The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders. Hemp cannabinoids have the ability to regulate the functioning of this system, which is why the potential antipsychotic properties of CBD are the subject of scientific research in many research centers around the world. Researchers are paying attention to different types and stages of psychotic disorders (including schizophrenia). They are also testing the potential benefits of CBD use in people who experience psychotic episodes in the course of other diseases, such as Parkinson's disease. Let's take a look at a selection of study results.

What are psychotic disorders?

W chapter "Disorders belonging to the schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders" of the DSM-5 describe as many as 12 types of disorders, which can vary in intensity or stage. However, they have many characteristics in common. By psychosis or psychotic state is meant a state of disruption of various areas of mental functioning, including perception of reality - self and environment, thinking, experiencing and expressing emotions, mood.

Psychotic disorders manifest themselves in the areas of consciousness, thinking, perception and behavior. The sufferer does not perceive that his thinking is inconsistent with reality or illogical, and is unable to look critically at his behavior.

Symptoms characteristic of psychotic disorders:

hallucinations, hallucinations, delusions,
thinking disorders: slowed thinking, distractibility, irrationality,
Indifference and lack of energy or strong agitation,
behavioral disorders:

Ambivalence - contradictory statements and behavior,

ambitendence - contradictory behavior,

paramimia - the contradiction of facial expressions with the emotions experienced,

antisociality.

Depending on type of disorder, some symptoms may be stronger than others, some may not be present at all or may not occur simultaneously with others. Psychotic disorders may relate more to perceptual disorders - hallucinations or thinking disorders - abnormalities related to the course and manner of thinking.

CBD in the treatment of psychosis

Antipsychotic drugs available on the market have the same mechanism of action - They block dopamine receptors. This makes it so that for those who do not respond to such treatment, there are not many alternatives available. At the same time, these drugs often cause side effects, making some patients/ women reluctant to take them. This is a particular problem in the early stages of psychosis, when unpleasant experiences can affect patients'/others' future attitudes toward treatment. Whereas No preventive treatment is available for those at clinically high risk of psychosis.

Research have shown that CBD has a different mechanism of action (independent of the dopamine receptor) and therefore may represent a whole new class of antipsychotic drugs. The biggest benefit is the absence of some side effects, such as muscle stiffness, muscle tremors, walking disorders and elevated prolactin levels. Researchers also point out that cannabidiol may increase the effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs if used concurrently.

Evidence to date for CBD's antipsychotic effects comes from preclinical animal studies, studies using neuroimaging methods, studies with healthy volunteers, and relatively small clinical trials involving people with psychotic disorders.

In one of the research The clinical trial included 88 schizophrenic patients. After 6 weeks of treatment, compared to the placebo group, the group receiving the CBD symptom intensity Psychotic conditions were lower. The condition of the patient(s) was more often rated as "improved" by physicians. CBD was well tolerated, and the incidence of side effects was similar in groups receiving CBD and placebo.

CBD may alleviate psychotic symptoms in Parkinson's disease

Psychotic symptoms can also appear in people with Parkinson's disease. W research conducted with patient(s) showed significant symptom relief as a result of cannabidiol treatment. CBD did not impair function motor skills and did not lower total scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. No side effects were observed during treatment. These preliminary data suggest that CBD may be effective, safe and well tolerated for the treatment of psychosis in Parkinson's disease.

CBD in psychosis - large clinical trials

Later in 2023, an extensive research clinical trial involving 3 groups: those with a history of a first psychotic episode, those at high risk for psychosis, and those with psychosis who do not respond to conventional treatment. There will be a total of 1,000 patient/s, the study will include 35 research centers, mainly in Europe and North America.

According to researchers, cannabidiol is one of the most promising new treatments for people suffering from psychosis. This study will be the first to evaluate CBD in a large number of people with psychosis or psychotic symptoms, and brings together many of the world's leading centers working in this field. In addition to treating already diagnosed psychosis, the study will also test whether cannabidiol can prevent the onset of psychosis in people at high risk of developing it.

The CBD that will be used in the study is derived from cannabis. The drug consists of more than 99% of cannabidiol. Other components of cannabis that may have adverse (in this case) psychoactive effects have been removed. The study will use a licensed form of cannabidiol, known as Epidyolex. The researchers emphasize that the huge advantage of the CBD over conventional drugs antipsychotics is the lack of serious side effects.

Researchers also aim to identify biomarkers - biological signposts - that would indicate that a patient may respond well to treatment. This will allow a better understanding of how CBD works in psychosis and the possibility of its greater personalization in the future.

The studies used high doses of CBD (300 to 1,500 mg per day), and the subjects were under constant observation by researchers and doctors. Taking such high doses on your own is not a good idea. For your own safety, it's better to consult a hemp therapy doctor.

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