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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by magicpill on May 25, 2007, at 12:42:37
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6606931.stm
Apparently an ingredient in cannabis called cannabidiol (CBD) relieves psychosis. Smoking cannabis is not a good idea, though, since tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) competes with CBD and has the potential to *cause* psychosis.
(I've always wondered why I was so stupid and smoked cannabis for years even though my psychotic symptoms got worse. Maybe I wasn't so stupid after all... :-)
Posted by linkadge on May 25, 2007, at 14:11:21
In reply to Cannabis extract relieves psychosis, posted by magicpill on May 25, 2007, at 12:42:37
Interesting. I have always had reserves about the notion that THC causes schizophrenia. Even if a study finds that THC can mimic symptoms of psychosis for a while, they still have not proven that it actually *causes* the types of problems that will persist after the drug is discontinued.
Its just like how ritalin or amphetamines can cause temporary psychotic symtpoms in some people, but they very rarely cause permamant psychosis.
Linkadge
Posted by magicpill on May 25, 2007, at 15:03:10
In reply to Re: Cannabis extract relieves psychosis, posted by linkadge on May 25, 2007, at 14:11:21
Yeah, whenever I smoke cannabis I only *temporary* experience a worsening of my pre-existing psychotic symptoms. I've yet to meet anyone who has become permanently psychotic from cannabis.
Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2007, at 16:52:21
In reply to Re: Cannabis extract relieves psychosis, posted by linkadge on May 25, 2007, at 14:11:21
What about marinol? And the food from Canada that is really Marijuana? Love Phillipa
Posted by magicpill on May 27, 2007, at 8:37:53
In reply to Cannabis extract relieves psychosis, posted by magicpill on May 25, 2007, at 12:42:37
Posted by magicpill on May 27, 2007, at 8:41:29
In reply to Link to research paper, posted by magicpill on May 27, 2007, at 8:37:53
http://society.guardian.co.uk/drugsandalcohol/story/0,,2069282,00.html
Cannabis chemical curbs psychotic symptoms, study finds
James Randerson, science correspondent
Tuesday May 1, 2007
The GuardianOne of the active chemicals in cannabis inhibits psychotic symptoms in people with schizophrenia, according to a study which compared it with a leading anti-psychotic drug. Although the finding could lead to new treatments for schizophrenia, scientists think it may also explain why cases of cannabis-induced psychosis are apparently on the rise.
Most cannabis research focuses on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient that produces the high. Recent studies have shown THC makes symptoms of schizophrenia worse and triggers the condition in a small proportion of users.But the new research shows that another chemical, cannabidiol (CBD), has the opposite effect. "One possibility is that there are good guys and bad guys within cannabis," said Markus Leweke, of the University of Cologne. He and his team compared the effects of CBD and a leading anti-psychotic drug, Amisulpride, on 42 patients with schizophrenia. After four weeks the symptoms of both groups had improved, but those treated with CBD suffered fewer side-effects.
"Maybe the cannabidiol ameliorates some of the effects of the THC and maybe it actually might be good for you if you are psychotic," said Robin Murray, of the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London. They reported their research at the second International Cannabis and Mental Health Conference in London.
There is anecdotal evidence that the number of patients in the UK with psychotic symptoms linked to cannabis use is increasing. Professor Murray speculated that this may be linked to the increased THC content of herbal cannabis sold on the street. Cannabis on sale today has roughly doubled in strength in the last decade.
In a second set of experiments, researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry have shown how THC acts on the brain to induce paranoia. "By using brain scanning you can look in real time at the effect of the different components of the cannabis on healthy people and see how it's affecting the healthy brain," said Philip McGuire, a brain imaging expert at King's College London.
The team gave subjects a dose of THC or a placebo and then observed which areas of the brain were active while they performed a computer task that involved stopping certain movements. All volunteers were healthy men between 20 and 40 who had used the drug fewer than 15 times.
By looking at the difference in brain activity between placebo and THC groups, the researchers identified a region that is involved in controlling inappropriate behaviour. Those with the biggest reduction in the activity of that brain region also experienced more paranoid symptoms.
"One possible interpretation of that is the paranoia is being driven by interfering with this area of the brain," said Professor McGuire.
Posted by linkadge on May 27, 2007, at 9:02:39
In reply to Better article than the BBC article, posted by magicpill on May 27, 2007, at 8:41:29
Interesting article. Sounds like a promising agent.
Hopefully, it might become a prototype for more effective antipsychotic agents. Interesting that even the high doses caused very little catalepsy.
Might be better for negative symtpoms.Perhaps the change in the ratio of these two constituents is responsable for associations with psychosis. If people just left the cannabis alone, and stopped trying to make it "more addictive", then perhaps it would be much safer.
Probably best to grow your own.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on May 27, 2007, at 9:04:56
In reply to Better article than the BBC article, posted by magicpill on May 27, 2007, at 8:41:29
But at least it adds some credability to the possability that people are indeed using the agent to help treat their symptoms.
Perhaps they found relief at some point with cannabis containing high levels of this substance.
The two times I smoked, one was good (blissfull, laughing etc) and the other was a bit more scarry. Perhaps there was a difference in the ratio of the constituents.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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