The Development of Cannabidiol as a Psychiatric Therapeutic: A Review of Its Antipsychotic Efficacy and Possible Underlying Pharmacodynamic Mechanisms
Journal Title: International Neuropsychiatric Disease Journal - Year 2013, Vol 1, Issue 2
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a once-considered inert cannabis constituent, is one of two primary constituents of cannabis, alongside delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC/THC). In the last 30 years, CBD has become implicated with a range of pharmaceutical mechanisms of great therapeutic interest and utility. This review details the literature speculating CBD’s attenuation of psychotic symptoms, particularly in light of a marked elevation in mean THC concentrations, and a concomitant decline in CBD concentrations in the prevalent U.K street market cannabis derivatives since c. 2000. CBD is purported to exhibit pharmacology akin to established atypical antipsychotics, whilst THC has been implicated with the precipitation of psychosis, and the induction of associated symptoms. The aim of the review was to clarify the conjecture surrounding CBD’s antipsychotic efficacy, before going on to detail prominent theories about its associated pharmacodynamics. Were CBD’s antipsychotic efficacy established, then there is potential for major latent anthropological repercussions to manifest, such as significant elevations in psychosis manifestations in the U.K. The review found a largely affirmative body of evidence asserting CBD’s antipsychotic efficacy. CBD exhibited capacity to attenuate natural and artificially induced psychoses in both animal and human cohorts, the latter of which included individuals considered resistant to conventional treatment. CBD also shows promising potential for use as an antipsychotic drug for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with psychosis, owing to its low rate of extra-pyramidal side-effect induction. A range of potential pharmacological mechanisms behind CBD’s neuroleptic pharmacology are outlined, with particular emphasis on its prevention of the hydrolysis and reuptake of the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide. However, given the nebular aetiological basis for psychoses, explicit conclusions on how CBD attenuates psychotic symptoms remains to be determined.
Authors and Affiliations
Shahin AM Jalali, William E. Johnson
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP241217
- DOI 10.9734/INDJ/2013/6192
- Views 148
- Downloads 0
Caregivers Burden as Risk Factor against Quality of Life of Caregivers of Cerebral Palsy Patients: Moderating Role of Social Support
The consequences of living with a chronic condition such as Cerebral Palsy (CP) do not only affect the child but other members of the family. However, researchers have neglected the caregivers in their quest for the cons...
Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging of the Brain: Correlation of Ischemic Lesion Patterns with ASCO Stroke Subtypes
Background: There are many etiologies for ischemic cerebral stroke. Previous studies have not shown whether specific ischemic lesion patterns on early brain diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) are associated with specific i...
Accuracy of Hyperintense Cerebrospinal Fluid Signals (CSF) on Inversion Recovery (IR) Images of Brain in the Diagnosis of Meningitis-a Cost Effective Experience from Third World Country
Objective: To detect the diagnostic accuracy of inversion recovery sequence in detection of meningitis taking cerebrospinal fluid as the gold standard. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in Aga Khan Universit...
Can Sonography Replace Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Velocity in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Purpose of the Study: To justify the efficacy of the ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the postoperative follow-up in comparison to electrodiagnostic tests [electromyography (EMG) a...
Headache Due to Cerebral Venous Thrombosis after Carbonmonoxide Intoxication
Carbon monoxide; CO is a colourless, odourless, tasteless and non-irritant type of gas. CO emerges as a consequence of poor combustion of carbon-based fuels, which can lead to acute and chronic poisoning. Despite the sam...