more of you are looking for natural solutions for stress and depression—so is it possible to manage without antidepressants? Absolutely, and we will guide you on how to do it.
How do I recognize stress and depression?
Stress
When our body experiences stress, the adrenal glands produce the stress hormone cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels activate the lymphatic system, stimulate the adrenal glands to produce more stress hormones, and trigger symptoms such as increased blood pressure, slowed digestion, altered nutrient metabolism, rapid breathing, and impaired sleep.
Managing stress symptoms consumes a lot of energy. Once the stressful situation ends, the body returns to normal. The problem arises when stress becomes chronic or prolonged—cortisol production continues repeatedly, which significantly drains the body.
What should I do If I'm stressed?
If you are dealing with stress, try to identify what caused it and work on detaching yourself from that situation.
To combat stress, you can also:
- Exercise – Physical activity releases feel-good hormones like endorphins, which help reduce stress.
- Practice relaxation techniques – Engage in deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.
- Take a break – Go for a walk and temporarily forget about what’s bothering you.
Depression
Common symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Irritability, frustration, or restlessness
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities
- Reduced energy, fatigue, or feeling "slowed down"
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Sleep problems – waking up too early, oversleeping, or insomnia
- Appetite changes or unintended weight fluctuations
- Unexplained aches, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that persist despite treatment
What should I do if I'm depressed?
If you suffer from depression, it’s important not to isolate yourself. Even if you don’t feel like socializing, sharing your feelings with close family members can be beneficial.
Additional ways to cope with depression:
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Engage in activities you enjoy – or used to enjoy. Revisit old hobbies or sports that once brought you happiness. Express yourself creatively through music, art, or writing. Spend time with friends. Plan a day trip to a museum, the mountains, or a football stadium.
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Exercise – Exercise is a powerful tool against depression and one of the most effective ways to recover. Research shows that regular physical activity can be just as effective as medication in alleviating depression symptoms.
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Maintain a healthy and balanced diet – What you eat directly affects how you feel. Reduce your intake of foods that negatively impact brain function and mood, such as caffeine, alcohol, trans fats, and highly processed foods. Try incorporating hemp seeds or hemp oil!
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Get some sunlight – Sunlight boosts serotonin levels and improves mood. Whenever possible, go outside during daylight hours and expose yourself to the sun for at least 15 minutes a day.
How to overcome depression without antidepressants?
Most doctors prescribe conventional medications for depression—namely, antidepressants, which many people fear due to potential side effects such as weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and increased blood sugar levels. However, these side effects vary from person to person and do not occur in everyone.
If you want to manage depression without prescription medication, consider consulting a psychologist. Additionally, you can supplement your diet with CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid from the hemp plant that helps alleviate depression and related symptoms (loss of appetite, sleep issues, anxiety, and low mood) while exhibiting minimal side effects.
Find out How CBD has helped others with depression:
Experience with CBD Hemp Tea for Depression
"My husband is ill. He has Parkinson's disease along with severe anxiety (depression). His right side is affected, and he has a strong tremor. I started giving him CBD oil along with hemp tea. Whenever he begins feeling depressed, I give him a few drops of CBD oil (about every three hours), and the depression subsides. Without these drops and teas, I don't know how he would cope—or how I would, for that matter." Milada
CBD/CBG for anxiety and depression
"Hello, I have suffered from anxiety and depression since childhood, and over the years, it has worsened significantly. I come from a family with a significant psychological burden. I have tried various psychiatric medications, but they often made my symptoms worse. I didn’t know what to do, so I turned to websites offering natural substances that might help, and among them, I found cannabis and its products. Specifically, I am talking about CBD/CBG products, which I found on your website. I can say that since I started using them, I feel much better overall and can control panic attacks much more effectively, which is really a big deal for me. I am very grateful for these products—they have practically changed my life. So, I also want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to purchase these products." Anna
It helped me, and I recommend it
"I have been using hemp oil, tea, and cream from Cannadorra for over a year now, and I am satisfied—it has helped me, especially with depression and stress, which is why I continue to use it. I stocked up and also recommend it to other people." Karol
CBD helps my son better than depression medication
"My son suffered a severe head injury 11 years ago and has permanent consequences, such as behavioral disorders, difficulty concentrating, and severe mood swings. I decided to try giving him 10% hemp oil. He started taking one drop every morning, and after just a week, there was a noticeable improvement in his behavior. He was better able to control himself and focus for longer. He also feels good about the oil himself. I believe it’s better than depression pills, which only made him gain weight and become apathetic.
I am very grateful that high-quality oil is available for purchase from you. "Hanka
Drops for depression
CBD drops could also be called depression drops. They are natural, and you cannot develop an addiction to them.
We recommend using CBD for depression at least twice a day by placing the drops directly into your mouth and letting them absorb.
Recommended depression drops:
How to relieve stress without antidepressants?
Try adaptogens—these are plant-based phytonutrients that enhance the body's resistance to stress factors.
In other words, adaptogens protect us from stress, help restore balance, regenerate, and protect the body.
Some of the best adaptogens include:
- Tulsi – Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum)
- Shatavari – Asparagus (Asparagus racemosus)
- Shilajit – Mumio resin
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
- Brahmi Gotu Kola – Asiatic Pennywort (Bacopa monnieri)
- Amla – Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)
- Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Amrita – Heart-leaved Moonseed (Tinospora cordifolia)
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
- Long Pepper (Piper longum)
- Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) – Liver Plus
- Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) – Clean Body Tea
- Rhodiola Rosea (Rhodiola rosea) – Fertility Tea for Men, Adreno Complex
- Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) – Triphala Capsules, Triphala Tea, Reslim
- Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) – Fungimun
- Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) – Fertility Tea for Men
- Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) – Adreno Complex
- Rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa) – Adreno Complex
Is CBD an adaptogen?
CBD is not officially classified as an adaptogen, but it meets all the criteria of a non-toxic natural plant that helps reduce stress in the body. Since CBD and adaptogens work in a similar way, there is a possibility that, when combined, they enhance or amplify each other’s effects.