Many psychiatrists and other mental health professionals agree that schizophrenia is one of the most challenging disorders to successfully treat. For one thing, antipsychotic medications generally come with troubling and sometimes dangerous side effects, which makes medication compliance a serious issue. Consequently, starting and stopping these medications can contribute to poor physical health and at times, earlier death. Because of these concerns and many more, the search for a safer and possibly all-natural treatment that can be taken with or without antipsychotics is taking place around the globe.
Schizophrenia and Commonly Prescribed Antipsychotics
In order to gain an appreciation of how CBD can help manage symptoms in combination with antipsychotic drugs, a brief overview of schizophrenia and some commonly prescribed antipsychotic medications is provided. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects both cognition and behavior. People are generally diagnosed between the ages of 16 to 30, most likely after their first psychotic episode. Psychotic symptoms include hallucinations, delusions and disordered thought. Some people withdraw from others, lose interest in daily activities and have difficulty functioning.
The first line of treatment for schizophrenia is usually prescribing antipsychotic medications as well as other psychiatric drugs like antidepressants and mood stabilizers. The most commonly prescribed antipsychotics include:
- Geodon
- Risperdal
- Seroquel
- Zyprexa
- Invega
- Latuda
- Clozaril
- Rexulti
- Abilify
There are many other similar medications that are prescribed for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. One of the main problems with these medications is the potential for negative side effects. Some of the most common side effects include:
- Tardive dyskinesia or uncontrolled facial muscle movements
- Akathisia or the inability to hold the body still
- Parkinsonian-like tremors
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome – a potentially deadly complication
- Cardiovascular problems
- Serious interactions with other medications
- Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar
- Hyperlipidemia or high cholesterol
- Dizziness
- Sedation
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Urinary retention
It may be easy to see why an individual with schizophrenia may want to stop taking their medication. Although troubled by their psychotic symptoms, these additional side effects can make the individual feel worse, and therefore discontinue use without letting their mental health professional know.
The Case for Combining CBD and Antipsychotic Medications
According to multiple studies examining the effects of CBD on symptoms of schizophrenia while subjects were also administered antipsychotic medication, several findings emerged. McGuire et al, in their article “Cannabidiol (CBD) as an Adjunctive Therapy in Schizophrenia: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial” report that “The data indicate that 6 weeks of treatment adjunctive to antipsychotic medication was associated with significant effects both on positive psychotic symptoms and on the treating clinician’s impressions of improvements in cognitive performance”. They also found that CBD had positive effects on subjects’ cognition, especially motor speed and executive function.
Other studies point to the mechanisms of action that CBD has in the brain of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. First, CBD interacts with serotonin receptors which helps with mood and anxiety. Second, CBD regulates dopamine levels and reduces psychotic symptoms. Third, and a well-known feature of CBD, it reduces neuroinflammation which is a biochemical hallmark of schizophrenia. Fourth, CBD shows good antioxidant properties and neutralizes oxidative stress which protects brain cells. And, fifth, CBD has well-known neuroprotectant qualities which safeguards neuronal integrity and overall brain health.
Final Thoughts on CBD, Antipsychotics and Schizophrenia
Although in very early stages, research on the use of CBD alongside antipsychotic medication is gaining ground with some impressive results. One takeaway for the justification of providing both substances is that they act differently in the body and brain. CBD is safe, has very few to no side effects and is highly tolerable. All of this and more make it a prime candidate for treating schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
References
- Lisboa, J.R. et al. Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Schizophrenia. Psychiatric Annals, 53(6): 252-255, 2023.
- McGuire et al. Cannabidiol (CBD) as an Adjunctive Therapy in Schizophrenia: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial, American Journal of Psychiatry, 175:3, 2018.
- Singh, V. et al. Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Neurological Disorders: A Comprehensive Review. Behavioral Neurology, 2023.
- Volker, Sebastian Denis et al. Investigating Cannabidiol’s Potential as a Supplementary Treatment for Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review. European Journal of Pharmacology, Volume 979, 2024.