Psychosis is characterised by paranoia and hallucinations. An ingredient in cannabis called cannabidiol or CBD has shown promise in a clinical trial as a potential new treatment for psychosis.
The main treatment for psychosis is antipsychotic drugs, which have been the first line of treatment since the 1950s. These drugs are usually partially effective, but in around a third of patients they don't work at all. They also can have significant side effects.
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The link between adolescent cannabis use and hypo-mania has been found. Periods of elated mood, excited behavior are some of the symptoms of hypo-mania.
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‘While it is still unclear exactly how CBD works, we know that it acts in a different way to antipsychotic medication, so it could represent a new class of treatment.’
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The most common forms of psychosis are part of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia - which affects more than 21 million people worldwide - and bipolar disorder, but psychotic symptoms can also occur in conditions like Parkinson's disease and alcohol or drug abuse.
The main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. It can induce paranoia and anxiety and hallucinations and has been found in studies to increase the risk psychotic illness in people who regularly use potent forms of cannabis such as skunk.
![Cannabis Use Disorder is Associated With Violent Behavior]( "Cannabis Use Disorder is Associated With Violent Behavior")
The association between persistent cannabis use and violence is stronger than that associated with alcohol or cocaine.
But its second major constituent, CBD, has the opposite effects to THC - leading scientists to think it might one day be useful as a treatment in mental health.
"The study indicated that CBD may be effective in psychosis: patients treated with CBD showed a significant reduction in symptoms, and their treating psychiatrists rated them as having improved overall," said Philip McGuire, who co-led the trial.
He noted that trial patients also reported few adverse side effects, and added: "Although it is still unclear exactly how CBD works, it acts in a different way to antipsychotic medication, and could represent a new class of treatment."
Source: Medindia
Cannabis Use Disorder is Associated With Violent Behavior
The association between persistent cannabis use and violence is stronger than that associated with alcohol or cocaine.
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But its second major constituent, CBD, has the opposite effects to THC - leading scientists to think it might one day be useful as a treatment in mental health.
"The study indicated that CBD may be effective in psychosis: patients treated with CBD showed a significant reduction in symptoms, and their treating psychiatrists rated them as having improved overall," said Philip McGuire, who co-led the trial.
He noted that trial patients also reported few adverse side effects, and added: "Although it is still unclear exactly how CBD works, it acts in a different way to antipsychotic medication, and could represent a new class of treatment."
Source: Medindia
Cancerous Toxins Linked to Cannabis Extract
Health concerns about dabbing, or vaporizing hash oil a practice that is growing in popularity, especially in states that have legalized medical or recreational marijuana have been studied.
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Long-term Cannabis Use Linked With Dulled Adrenal, Emotional ReactivityThe effects of stress on salivary cortisol levels in chronic cannabis users compared to non-users have been studied by a team of researchers. | Advertisement
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