Compare the Best CBD Oil for Schizophrenia in 2022

How CBD May Help With Schizophrenia

CBD (cannabidiol) is an active compound of cannabis (sometimes called marijuana). This non-psychoactive compound works with the human body’s ECS (endocannabinoid system) to maintain homeostasis⁽¹⁾. 

Homeostasis is a process by which living organisms maintain stability while adjusting to environmental conditions⁽²⁾.

The ECS is disturbed in schizophrenia⁽³⁾, characterized by a complex mental health disorder in which individuals interpret reality abnormally⁽⁴⁾. 

Individuals with schizophrenia appear to lose touch with reality. Cognitive impairments, including working memory and attention, are core characteristics of schizophrenia⁽⁵⁾.  

The endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol) are lipids naturally derived from membrane precursors that bind cannabinoid receptors, namely CB1 and CB2⁽⁶⁾. 

CB1 receptors are found in higher density in schizophrenia patients⁽⁷⁾. 

Numerous studies have suggested that it may be possible to relate CB1 receptors abnormalities to the severity of clinical symptoms in schizophrenia⁽⁸⁾.  

 Cannabidiol has a low binding affinity for the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Nevertheless, the compound may antagonize them in the presence of THC⁽⁹⁾. 

The researchers also believe that CBD may reduce the efficacy and potency of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)⁽¹⁰⁾. 

Like CBD, THC is also found in cannabis plants. THC is the compound responsible for the effects of marijuana on a person’s mental health⁽¹¹⁾. 

Cannabis use has been shown to induce long-lasting psychotic disorders, and a dose-response relationship has also been observed⁽¹²⁾. 

Nevertheless, cannabis with high CBD content is associated with fewer psychotic symptoms⁽¹³⁾. 

In addition, CBD has purported antipsychotic effects that may help patients with schizophrenia⁽¹⁴⁾. 

Benefits of Using CBD for Schizophrenia

A systematic review from the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease indicated that antipsychotics may have adverse effects, such as weight gain, sedation, and sexual dysfunction⁽¹⁵⁾.  

Meanwhile, compared with antipsychotic drugs, cannabidiol only carries minor side effects. Common side effects of CBD include dry mouth, reduced appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, and drowsiness⁽¹⁶⁾. 

In 2018, McGuire and colleagues conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 88 schizophrenic patients⁽¹⁷⁾. 

The researchers administered 1,000mg of CBD per day to 43 patients and gave a placebo to the rest. Following six weeks of treatment, the CBD group had lower levels of positive psychotic symptoms compared with the placebo group⁽¹⁸⁾. 

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include distorted behaviors, beliefs, and perceptions, hallucinations, and delusions⁽¹⁹⁾. 

The prevalence of depressive disorder in people with schizophrenia has been around 40%⁽²⁰⁾. Low serotonin levels may be linked with depression⁽²¹⁾. Serotonin is the hormone that stabilizes mood and feelings.

Although CBD does not boost serotonin levels, the compound may affect how the chemical receptors in the brain respond to the serotonin in one’s system⁽²²⁾.  

A review from CNS and Neurological Disorders–Drug Targets suggest that CBD may exhibit anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects⁽²³⁾.  

Although the results are promising, further longitudinal research is warranted to determine the benefits of CBD for schizophrenia. 

How to Take CBD for Schizophrenia

There are a few methods to take CBD for schizophrenia, including:

• Oral ingestion
• Inhalation
• Sublingual (under the tongue) administration
• Topical administration 

The terms CBD tinctures and CBD oils are often used interchangeably. Tinctures are alcohol-based and are generally taken sublingually. Meanwhile, CBD oils can also be ingested like an edible⁽²⁴⁾. 

You can mix CBD oil with your food or beverage, especially if you do not like CBD’s grassy taste. 

A 2019 research from the University of Minnesota suggested that high-fat foods may increase oral CBD absorption into the body⁽²⁵⁾.   

CBD Dosage for Schizophrenia

The Food and Drug Administration or FDA has not recognized CBD as a medical treatment for schizophrenia. Therefore, there is no standard CBD dosage for the condition. 

However, study authors Zuardi, Mechoulam, and Guimarães published a case report on the use of CBD as a possible antipsychotic medication. The study involved a 19-year old schizophrenic black woman administered with CBD up to 1,500mg daily for four weeks⁽²⁶⁾. 

The results showed improvement of acute psychotic symptoms. CBD was also reported to be well tolerated during this study⁽²⁷⁾. 

Although CBD may possess an atypical and antipsychotic profile, the results suggest the need for more clinical trials using a significant number of patients to test this possibility further⁽²⁸⁾.

Meanwhile, mid-range doses of CBD between 10mg and 100mg daily have been shown to possibly help with anxiety, depression, and some mental health disorders⁽²⁹⁾.  

Still, it is best to talk with your physician if you are considering using CBD products to help with schizophrenia. Doctors can recommend the right CBD dosage for you.   

How Long Does CBD Take to Help Schizophrenia?

  How long CBD takes effect to help with illnesses such as schizophrenia depends on the method of administration used, among other factors. 

Inhaling CBD using vape pens is the fastest way to experience the benefits of CBD⁽³⁰⁾. When smoking or vaping CBD, the compound typically takes effect within two to 15 minutes⁽³¹⁾. 

However, vaping may irritate and damage the lungs⁽³²⁾. In addition, it has been found that more than 80% of schizophrenic individuals are nicotine dependent⁽³³⁾. 

Like tobacco products, vaping devices also contain nicotine, an ingredient that can lead to addiction⁽³⁴⁾. 

Thus, schizophrenia patients must consult their healthcare provider if they are contemplating using this administration method in managing psychotic episodes. 

About 65% of schizophrenic patients may develop anxiety⁽³⁵⁾. Evidence indicates cannabidiol may help with anxiety disorders⁽³⁶⁾. 

A 2019 study from the Permanente Journal used 25mg to 175mg of CBD per day in capsule forms to examine whether cannabidiol may help with anxiety and sleep⁽³⁷⁾. 

The results showed that 79.2% of patients reported decreased anxiety scores within the first month, and their scores remained that way during the study duration. CBD was also well tolerated in nearly all participants, excluding three individuals⁽³⁸⁾.  

CBD in capsule form and other CBD edibles usually take effect within 30 to 90 minutes⁽³⁹⁾.   

How Long Will CBD Help With Schizophrenia? 

Different methods of administration have varying rates of bioavailability. 

Bioavailability is the extent to which a particular substance becomes fully available to its intended biological destination⁽⁴⁰⁾. 

CBD edibles like capsules have a bioavailability of 6% to 15%⁽⁴¹⁾. 

Meanwhile, a 2018 systematic review from the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology indicated that the bioavailability following smoking is 31%⁽⁴²⁾.    

How to Choose the Right CBD for Schizophrenia

Many CBD brands advertise how beneficial their CBD products are to people with certain mental disorders like schizophrenia. 

Here are a few crucial factors to consider when choosing the best CBD oil for schizophrenia:

CBD Extracts 

CBD extracts can be categorized as full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolates. 

A full-spectrum CBD product contains all extracts of the cannabis plant, including CBD and other cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and essential oils⁽⁴³⁾. A full-spectrum CBD product often has less than 0.3% THC⁽⁴⁴⁾. 

Terpenes are the components of essential oils responsible for the aroma of cannabis⁽⁴⁵⁾. 

Meanwhile, flavonoids are active compounds found in cannabis that contribute to the aroma, pigmentation, and flavor of cannabis through synergistic relationships with other active compounds like terpenes⁽⁴⁶⁾. 

Broad-spectrum CBD oil is similar to full-spectrum CBD. However, it is nearly THC-free. On the other hand, CBD isolates are made of pure CBD⁽⁴⁷⁾. 

CBD Extraction Methods

Extraction methods using hexane and butane may leave harmful residues⁽⁴⁸⁾.

One of the most frequently utilized CBD extraction techniques is the carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction method. In this process, compressed carbon dioxide is used as the extraction solvent, avoiding flammable and toxic chemical solvents⁽⁴⁹⁾.

Furthermore, it is imperative to know the source of hemp because some CBD products may have irritants, heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants. 

For this reason, ensure that the CBD brand you choose is transparent with its farming practices and provides sufficient and accurate information about the ingredients of its products. 

CBD and THC Content 

Before you buy CBD products to manage psychotic symptoms and improve your overall mental health, you must determine the amount of CBD and THC a particular product contains.

Look for the COA (certificate of analysis) to verify the declared CBD concentration and potency accuracy. 

In addition, ensure that the CBD brand you choose enlists the services of a third-party lab to test all its products. The lab reports and COAs must be readily accessible on the brand’s website. 

This way, you can compare the values indicated on the laboratory results with the company’s claims regarding the product.   

The Possible Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for Schizophrenia

CBD is relatively safe and well tolerated in humans and animals⁽⁵⁰⁾. However, more research is warranted to explore the effects of CBD on symptoms of schizophrenia. 

Antipsychotics, also called neuroleptics, are used to manage psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia⁽⁵¹⁾.

Antipsychotics are drugs that use the cytochrome P450 enzyme system⁽⁵²⁾. The cytochrome P450 group is a family of liver enzymes that metabolizes nearly 60% of the pharmaceutical drugs people consume⁽⁵³⁾.

The simultaneous use of CBD and antipsychotics may cause drug-to-drug interactions⁽⁵⁴⁾.

Aside from possible drug interaction, CBD may also cause minor side effects, such as⁽⁵⁵⁾:

• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue 

Hence, make sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you are considering using CBD simultaneously with any antipsychotic medication prescribed to you.   

Legality of CBD

The United States Congress ratified the 2018 Farm Bill, legalizing the commercial use of industrial hemp and products obtained from hemp plants⁽⁵⁶⁾. 

The 2018 Farm Bill indicates that Cannabis sativa L. and other derivatives of cannabis with less than 0.3% THC content on a dry weight basis are considered federally legal in the United States⁽⁵⁷⁾. 

The Federal Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 created a drug schedule to classify substances into five categories based on the medical use and potential for drug abuse⁽⁵⁸⁾. 

Some states have passed laws allowing recreational and medical marijuana. Still, these state laws do not alter the fact that, under federal law, marijuana is still listed as a Schedule I drug⁽⁵⁹⁾. 

Substances included in the Schedule I drugs have a high abuse potential with no acceptable medical use⁽⁶⁰⁾. Therefore, medications under this category may not be prescribed, administered, or dispensed under federal law.

Rules and regulations regarding legal marijuana may be confusing. Hence, it would be better to learn how marijuana laws differ in every state.

In addition, it would be best to consult a clinician experienced in cannabis use if you are considering using products containing cannabis in managing symptoms of psychosis or chronic mental disorder like schizophrenia.