CBD A New Treatment For Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental illness affecting approximately 3.5 million Americans, three quarters of whom are between 16 and 25 years of age. This illness is marked by paranoid delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech patterns, catatonic behavior, and other symptoms. It has been discovered that CBD, cannabidiol, is a great treatment for schizophrenia. Studies show that fifty percent of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia have received no treatment whatsoever. Of those diagnosed, treatment and associated costs are estimated to be between $32.5 and $65 billion annually. The news is not all bad, however; studies indicate that 25% of those with schizophrenia recover completely, and 50% are improved over a 10-year period. Unfortunately, 25% do not improve over time.

Those statistics may change over the coming years with medical marijuana doctors recommending CBD treatment options for schizophrenia as a viable option for many individuals. The psychiatric research journal JAMA Psychiatry has just published a study titled “Effect of Cannabidiol on Medial Temporal, Mid-brain, and Striatal Dysfunction in People at Clinical High Risk of Psychosis,” which suggests the calming properties of cannabidiol could have antipsychotic effects for those at high risk of psychosis. Building on previous research which identified the regions of the brain affected in individuals with psychosis and other findings which demonstrated CBD’s therapeutic effects, the results of this new study gives hopes to millions of people suffering from the debilitating effects of schizophrenia.

Much research has been done regarding the calming effects of cannabis when dealing with anxiety, and a large amount of anecdotal evidence is also available on the subject. Another study done recently by the University of New Mexico’s Department of Psychology in conjunction with its Department of Economics found that cannabidoil can be an effective treatment for schizophrenia, both alone and/or in conjunction with other medications. Study authors wrote, ‘A review of the literature shows that phytocannabinoid consumption may be a safe and effective treatment option for schizophrenia as a primary or adjunctive therapy.’

Currently, pharmaceutical medications are the standard recommended course of treatment for schizophrenia, but with the new information emerging from the scientific community as to the efficacy of CBD in treating schizophrenia, there may be a paradigm shift forthcoming. As stated by a medical marijuana doctor stated, “Emerging research suggests that Cannabis can be used as a treatment for schizophrenia within a broader etiological perspective that focuses on environmental, autoimmune, and neuroinflammatory causes of the disorder, offering a fresh start and newfound hope for those suffering from this debilitating and poorly understood disease.” The study goes on to state that “A review of the literature suggests that CBD in particular may be a safe and effective treatment option for schizophrenia as a primary or adjunctive therapy, supporting both inflammatory causes of schizophrenia…” With more and more states passing laws to decriminalize medical and recreational use of marijuana and mental health facilities closing their doors across the country, this research could help spur the medical community to promote a less expensive, more readily available treatment option for millions of people currently suffering from schizophrenia and associated symptoms.

If you suffer from schizophrenia and believe CBD may want to be your treatment option of choice schedule an appointment with one of the medical marijuana doctors at our facility, please visit our online portal. If you have any questions about the proper application of medical marijuana for your situation, please contact us at (719) 246-0393 or email us your questions at hello@medicalalternativesclinics.com. We offer convenient same day appointments for current and prospective medical marijuana patients, and we can help you get your MMJ Red Card in three days or less! Get in touch with any of our Medical Marijuana Doctors in Colorado Springs to start the process.