Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the ingredients of the cannabis plant that contains little or no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). There is emerging research that CBD can reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia, but a person should not use the compound as an alternative to medical treatment.
Emerging research suggests which can reduce some symptoms of schizophrenia. However, it is not a substitute for medical treatment, i smoking cannabis with a high potency of THC may worsen the symptoms of schizophrenia or increase the risk of psychosis.
Cannabidiol is one of the ingredients of cannabis. CBD oil contains little or no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that causes euphoria, or a “high.”
Although the research on CBD for schizophrenia is promising, many studies are very small or of low quality. Also, no research has shown that CBD can cure schizophrenia or that it is a better treatment method than antipsychotics.
Is important in treating schizophrenia with the remedies a doctor recommends, such as antipsychotics, to prevent the condition from getting worse and to improve long-term outcomes. If a person wants to try supplementing their treatment with CBD, it is important to discuss this with a doctor first.
This article discusses the research behind CBD oil and schizophrenia, the benefits and potential risks of using this compound and other alternative treatments.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 farm bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved over-the-counter CBD products, and some products may be mislabeled.
Emerging evidence suggests that CBD products may help schizophrenia. However, studies are generally of low quality and inconsistent with regard to dosing and study design.
Also, people should not use CBD products without first contacting a healthcare professional. A person should not use CBD as a substitute for medical treatment.
Importantly, many studies of CBD for schizophrenia do not use CBD oil. Since CBD oil is a supplement, dosage and strength vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. This means that a person may get a different result each time they use it.
A 2022 review highlights that CBD has low oral bioavailability. This means that consuming CBD oil may be less effective than other forms of this compound.
Evidence CBD helps schizophrenia
A 2021 review highlights the potential benefits of CBD in early-stage schizophrenia. Researchers claim that CBD can change the levels of several brain chemicals that have an association with psychosis. For example, CBD can increase anandamide levels in the brain, which can reduce symptoms of psychosis.
Another recent systematic review found slight evidence that CBD could reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia at high doses. The review notes that a 4-week trial of 800 milligrams (mg) of CBD led to similar results to amisulpride, an antipsychotic drug, in alleviating psychosis and improving cognition.
In two 6-week trials of people on antipsychotic drugs who also took CBD, the compound did no better than a placebo at 600 mg per day. At 1,000 mg, it reduced the symptoms of schizophrenia. However, this sample did not exclude people who used cannabis recreationally or those who had an addiction to cannabis.
The evidence that CBD does not help schizophrenia
However, research also suggests that CBD may have no benefit for schizophrenia. For example, in a Study 2018researchers gave 600 milligrams of CBD or a placebo daily to a group of 36 people with schizophrenia for 6 weeks.
The placebo group showed more improvement than the CBD group, and those taking CBD developed more symptoms of sedation.
Research into the benefits of using CBD for schizophrenia is still ongoing. However, there is some evidence that CBD may have potential benefits when managing this condition.
CBD can be effective during the early stages of psychosis, as it has antipsychotic effects. The compound affects brain chemistry with minimal side effects such as diarrhea.
In addition, there are some evidence that CBD does not interact with antipsychotic medication. People taking CBD along with antipsychotic medications are unlikely to experience any additional worsening of mood, suicidal thoughts, or movement changes.
A specific risk for people with schizophrenia is that a person may substitute standard treatments, such as antipsychotic drugs, with CBD.
research suggests that treating schizophrenia early can improve long-term outcomes, such as preventing the disease from getting progressively worse. People who delay treatment in favor of CBD may find that their schizophrenia symptoms become less manageable.
Other, more general, risks of using CBD can be to include:
liver damage at high doses, or if a person takes CBD along with drugs such as lomitapide, mipomersen, pexidartinib, leflunomide, teriflunomide, or valproate fatigue or low energy and increased risk of suicidal thoughts drug interactions
While CBD can ease the symptoms of schizophrenia, THC, another ingredient in cannabis, can make them worse. For example, a Study 2019 found that users of high-potency cannabis had a more than fourfold increase in the risk of developing psychosis.
However, it is important to note that scientists have not found THC or cannabis to cause psychosis. There are other factors that may play a role.
Scientists have not proven that any alternative treatment for schizophrenia works. It is important to remember that any alternative remedy, including CBD, is not an adequate substitute for medical care.
However, a holistic approach that incorporates lifestyle support, education and medication can help improve the symptoms of schizophrenia. Healthcare professionals may recommend the following in addition to antipsychotic drugs:
Recent research suggests that CBD may have some potential benefits in controlling the symptoms of schizophrenia. However, the evidence is inconclusive and more research is needed.
A person who is interested in trying alternative treatments, such as CBD, should contact a doctor to discuss the potential benefits and risks. People should not use any alternative remedies as a substitute for medical care.