A study on CBD cigarettes revealed that they may be associated with a reduction in medication use by patients with Schizophrenia.
A new study has focused on whether the use of CBD may have resulted in patients being able to reduce their antipsychotic medications.
Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition that can cause a range of psychological symptoms. Sometimes patients with schizophrenia may find it difficult to separate their own thoughts from reality. Symptoms can also include hallucinations, delusions and confusing thoughts.
The National Institute For Health And Clinical Excellence (NICE) estimates the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia and related disorders is 14.5 per 1,000 people in the UK.
A team of researchers from Canada, Switzerland and Germany recruited 31 patients with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. The patients were divided into two groups, those who were given a placebo and those who were given CBD rich cigarettes for 28 days. The cigarettes and placebos were given alongside the patients regular treatment which included medication. The patients in the study also had a history of tobacco use disorder, with some using cannabis.
Tobacco use disorder refers to people who are dependent on nicotine because of their use of tobacco products. Patients with mental health conditions are considered to be at a higher risk for tobacco use disorder.
Schizophrenia study results
The researchers reported that both the placebo and CBD groups reported a reduction in psychotic symptoms and depression. However, those in the CBD group, used fewer antipsychotic medications while in the study.
The patients in the placebo group increased their prescription medication during this time.
The authors wrote: “The main group effects in the discontinuous multilevel model were higher subjective well-being and less overall antipsychotic medication use throughout the acute therapy for the CBD-group. These results may suggest an antipsychotic medication sparing effect of CBD-cigarettes as adjunctive therapy in acutely psychotic patients.”
The study was published in the journal, Frontiers in Psychiatry.
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