Can CBD For Schizophrenia Help?
Those who suffer from schizophrenia may wonder if CBD for schizophrenia can help them. This is an important question because, if it works, it can be a useful alternative to medical treatment.
Can CBD Help With Schizophrenia Symptoms?
Several studies have investigated the potential of CBD as an adjunctive therapy in patients with schizophrenia. The results are mixed, but it appears that CBD is effective in reducing psychotic symptoms.
The first randomized clinical trial of CBD in schizophrenia involved 39 patients who had been treated with amisulpride. The treatment was administered for four weeks, and the results of the study showed significant reductions in positive psychotic symptoms. The trial was conducted at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom.
In the trial, participants were administered either CBD or placebo. CBD was given as a daily dose of 800 mg. In addition, the participants were monitored for a period of six weeks. Compared to the placebo group, the CBD group showed significantly improved cognitive performance, illness severity, and clinician’s perception of improvement.
A small randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the effect of CBD on cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia. Thirty-six participants were treated with either CBD or placebo. The trial assessed a variety of cognitive symptoms including poor memory, disorganized thinking, and difficulty integrating thoughts.
The effects of CBD on negative psychotic symptoms were also assessed. The results showed that CBD had a similar effect as the antipsychotic MK-801. It appears that CBD’s antipsychotic effect is not blocked by dopamine D2 receptor antagonists.
Can CBD Help Reduce Anxiety?
Despite the fact that CBD has been approved for epilepsy, PTSD, and ADHD, it is unclear if the compound has the capacity to improve anxiety. This article reviews the latest research on CBD’s effects on anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
The CBD effect has been measured in a number of ways. The most comprehensive study, which involved a number of participants, tested the effect of CBD on sleep. Results were mixed over the course of a month, but a majority of participants reported a marked improvement in sleep.
Another study evaluated the effect of CBD on cognition, finding that CBD may improve cognitive performance in schizophrenia. The findings suggest that CBD may work as an anti-anxiety agent, similar to antidepressants.
The research is limited by small sample size and the absence of well-designed RCTs, but there is a small number of case reports and case series that suggest the compound’s impact on psychosis. These studies suggest that CBD may help in the early stages of psychosis, and that its effects may be additive to the effects of antipsychotics.
The findings were not surprising, as CBD has been shown to be a sedating substance. The authors suggested that the benefits of CBD in schizophrenia were largely due to its ability to reduce cognitive impairment. The fMRI study showed that CBD may help reduce hippocampal-striatal hyperconnectivity.
Is CBD A Substitute For Medical Treatment?
Among the many chemical compounds found in cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) has shown some promising research. CBD can help reduce some psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. However, more research is needed to determine whether CBD is a reliable treatment.
Studies have found that CBD may be particularly effective at treating schizophrenia in the early phases of the disease. It may also be useful in patients who do not respond to traditional antipsychotic medications. However, more research is needed to determine how well it works in combination with traditional treatments.
In one study, CBD was administered as an adjunct to antipsychotics. Participants were already receiving antipsychotic medications and the trial used a higher daily dose than those in other studies. It was also the first double-blind RCT. The researchers measured participants’ cognitive functioning, psychotic symptom severity, and perceived improvement on medication using the Brief Assessment of Cognitive in Schizophonia (BACS).
The study also found that CBD reduced the negative effects of THC on cognitive function. It also increased hippocampal glutamate levels. These findings suggest that CBD may prevent the onset of cannabis-induced psychosis in vulnerable individuals.
The results of the study suggest that CBD is a viable adjunct to traditional antipsychotic medications. However, future trials should assess the effectiveness of CBD through peripheral blood measures, neuroimaging, and a molecular mechanism.
