With the popularity of CBD on a consistent rise, you have likely heard about the health benefits it can provide. From pain relief to the alleviation of cancer-related symptoms, CBD has been found to provide aid to a variety of different health conditions.  

Less talked about, however, is the help CBD can offer in regard to mental health issues. 

Yes, CBD is well-known to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression but what about psychosis, for example?  

While it may seem unlikely that any form of natural medication could have a positive impact on the symptoms of such a severe condition, scientists have begun focusing their attention on CBD as a possible treatment. 

Today we’ll be discussing how effective CBD may be in treating psychosis.

What is Psychosis?

Psychosis is a term used to describe a disruption to an individual’s overall perception of reality, making it difficult for them to distinguish the real from the imagined.  

The observable symptoms of psychosis typically involve auditory and/or visual hallucinations, a belief in bizarre ideas, and inconsistent behaviors and emotions. 

It is important to note that psychosis is categorized as a symptom rather than mental illness in itself and is, unfortunately, more common than you may think.  

Sadly, it is estimated that around 100,000 young adults experience the first episode of psychosis annually in the United States alone.

A person that is suffering from a psychotic episode may experience anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, lack of motivation, and overall difficulty functioning in their day to day life. 

How is Psychosis Usually Treated?

Conventional treatment methods of psychosis typically involve a combination of different approaches. These methods usually include medication, counseling, and support from either family or a support group. 

Antipsychotic medications are prescribed in most instances of psychosis. These treatments work by altering the brain’s chemicals, dopamine in particular, and usually take several weeks to show any drastic improvements. 

It is important to note that some antipsychotic medications can cause side effects including but not limited to:

• Drowsiness
• Restlessness
• Weight gain
• Metabolic issues
• Dizziness
• Change in sexual libido
• Involuntary muscle movements
• Seizures
• Drop-in white blood cell count

Using CBD to Treat Psychosis

In the past, there has been a lot of talk concerning the link between cannabis and psychosis. 

As a whole, the scientific community presented a very different picture to the public, reporting that cannabis use was more likely to induce psychosis than to offer relief. 

As of lately, there has been much research done that contradicts these claims. 

A study published in the international scientific journal, Neuropsychopharmacology, showed particularly promising results on the subject of utilizing CBD as a treatment for psychosis. 

In the study, investigators in both the United Kingdom and the Netherlands reviewed a collection of preclinical and clinical data on the use of CBD as a treatment for psychosis.  

Authors found that the administration of CBD as an antipsychotic agent was found to improve the symptoms of patients suffering from psychotic episodes due to illnesses such as schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease.  

The investigators also made note of a double-blind clinical trial that involved giving 42 case subjects suffering from either acute paranoia or schizophrenia either CBD or the popular antipsychotic medication known as amisulpride.  

The results found that “both CBD and the prescription drug” were associated with “equally significant clinical improvement” but that CBD “possessed significantly fewer side effects” as compared to amisulpride.