All posts tagged: schizophrenia

Cannabinoids Further Demonstrate Therapeutic Potential in Interactions with Adrenaline and Serotonin Systems

November 7, 2019 Adult, Behavior change, Biosynthesis, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, Depression, Future Medicine, Genetics, Mental Health, Neuropathy, Obesity, Pain, Schizophrenia

Regulation of noradrenergic and serotonergic systems by cannabinoids: relevance to cannabinoid-induced effects

In Summary:

Among many system-wide interactive effects, the noradrenergic and serotonergic hormone/signaling systems are responsible for pain, mood, arousal, wakefulness, learning, anxiety, and feelings of reward. A recent review dives deeper into the interactions between cannabinoids and these two systems: cannabinoids play roles in exciting, inhibiting, and regulating the nerve activity and feedback of both the noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. This data further underscores the therapeutic potential of cannabis for conditions such as depression, chronic pain, and insomnia, all of which are mediated, at least in part, by these systems. Further research may uncover more specific therapies targeted toward the noradrenergic and serotonergic systems and their interactions with cannabinoids.

Dr. Caplan and the #MDTake:

It would be shocking to imagine that, in addition to the usual fruits and vegetables on display at supermarkets, all of a sudden, there was a new category of healthy food. Similarly, the recognition that cannabinoids play a central role in animal physiology is embarrassingly recent. Surveying a sea of illnesses that have become increasingly common, over the last hundred years, before which cannabis was a common household product, also begs the question about a relationship between the circumstances. Might some of the common maladies of modern medicine be attributable to a cannabinoid deficiency syndrome?

A Schematic overview for regulation of NA/LC and 5-HT/DRN cells by the CB1 receptor

Neurochemical Evidence for cannabinoid-induced effects

Electrophysiological evidence for acute effects of cannabinoids on neuronal activity

Neurochemical evidence for cannabinoid-induced effects in the locus coeruleus

Functional evidence fo cannabinoid-induced effects

Electrophysiological evidence for acute effects of cannabinoids

View this review (yellow link) or download:

Regulation of noradrenergic and serotonergic systems by cannabinoids: relevance to cannabinoid-induced effectsDownload

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2pS3mMn inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Natural & Cannabinoid Changes in Dopamine: A key to the psychosis question?

August 25, 2019 Adolescents, Adult, Adverse Effects, Agitation, Anxiety, Behavior change, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Science, Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), CB1, CED Foundation, Cognition, Dopamine, Psychosis, Schizophrenia

Comparing dopaminergic dynamics in the dorsolateral striatum between adolescent and adult rats- Effect of an acute dose of WIN55212-2

Brief summary:

A recent study has exposed an age-dependent mechanism within the dopaminergic system that relies on cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1). Adult and adolescent dopamine levels were examined in the presence of a CB1 agonist and increased levels of extracellular dopamine were found in adolescents. This study reveals the different effects cannabis-based medicine has depended on the age of the patient and warrants future research to ensure cannabis has the desired therapeutic effect on patients.

Dr Caplan Discussion Points:

This adds a helpful layer of insight to the way an animal model of dopamine changes over time, as well as its interaction with exogenous cannabinoids. This sheds light on the natural evolution of the dopamine control system (irrespective of how it interacts with endocannabinoids), and it also points to how cannabinoids may be involved.

This helps to educate the discussion about how psychosis and cannabis use may interact. There is a long-held understanding that dopamine abnormalities in the specific parts of the brain (mesolimbic and prefrontal brain regions) exist in schizophrenia. More recently, research has also strongly suggested that other neurotransmitters, including glutamate, GABA, acetylcholine, and serotonin are also involved in schizophrenia (and, coincidentally, there is also interaction with these other neurotransmitters from various components of cannabis). Nonetheless, this study simply suggests that, by nature, basal dopamine levels increase during adolescence. Also, the study points out that some cannabinoids boost basal levels too. It seems logical to suggest that excessive dopamine may create a problematic force of additional tipping toward illness, within individuals for whom a congenital predisposition toward illness exists.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

Comparing dopaminergic dynamics in the dorsolateral striatum between adolescent and adult rats- Effect of an acute dose of WIN55212-2 Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2HpWqM5 inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Video: Do-It-Yourself Cannabis Tinctures

July 17, 2019 Alcohol, Anti-inflammatory properties, Antibiotic, Antioxidant, Anxiety, Arthritis, Autism, Autoimmunity, Behavior change, Bipolar Disorder, Business of Cannabis, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis News, Case Study, CBD, CBN, CED Clinic, CED In The News, Cognition, Colon Cancer, Cooking, Cultivation, Cultivation / Growing / Horticulture, Depression, Dermatology / Skin, Diabetes, DIY, Dosing, Dr Caplan, Edibles, Epilepsy, Extraction, Farming, Fibromyalgia, Flavonoids, Future Medicine, Gastrointestinal Effects, Hemp, History, IBS, Insomnia, Male Fertility, Memory, Mental Health, Mood, Muscle Pain, Nausea, Neuropathy, Obesity, OCD, Opiates, Oral Health, Pain, Pediatrics, Processing, Products, Prostate Cancer, Psychosis, PTSD, Schizophrenia, Seizure / Epilepsy, Sleep, Sleep Apnea, Stigma, Stress, Taste, THC, Topical, Video

One of the terrific realities of modern Cannabis is that it is possible, and often quite simple, to make effective products at home. With suitable education and access to testing facilities, the soil, nutrients, and plant growth can be supported at home, lab-tested for make-up and potency, as well as safety-checked for potential microscopic contaminants, and ultimately, individualized medicine can be created right at home!

Here is a sample instructional for just one way that cannabis tincture can be made at home. There are countless others and hopefully, many that are yet to be discovered!

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Supplementing Antipsychotics with CBD Enhances Psychotic Symptom Treatment

July 10, 2019 Adverse Effects, Anxiety, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Dependence, Cannabis Science, Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), CBD, Cognition, Mental Health, Parkinson's Disease, Placebo-Controlled, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Science, Stress, THC

Cannabidiol (CBD) as an Adjunctive Therapy in Schizophrenia: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Most schizophrenia medications function by blocking the action of the dopamine D2 receptor and effectively treat positive psychotic symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations, but fail to treat negative psychotic symptoms, such as lack of motivation or the lack of an ability to feel pleasure. Anecdotal evidence has pointed toward the potential for CBD to attenuate psychotic symptoms in conjunction with normally prescribed antipsychotics; additionally, CBD is not hypothesized to act on the D2 receptor, suggesting that it may afford unique advantages over anti-psychotics.

Researchers interested in further exploring this conducted the first known placebo-controlled CBD trial among schizophrenia patients. Although results did not suggest a potential for CBD to treat negative psychotic symptoms, in conjunction with antipsychotics, the CBD group experienced marked lower levels of positive psychotic symptoms. Both the placebo and CBD groups experienced equal levels of treatment-induced adverse events, suggesting that CBD is well-tolerated.

These results suggest that CBD may be effective in treating not only schizophrenia but also psychotic symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease and THC-induced psychosis.

Additional Point: CBD has shown to act in a neuroprotective manner and reduce the psychoactive effects of THC, making it a viable option for patients who have experienced negative side effects with THC.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

Cannabidiol (CBD) as an Adjunctive Therapy in Schizophrenia- A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2WztI04 inside the CED Foundation Archive

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The Relationship between Cannabis and Schizophrenia

July 3, 2019 Abuse, Addiction, Anxiety, Behavior change, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, Cognition, DSM-5, Future Medicine, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Science, Stigma, Stress

Cannabis and Psychosis: Are We any Closer to Understanding the Relationship?

Despite the constant technological gains in medicine, there is still insufficient information and knowledge about who is at risk of developing cannabis psychosis prior to an individual’s exposure to cannabis. Controlled research is limited due to the legal status of cannabis but the growing number of states legalizing medicinal and recreational use of cannabis will likely provide a naturalistic experiment that will produce a prevention strategy for the condition. Current schizophrenia research is limited to western male populations and an overemphasis on the biological model; future research should extend to a more diverse population and sociocultural factors that may lead to schizophrenia.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

Cannabis and Psychosis- Are We any Closer to Understanding the Relationship?Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2FcDVJR inside the CED Foundation Archive

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High-potency cannabis and incident psychosis: correcting the causal assumption

June 15, 2019 Adverse Effects, Anxiety, Behavior change, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis News, CB1, CB2, CBD, Cognition, DSM-5, Hypomania, Mental Health, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, THC

Scientists offer a strong counter-position to the belief that cannabis causes psychosis, pointing out the difference between correlation and causation. They argue that smoke exposure from any source (including cigarettes) could explain the reported link between cannabis and psychosis.

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High-potency cannabis and incident psychosis- correcting the causal assumption Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2WHtDr8 inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Clinical indicators of treatment-resistant psychosis

June 7, 2019 Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, Psychosis, Schizophrenia

Study shows that cannabis use can contribute to increased risk of treatment-resistant psychosis

Clinical indicators of treatment-resistant psychosis Download

Does cannabis cause psychosis? Evidence is lacking, scientists say

June 5, 2019 Cannabis, Cannabis Science, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Science

A study in March found that daily use of high-potency cannabis is “strongly linked to the risk of developing psychosis.” But on June 1st, six scientists published a study in The Lancet, a British medical journal, that disputed this claim. The authors of the study note that correlation doesn’t equal causation. In other words, people with schizophrenia may be more likely to use cannabis, but there’s no evidence to suggest that it works the other way around. #psychosis #schizophrenia
The news: http://bit.ly/2WeuM9E
The articles & academic commentary: http://bit.ly/2Wf04wT

A systematic review of the effect of cannabidiol on cognitive function: Relevance to schizophrenia

June 1, 2019 Alzheimer's Disease, Cannabis Science, CBD, Schizophrenia

CBD Shows Promise for Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and Brain Injury Patients

A meta-analysis of previous studies investigating cannabidiol’s (CBD) potential to improve cognitive function among schizophrenia and brain injury patients offers hope to doctors and patients. In experiments on both human patients and rat models of schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s Disease, hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, hepatic encephalopathy, sepsis, pneumococcal meningitis, and cerebral malaria, the administration of CBD reduced neuroinflammation and resulting deficits in spatial learning and memory, recognition memory, and associative learning. Read more or download PDF on the CED Foundation Archive: http://bit.ly/2W1PpW8

In this same review, further investigating the effect of the non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) on cognitive function suggests CBD counteracts the cognitive deficiencies induced by the psychoactive component of cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Studies performed on humans and rat models demonstrated that CBD can improve episodic and recognition memory, verbal and visual learning and memory, and working memory, all skills which are usually impaired by THC content. For patients looking to reduce the aforementioned undesirable effects of cannabis, strains or products with high CBD and low THC content may be a viable solution.