Decreased glial reactivity could be involved in the antipsychotic-like effect of cannabidiol.

Posted on February 15, 2015 by David

“Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychotomimetic constituent of Cannabis sativa with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties induces antipsychotic-like effects.

The present study evaluated if repeated treatment with CBD would attenuate the behavioral and glial changes observed in an animal model of schizophrenia…

These data reinforces the proposal that CBD may induce antipsychotic-like effects.

Although the possible mechanism of action of these effects is still unknown, it may involve CBD anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.

Furthermore, our data support the view that inhibition of microglial activation may improve schizophrenia symptoms.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25680767

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/schizophrenia/

A systematic review of the antipsychotic properties of cannabidiol in humans.

Posted on February 11, 2015 by David

“Despite extensive study over the past decades, available treatments for schizophrenia are only modestly effective and cause serious metabolic and neurological side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of schizophrenia.

A highly promising new pharmacological target in the context of schizophrenia is the endocannabinoid system…

the non-psychotropic, plant-derived cannabinoid agent cannabidiol (CBD) may have antipsychotic properties, and thus may be a promising new agent in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Here we review studies that investigated the antipsychotic properties of CBD in human subjects.

Results show the ability of CBD to counteract psychotic symptoms and cognitive impairment associated with cannabis use as well as with acute THC administration.

In addition, CBD may lower the risk for developing psychosis that is related to cannabis use.

These effects are possibly mediated by opposite effects of CBD and THC on brain activity patterns in key regions implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, such as the striatum, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

The first small-scale clinical studies with CBD treatment of patients with psychotic symptoms further confirm the potential of CBD as an effective, safe and well-tolerated antipsychotic compound, although large randomised clinical trials will be needed before this novel therapy can be introduced into clinical practice.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25667194

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/schizophrenia/

Cannabidiol Attenuates Sensorimotor Gating Disruption and Molecular Changes Induced by Chronic Antagonism of NMDA receptors in Mice.

Posted on January 27, 2015 by David

“Preclinical and clinical data suggest that cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychotomimetic compound from Cannabis sativa, induces antipsychotic-like effects…

These results indicate that repeated treatment with CBD, similar to clozapine, reverses the psychotomimetic-like effects and attenuates molecular changes observed after chronic administration of an NMDAR antagonist.

These data support the view that CBD may have antipsychotic properties.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25618402

“Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug… a controlled clinical trial comparing CBD with an atypical antipsychotic drug have confirmed that this cannabinoid can be a safe and well-tolerated alternative treatment for schizophrenia.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16612464

“A critical review of the antipsychotic effects of cannabidiol: 30 years of a translational investigation… These results support the idea that CBD may be a future therapeutic option in psychosis, in general and in schizophrenia, in particular.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22716160

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/schizophrenia/

Marijuana Compound CBD Can Effectively Treat Schizophrenia

Posted on June 25, 2014 by David

Marijuana Plant

“Cannabidiol (CBD) is a known marijuana compound, and might just be better than antipsychotics at treating schizophrenia.

A preliminary trial has shown this form of treatment to have fewer side effects than traditional methods of treatment…

Since CBD comes from the marijuana plant, political issues are likely to compromise its availability. Extracting the compound from the plant is also expensive.

But the biggest issue scientists face is that CBD is a natural compound, and can’t be patented the way new drugs are. Pharmaceutical companies are therefore not likely to develop it.”

http://www.designntrend.com/articles/14675/20140529/marijuana-compound-cbd-effectively-treat-schizophrenia.htm

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/schizophrenia/

Schizophrenic Genes may Increase Cannabis Use, Quantity

Posted on June 25, 2014 by David

Marijuana Joint

“Study results showed that those who were genetically pre-disposed to schizophrenia were more likely to use cannabis and in greater quantities than those who did not possess schizophrenia risk genes.

… a pre-disposition to schizophrenia increases your likelihood of cannabis use,””

http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/15633/20140624/schizophrenic-genes-may-increase-cannabis-use-quantity.htm

Study: Genes linked to schizophrenia may drive marijuana use (not vice versa)

Posted on June 25, 2014 by David

“Attempts to prove that marijuana will make you crazy have a long and undignified history in the debate over legalization and cannabis use. You seem crazy when you smoke marijuana, anti-potters decided, so it must make you crazy in a clinical way, such as (most notably and scariest) schizophrenia…

The latest study to poke holes in the blown-up fear of marijuana causing psychosis comes from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London.

The study shows that a gene related to schizophrenia may lead people to want to smoke marijuana. Note that this is exactly the kind of flip of a “common understanding” that comes out of correlation studies…

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2014/06/24/study-genes-linked-to-schizophrenia-may-drive-marijuana-use-not-vise-versa/#24345103=0&24367101=0

Pot Use, Schizophrenia Have Gene Link

Posted on June 25, 2014 by David

“Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London have found further evidence of a connection between smoking marijuana and having schizophrenia. There is already research that people who smoke pot are twice as likely to have schizophrenia.

But this study has clarified the link, and the relationship doesn’t appear to be causal.

Rather, there may be an underling genetic connection.

After studying the genetic profile of more than 2,000 participants, study leader Robert Power said their research “suggests that there is likely to be an association in the other direction as well—that a predisposition to schizophrenia also increases your likelihood of cannabis use.”

Those with a genetic predisposition for schizophrenia were more likely to smoke pot and to use it in greater amounts than those without risk genes. Power said the study “highlights the complex interactions between genes and environments.””

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2014/06/24/pot-use-and-schizophrenia-have-gene-link.html

Schizophrenia And Marijuana Use May Be Linked By The Same Set Of Genes

Posted on June 25, 2014 by David

“A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that people who are genetically predisposed to developing schizophrenia may also have the propensity for cannabis use, influenced by the same set of genes. The study is a collaboration between King’s College London and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia, partly funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC).

“We know that cannabis increases the risk of schizophrenia. Our study certainly does not rule this out, but it suggests that there is likely to be an association in the other direction as well – that a pre-disposition to schizophrenia also increases your likelihood of cannabis use,” Power said. “Our study highlights the complex interactions between genes and environments when we talk about cannabis as a risk factor for schizophrenia. Certain environmental risks, such as cannabis use, may be more likely given an individual’s innate behaviour and personality, itself influenced by their genetic make-up.””

http://www.medicaldaily.com/schizophrenia-and-marijuana-use-may-be-linked-same-set-genes-289574

Genetic predisposition to schizophrenia associated with increased use of cannabis.

Posted on June 25, 2014 by David

“Although considerable evidence implicates cannabis use as a component cause of schizophrenia, it remains unclear whether this is entirely due to cannabis directly raising risk of psychosis, or whether the same genes that increases psychosis risk may also increase risk of cannabis use.

Although directly predicting only a small amount of the variance in cannabis use, these findings suggest that part of the association between schizophrenia and cannabis is due to a shared genetic aetiology. This form of gene-environment correlation is an important consideration when calculating the impact of environmental risk factors, including cannabis use.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24957864

http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/mp201451a.html

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/schizophrenia/

CB1 cannabinoid receptors are involved in neuroleptic-induced enhancement of brain neurotensin.

Posted on May 23, 2014 by David

“Targeting the neuropeptide systems has been shown to be useful for the development of more effective antipsychotic drugs. Neurotensin, an endogenous neuropeptide, appears to be involved in the mechanism of action of antipsychotics…

Conclusion: The brain neurotensin under the regulatory action of CB1 receptors is involved in the effects of amisulpride and fluphenazine.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24847420