Can we treat bipolarity with CBD?

WHAT CAUSES BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Until now, researchers have not been able to identify that it is the cause. Factors that may come into play are external or internal or are hereditary disposition. For example, a traumatic situation in the subject's life may be a trigger.

Also, biological factors appear to be involved as well. Studies have shown that patients experiencing a manic phase may have high levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, which are messenger substances. On the other hand, it has also been noted that depressed people generally have low concentrations of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are also messenger substances. Therefore, it could be concluded that the balance of messenger substances is disturbed in the individuals in question.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF CBD IN THE TREATMENT OF BIPOLAR DISORDER?

The most commonly used form of cannabis is CBD oil. This is an all-natural plant-based extract consisting of cannabinoids. These are feel-good molecules naturally produced by the body. According to scientists, the antipsychotic properties of CBD could be beneficial for patients with bipolar disorder. Also, according to other reports, CBD has anticonvulsant effects and has a protective action against glutamate toxicity. It is also capable of stabilizing mood.

Recently, some scientists have suggested that CBD may have antipsychotic properties. After a placebo-controlled case study of a subject with schizophrenia, the antipsychotic effects of high-dose oral CBD were noticed. After four weeks of therapy, the patient experienced a marked improvement in these symptoms.

THE INFLUENCE OF CBD ON MENTAL DISORDERS

Many studies have shown that cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, such as CBD or THC, may have therapeutic properties on anxiety and depression. The full extent to which cannabinoids may influence symptoms related to bipolar disorder is still far from being explored.

In the United Kingdom and specifically at Lancaster University, 24 bipolar patients who used cannabis recreationally a minimum of 3 times per week were selected. They were asked to keep a diary. For six days, these patients transcribed how cannabis use impacted manic or depressive episodes.

In conclusion, cannabis can be linked to several psychological consequences. However, it should be noted that this study did not provide evidence that subjects with mental disorders use cannabis recreationally for the treatment of more or less minor fluctuations in bipolar disorder.

However, the results obtained at Harvard Medical School are much more accomplished. Here it was observed that five subjects benefited from cannabis to better combat their emotional instability, which can sometimes seem extreme.

The University of Oslo also got wet. It used 140 schizophrenic subjects and 133 bipolar subjects. She wanted to examine the impact of cannabis on neurocognitive functions. On this front, patients with bipolar showed better abilities compared to those with schizophrenia.

MEDICAL CANNABIS AND DEPRESSION

An encouraging therapeutic target, the endocannabinoid system, can be activated by the intake of medical cannabinoids. Indeed, studies have shown that psychiatric patients are at risk for impaired cannabinoid signaling.

Both THC and CBD appear to have the therapeutic properties required to combat the symptoms of depression. Spanish scientists have managed to prove in their studies that CBD can bind to the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor. This to have an antidepressant effect. Brazilian scientists have also managed to demonstrate the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of CBD.

WHAT CAN WE CONCLUDE THEN?

Currently, there are very few studies around the world examining the action of medical cannabis in the resolution of bipolar disorder. The few studies that have been identified to date show that cannabinoids are not wildly effective during a manic phase. On the other hand, there have been many more studies on the therapeutic properties of cannabis against depression. Thus, one can easily say that it is quite possible to use medical cannabis as a support during a depressive episode.

However, it should be remembered that bipolar patients very often use cannabis for recreational purposes. Therefore, abuse could be encouraged. For this reason, therapy should be carefully considered.