Cannabidiol reduces brain activity linked to hallucinations, delusions

Brain scans show how cannabis extract may help people with psychosis | Science | The Guardian

Interesting.
Thanks for sharing.

WC

Hi WC,
Once cannabis is legalized in Canada (mid October 2018). I will try a high cbd strain, but it will probably put me to sleep. Have you tried cbd for sleep?

I have tried mmj. It isn't enough on it's own.
When I look into extracts, I may find more options.

WC

This is thesadgirl, just so you know before I jump in.

I already have a script for pot, however the will no longer write them for bipolar patients as thc can cause psychosis.

I was told to use CBD oil for anxiety. It has no effect on my sleep what so ever, but definitely does help with anxiety. THC is what will put you to sleep so I was told to take 1:1. It knocks me out, but does not keep me asleep as it wears off and it comes with the added risk of psychosis.

I am all for cannabis use, but I really think that it's like any other medication, results will vary based on the person.

Hey WC, It isn't enough on it's own but may complement and work well with other meds. Different strains have various degrees of sedation depending on the person, as LostMyMuchness says. It is worth a careful investigation. MJ is complicated. Hopefully in a few years they will have results of more randomized placebo controlled studies, like this one, but larger and long term. I like the idea of doing scans instead of relying on people's reporting of symptoms, and if it can be used one day to treat psychosis that would be awesome.

as LMM says THC promotes psychosis so one has to deal with CBD and THC differently.

MJ is not an elilixire. Aparently, a person only needs the CBD part for psychosis. Perhaps this is true for anxiety, and possibly depression? I do not know. So perhaps a strain with some THC but mostly CBD will work better. Perhaps this is the first to try. Also the THC part may be enough to help sleep. It is too bad it is not legal in Arizona. I would definitely use the stuff.

I find the THC helpful. I have not had any psychosis with or without THC.
BPII. I've tried a few strains. Will probably try a few more.

While I have used mmj along with other prescribed meds, I also question the interactions. I have concerns. We know so little about mmj in all its strains and forms. I really cannot openly suggest its use until more is known about the safety of drug interactions.

It's great to share info!


WC

Typically reductionist logic in that article though - just because CBD downregulates those parts of the brain in the lab doesn't mean that translates into a clinical benefit in real life for people with psychosis. If it did then why wouldn't the CBD in MJ counteract the psychosis inducing effects of THC? What they haven't considered is that the reason for that is that CBD takes on a regulatory function that is normally provided by one of the brain's own endocannabinoids, making it harder for the brain to self regulate and undermining defences against psychosis.

What this study does highlight is the link between certain psychotic symptoms and dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system which in itself is useful to know.

Hi Carmina

The article says that CBD may turn into a medication for psychosis, not that this proves that it will. You have to start somewhere and I am happy to see at least a little bit of serious research into cannabis products and serious mental illness. I don't disagree with the rest of what you wrote.

THC definitely made my BPI symptoms worse, and I was dependent on it. If I experimented with CBD I's probably end up on the THC weed again with my moods all over the place.