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 160
- Downloads 0
Can Glycosylated Hemoglobin and C-reactive Protein Levels Predict Development of Subclinical Neuropathy in Pre-diabetics?
Background: Individuals with elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) have a higher rate of microvascular complications, especially peripheral neuropathy. Objective: To find the relation between elevated (HbA1c) an...
A Facility-based Assessment of Internalized Stigma among Patients with Severe Mental Illnesses in Maiduguri, North-Eastern Nigeria
Introduction: Public stigmatization of mental illnesses might lead to the internalization of the stigma by persons with mental illness (PWMIs) which might also lead to erosion of self-esteem and negative consequences on...
Roles of PI3K/AKT/PTEN Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease and the Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantianigra caused by severe neuro-degeneration, which is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Al...
Personality Traits, Depression and Anxiety among Cerebro-vascular Stroke Patients: An Egyptian Study
Background: Over the past several decades, the relationship between personality traits, depression, anxiety and stroke has interested to clinicians and researchers. Objective: Evaluation of personality traits, depressio...
Acute Human Herpesvirus-7-associated Encephalitis in a Young Adult Coinfected with Herpes Simplex Virus -1/2 and Epstein-Barr Virus
Background: Herpesvirus encephalitis (HVE) is a serious threat to people's health and life. The most common cause of these is herpes simplex virus. On the contrary, only isolated cases of encephalitis associated with her...