The yin and yang of cannabis-induced psychosis: the actions of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol in rodent models of schizophrenia.

Posted on March 18, 2014 by David

“There is substantial epidemiological evidence showing that cannabis increases the risk of psychosis, whereas other research suggests that schizophrenia patients self-medicate with the substance. These conflicting accounts may at least be partially explained by the two phytocannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and their opposing actions on schizophrenia-related symptoms.

…propsychotic actions of THC… antipsychotic actions of CBD.

…animal studies… showing that CBD antagonises the neurobehavioural effects of THC, while others show the opposite, that CBD potentiates the actions of THC.

Various mechanisms are put forth to explain these divergent effects such as CBD antagonism at central CB1 receptors…”

…the present study suggests a beneficial property of a direct cannabinoid receptor agonist… and of CBD…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22716133

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

Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Schizophrenia.

Posted on March 18, 2014 by David

“Increasing evidence suggests a close relationship between the endocannabinoid system and schizophrenia.

The endocannabinoid system comprises of two G protein-coupled receptors (the cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 [CB1 and CB2] for marijuana’s psychoactive principle Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol), their endogenous small lipid ligands (namely anandamide [AEA] and 2-arachidonoylglycerol [2-AG], also known as endocannabinoids), and proteins for endocannabinoid biosynthesis and degradation.

…antipsychotic compounds which manipulate this system may provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of schizophrenia.

The present article reviews current available knowledge on herbal, synthetic and endogenous cannabinoids with respect to the modulation of schizophrenic symptomatology.

Furthermore, this review will be highlighting the therapeutic potential of cannabinoid-related compounds and presenting some promising patents targeting potential treatment options for schizophrenia.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24605939

Can Cannabis Cure Schizophrenia? GWPH Thinks So

Posted on March 18, 2014 by David

“GW Pharmaceuticals (GWPH)… touted the extended breadth of its cannabinoid drugs: beyond treating pediatric epilepsy and cancer pain, GWPH says it has the capabilities to treat Type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia. This would position GWPH as a fantastic pharma stock play,..

“As GW continues to progress its clinical work with cannabinoids, our pipeline has the potential to yield, as it did with Epidiolex, a flow of exciting new product candidates in a wide variety of therapeutic areas,” said Dr. Stephen Wright, GW’s Director of Research and Development.

GW has started Phase 2a trial using to treat schizophrenia featuring purified CBD as its active ingredient.”

http://www.mainstreet.com/article/family/family-health/can-cannabis-cure-schizophrenia-gwph-thinks-so

Effects of cannabinoid drugs on the deficit of prepulse inhibition of startle in an animal model of schizophrenia: the SHR strain

Posted on March 18, 2014 by David

“Clinical and neurobiological findings suggest that the cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system may be implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia.

Our results reinforce the role of the endocannabinoid system in the sensorimotor gating impairment related to schizophrenia, and point to cannabinoid drugs as potential therapeutic strategies.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3915876/

Potential protective effects of cannabidiol on neuroanatomical alterations in cannabis users and psychosis: a critical review.

Posted on February 26, 2014 by David

“…different cannabis compounds may exert opposite effects on the neuroanatomical changes underlying psychosis. In particular, cannabidiol (CBD) was shown to prevent THC associated hippocampal volume loss… This finding is further supported by several animal experiments supporting neuroprotective properties of CBD mainly via anti-oxidative effects, CB2 receptors or adenosine receptors… mechanisms by which CBD may reduce brain volume loss, including antagonism of THC, interactions with endocannabinoids, and mechanisms that specifically underlie antipsychotic properties of CBD.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22716143

Antipsychotic profile of cannabidiol and rimonabant in an animal model of emotional context processing in schizophrenia.

Posted on February 26, 2014 by David

“Clinical and neurobiological findings suggest that cannabinoids and their receptors are implicated in schizophrenia. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic compound of the Cannabis sativa plant, has been reported to have central therapeutic actions, such as antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects…

Our results suggest a potential therapeutical effect of CBD and rimonabant to treat the emotional processing impairment presented in schizophrenia.

In addition, our results reinforce the anxiolytic profile of CBD.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22716146

Effects of cannabinoid and vanilloid drugs on positive and negative-like symptoms on an animal model of schizophrenia: The SHR strain.

Posted on February 26, 2014 by David

“Studies have suggested that the endocannabinoid system is implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia…

Our results indicate that the schizophrenia-like behaviors displayed by SHR are differently altered by cannabinoid and vanilloid drugs when compared to control animals and suggest the endocannabinoid and the vanilloid systems as a potential target for the treatment of schizophrenia.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24556469

Effects of cannabinoid drugs on the deficit of prepulse inhibition of startle in an animal model of schizophrenia: the SHR strain.

Posted on February 26, 2014 by David

“Clinical and neurobiological findings suggest that the cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system may be implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia…

Our results reinforce the role of the endocannabinoid system in the sensorimotor gating impairment related to schizophrenia, and point to cannabinoid drugs as potential therapeutic strategies.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24567721

Role of the endocannabinoid system in brain functions relevant for schizophrenia: An overview of human challenge studies with cannabis or ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Posted on January 2, 2014 by David

“Accumulating evidence suggests involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, which signifies a potential application for this system in the treatment of this disorder.

…similarities in brain function between intoxicated healthy volunteers and schizophrenia patients provide an argument for a role of the endocannabinoid system in symptoms of schizophrenia, and further emphasise this system as a potential novel target for treatment of these symptoms.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24380726

Harvard: Marijuana Doesn’t Cause Schizophrenia

Posted on December 10, 2013 by David

“Good news for people who’ve worried that smoking too much marijuana (cannabis) — especially as a teenager — might lead to some dramatic problems in the future, even schizophrenia.

New research from Harvard Medical School, in a comparison between families with a history of schizophrenia and those without, finds little support for marijuana use as a cause of schizophrenia.

“The results of the current study suggest that having an increased familial morbid risk for schizophrenia may be the underlying basis for schizophrenia in cannabis users and not cannabis use by itself,” note the researchers.”

More: http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/12/10/harvard-marijuana-doesnt-cause-schizophrenia/63148.html

“A controlled family study of cannabis users with and without psychosis.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24309013