Cannabidiol (CBD) as an Effective Treatment for Schizophrenia and Psychosis?

According to the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.… “Schizophrenia is a severe and debilitating brain and behavior disorder affecting how one thinks, feels and acts. People with schizophrenia can have trouble distinguishing reality from fantasy, expressing and managing normal emotions and making decisions. Thought processes may also be disorganized and the motivation to engage in life’s activities may be blunted. Those with the condition may hear imaginary voices and believe others are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts or plotting to harm them.

Most people with schizophrenia suffer from symptoms either continuously or intermittently throughout life and are often severely stigmatized by people who do not understand the disease. Contrary to popular perception, people with schizophrenia do not have “split” or multiple personalities and most pose no danger to others. However, the symptoms are terrifying to those afflicted and can make them unresponsive, agitated or withdrawn. People with schizophrenia attempt suicide more often than people in the general population, and estimates are that up to 10 percent of people with schizophrenia will complete a suicide in the first 10 years of the illness — particularly young men with schizophrenia. While schizophrenia is a chronic disorder, it can be treated with medication, psychological and social treatments”

While traditional first and second generation antipsychotic medication can effectively treat the symptoms of this debilitating condition,  they are not without negative side effects. With first-generation antipsychotics, you’re more likely to experience movement disorders, such as tardive dyskinesia — a troublesome condition where your brain misfires, causing uncontrollable, random tics or muscle movements. Second-generation antipsychotics may lead to weight gain resulting in health problems like metabolic syndrome.

Is there a more natural alternative treatment without negative side effects?

Researchers have found one of the primary active ingredients in marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD), offers antipsychotic effects since it activates CB2 receptors of your endocannabinoid system. According to studies, psychotic disorders link to alterations of your immune system involved in regulating your endocannabinoid system. As CBD activates your CB2 receptors, it helps modulate your immune system and therefore, reduces psychotic symptoms. More recent studies show CBD offers schizophrenia relief by easing cognitive symptoms of the condition. The studies found regular CBD administration attenuates social withdrawal and cognitive deficits of people with schizophrenia. Researchers also found CBD helps restore working memory and recognition and social behavior back to normal levels. The interesting part about this is that other medications weren’t able to treat some symptoms CBD could. And, CBD doesn’t alter your food intake or body weight, either, which are two common side effects of traditional antipsychotics. Click here to read full Marijuana Doctors Article

Studies: