Researchers have found that CBD can alter the levels of several brain chemicals associated with psychosis. A review of the evidence suggests that CBD may be effective in reducing symptoms of psychosis, but more large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm this. Additionally, randomized controlled trials should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of CBD in treating cannabis cravings and withdrawal in people with schizophrenia and concurrent CUD. A single dose of CBD was found to normalize brain function in high-risk individuals in areas where abnormal activation was observed under placebo conditions.
This suggests that younger patients in an earlier phase of the disease may benefit more from CBD treatment, as early intervention may prevent more serious neural changes from occurring. It is important to note that CBD works differently than dopamine receptor antagonists, and could represent a new class of antipsychotic treatment. If you have schizophrenia and are taking any medications, it is essential that you speak to your doctor before trying CBD. A recent review of CBD dosing in patients with different types of diseases suggests that higher doses tend to improve therapeutic outcomes compared to lower doses.
Phase II clinical trials of CBD are currently being planned for the psychosis of Parkinson's disease and the behavioral symptoms (including psychotic symptoms) of Alzheimer's disease. If the success seen in initial clinical studies is repeated in large scale trials with chronic administration, CBD could become the first approved non-dopaminergic treatment for psychosis. CBD has also been indicated as a potential treatment for people at high risk of developing psychosis.
