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As more country becomes aware on the therapeutic benefits of therapeutic cannabis, there has been a renewed interest on whether cannabis can treat emotional disorders such as psychosis, depression, and anxiety which are associated with bipolar disorder. There have been conflicting results in studies with regards to the use of CBD in treating the symptoms of bipolar disorders. According to one study, the cannabidiol shows reasonable results when treating the manic episode of people with bipolar disorder. In another study, it shows that therapeutic cannabis has highly effective anti-psychotic benefits.
Neurochemistry of Therapeutic Cannabis and Bipolar Disorder
Experts believe that a dysfunctional EC (Endocannabinoid System) is associated in various emotional disorders. Modulation of this system by utilizing exogenous cannabinoids like anandamide, tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabidiol can provide amazing benefits when treating the symptoms of bipolar disorder. These compounds contain anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and antipsychotic properties that can effectively ease the symptoms. Introducing therapeutic cannabis may also influence the endogenous anandamide by hampering the intracellular metabolism of the FAAH. An increased amount of anandamide can inhibit emotional disturbance and possibly treat the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.
Another research has highlighted the role of the dopamine to those people who are suffering from bipolar disorder. The mesoaccumbens dopamine plays a significant role in motivational behaviour. Anti-psychotic drugs that are being implemented today can affect the dopamine receptors that are associated with our hyperprolactinemia. Antipsychotic drugs such as Clozapine have been proven to cause symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease. On the other hand, uncommon antipsychotic treatment can provide similar benefits without causing adverse effects.
Studies that Supports the Efficacy of Therapeutic Cannabis When Treating Bipolar Disorders Symptoms
On a study that compares the efficacy of the cannabidiol and haloperidol, they found out that CBD has the capacity to inhibit the hyperlocomotion symptoms but without resulting to catalepsy even when it is administered on an increased dosage. However, haloperidol has been discovered to cause disturbances in our prolactin. CBD has the power to mimic the therapeutic benefits of Clozapine. A separate study has supported this theory and proved that CBD has indeed exhibited properties similar to the atypical antipsychotic medication minus the side effects.
There was also a study that points out the anti-depressive effect of therapeutic cannabis. Based on the result, cannabidiol can release a swift and maintained antidepressant mechanism on animals that are showing signs of depression. CBD has also been proven to restrain the toxicity of the glutamate and delivers mood-stabilizing and anti-convulsant benefits which are quite similar to the benefits of the prescribed medication like lithium and valproate. There was also a clinical trial that shows that CBD has the power to decrease symptoms related to psychotic disorders. It can also normalize the motor skills of the patients.
Considering the studies and researches that we mentioned above, it clearly shows that therapeutic cannabis can deliver antipsychotic benefits that will help in treating mood disorders such as bipolar disorders.
CLINICAL STUDIES: RESOURCES
