The Role of Cannabis within an Emerging Perspective on Schizophrenia

• Main Authors: Jegason P. Diviant, Jacob M. Vigil, Sarah S. Stith
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-08-01
• Series: Medicines
• Subjects: schizophrenia; cannabis; marijuana; autoimmunity; monoamine therapy; mental illness; cannabidiol; tetrahydrocannabinol; endocannabinoid system
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/5/3/86

Background: Approximately 0.5% of the population is diagnosed with some form of schizophrenia, under the prevailing view that the pathology is best treated using pharmaceutical medications that act on monoamine receptors. Methods: We briefly review evidence on the impact of environmental forces, particularly the effect of autoimmune activity, in the expression of schizophrenic profiles and the role of Cannabis therapy for regulating immunological functioning. Results: A review of the literature shows that phytocannabinoid consumption may be a safe and effective treatment option for schizophrenia as a primary or adjunctive therapy. Conclusions: Emerging research suggests that Cannabis can be used as a treatment for schizophrenia within a broader etiological perspective that focuses on environmental, autoimmune, and neuroinflammatory causes of the disorder, offering a fresh start and newfound hope for those suffering from this debilitating and poorly understood disease.