A research team from King’s College in London has made history this week by releasing the data from their study on patients with psychosis under the influence of CBD. An early trial from King’s College found that CBD was beneficial for patients suffering from schizophrenia related psychosis, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. This paved the way for more in depth research. Now the team is tackling larger test groups and more advanced equipment to find out exactly why CBD is so beneficial in this case.
Their latest research examined 13 patients with psychosis. Each patient took part in two MRI imaging sessions, one with a placebo, and one with a dose of CBD. Under the influence of CBD, dysfunctional connectivity was reduced in the psychosis subjects. “It gives confidence in the antipsychotic potential of CBD by demonstrating that it targets the function of brain regions implicated in psychosis and indicating that even a single dose may ameliorate some of the brain function alterations that may underlie psychosis.” – Dr. Sagnik Bhattacharyya Though this study showed a temporary decrease in psychotic symptoms, Bhattacharyya agrees that the study’s sample size is small, and than more research is needed to better understand the effects of CBD as an antipsychotic.
Phase two of this trail is taking place now with 120 subjects in a 12-week study. This time the team will asses psychotic, motor, and non-motor symptoms for both the CBD and placebo group under brain scans. “This trial will provide evidence of the value of CBD to treat the symptoms of hallucinations and delusions in people with Parkinson’s,” Arthur Roach, PhD, Director of Research at Parkinson’s UK, said in a statement. “This could result in a regulated cannabinoid-based medicine being prescribed and used in the clinic, as opposed to self-administration of expensive supplements that have not been monitored for their composition or effects.”