Can CBD Treat Schizophrenia?

As the restrictions on MMJ products continue to loosen, the number of studies related to the medical benefits of the Cannabis Sativa plant continues to grow. The two most popular compounds extracted from the Cannabis plant are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). We can extract CBD from both hemp and cannabis which in turn comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant.

Unlike CBD, THC produces the “high” factor because of its ability to connect with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors present in the brain. CBD, on the other hand, is known to have several medical benefits like its uses in seizures, pain, anxiety, migraine, and depression just to name a few. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has so far approved one cannabis-derived and three cannabis-related drug products. Epidiolex which is a purified form of CBD, used for the treatment of seizures, has been approved by the FDA. Other than that, Marinol and Syndros have also been approved for therapeutic use in the United States.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that places a significant emotional and economic strain on the person which in turn affects their ability to behave, feel, or think clearly. People having Schizophrenia shows three types of symptoms:

1. Psychotic symptoms - hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorder

2. Cognitive symptoms - difficulty in making decisions and trouble focusing

3. Negative symptoms - reduced motivation, low feelings of pleasure, and reduced speaking

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that needs treatment to avoid having symptoms that can be persistent and disabling. In understanding the role of cannabis on Schizophrenia, Jegason, Jacob, and Sarah found out that “phytocannabinoid consumption may be a safe and effective treatment option for schizophrenia as a primary or adjunctive therapy”. Approximately 3.5 million people diagnosed to be suffering from this illness which is also one of the primary causes of disability.

Dopamine D2 receptors have been used for the treatment of psychotic disorders since the 1950s. However, it has been found that these come with side effects and are also not known to completely eliminate the symptoms. Cathy and Sagnik hence led research on the prospects of CBD as an alternative. According to the initial clinical trials, CBD is found to be safe and may show properties that can be a cure to patients with psychosis. The neuroimaging research also suggests that CBD may exercise its therapeutic effects via modulation of brain function. However, there were still questions on the overall picture of the side-effects that CBD might bring. In another report, it was found that cannabinoids to some extent show a restorative effect on neurotransmitter dysfunctions in schizophrenia.

To conclude we can say that there are multiple research reports which clearly signify the therapeutic benefits of CBD, and its uses in the treatment of Schizophrenia have also shown positive signs. However, it is still unclear as to what level of side-effects the usage of CBD can have on the patient suffering from this chronic mental illness. Hence it is important that you consult a doctor to understand the right dosage and the right products you may need. There are several platforms that show medical marijuana doctors near you. In case you don't find any good doctors near you or want to consult online from the comfort of your own home, you may check out QuickMedCards.com and see if they meet your requirements.

Future of CBD Products?

Here are a few mindbogling numbers:

49% - Predicted annual growth of the CBD market by 2024

26% - Americans who have tried CBD at least once in 12017-19

48% - Americans who took CBD said it was extremely effective

40% - US citizens who consumed CBD fall within the 18-29 years age group

All of these show that the use of CBD products is in fact on the rise and is certainly going to have a huge impact on the healthcare industry.