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Selim Kim
Ms. Mary Curtin
G/T Independent Research
08 March 2016

Cannabidiol: The Potential Alternative in Treating Schizophrenia

Over 51 million people worldwide suffer from schizophrenia (Schizophrenia and
Periodontal Disease). Schizophrenia is one of the most well-known mental illnesses; however,
there is no cure for it. Though schizophrenia cannot be cured completely, there are alternatives
that assist the schizophrenic patients to adapt and cope with their illness. One of the most
common treatments is that schizophrenics receive both medicinal (antipsychotic drugs) and
therapeutic treatment ( Simon, Schizophrenia). However, the medicinal treatments available to
schizophrenics are more harmful than beneficial because of the fatal side effects. Cannabidiol
can be used as a safer alternative for the medicinal treatment in order to improve the health and
quality of life for schizophrenics.
Mental illnesses are a common phenomenon all over the world and countless studies for
mental illnesses have been executed in order to find various treatments regarding the different
mental illnesses. Schizophrenia has been around for centuries which have been classified as
madness before its first diagnosis in 1910 by Swiss psychiatrist, Paul Eugen Bleuler (Neel, A
Brief History of Schizophrenia). It is an untreatable diagnosis; however, it is an illness that can
be controlled and dealt with (Neel, A Brief History of Schizophrenia). There are medicinal

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treatments and psychotic treatments which help control and deal with schizophrenia (Simon,
Schizophrenia). The medicinal treatments which help control the symptoms of
schizophrenia have many negative side effects which cause functional and fatal health defects
such as diabetes (Grohol, Side Effects of Medications for Schizophrenia). Because of the
severities of the medications side effects, some medications are banned from United States
(Grohol, Side Effects of Medications for Schizophrenia). However, medical marijuana can be a
potential alternative for these medications due to the fact that medical marijuana has fewer side
effects.
One of the reasons why medical marijuana is an effective alternative treatment is because
the drug has many beneficial effects on schizophrenics. Marijuana, a controversial drug that
often has the same stigma as cigarettes or tobacco has found a new beneficial purpose in the
medical field (Green, Cannabis, Schizophrenia, and Reward: Self-Medications and Agonist
Treatment?). Medical marijuana has already been introduced as a medication for nausea relief
(Cicero, How effective is Medical Marijuana?), nerve pain relief (NIDA Research), Multiple
Sclerosis ("Transdermal Delivery"), general chronic pain relief ("Transdermal Delivery"), cancer
treatment (NIDA Research), Parkinsons disease (NIDA Research), and Alzheimers disease
(NIDA Research).
Secondly, it increases in connectivity and doesnt directly change or affect brain function
and structure (Cicero, How Effective is Medical Marijuana?). Though natural cannabis, for
instance, loses the wiring of the brain, it is filled up with connectivity, making up for the losses.
("Cannabis, Schizophrenia, and Reward: Self- Medication and Agonist Treatment?"). It also does
not lower IQs and does not have any relation to the brain abnormalities. (Cicero, How effective

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is Medical Marijuana?) The cannabinoid oil itself raises senses to be able to sense other
peoples feelings (NIDA Research on the Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabis and Cannabinoids).
Third, the medicinal benefits of marijuana vary depending on the type of cannabis.
Medical marijuana has many different varieties of the atomic structures that make up the drug
and can be broken down into different atomic structures to help assist with different illnesses.
For example, endogenous (2-AG), purified THC, or synthetic THC (different types of cannabis)
can be used to treat autoimmune diseases ("Transdermal Delivery). Endogenous (2-AG) is the
endogenous cannabinoid system which is the physiologic system that is involved with
establishing and maintaining the human health and its receptors are found in the brain, organs,
connective tissues, glands, and immune cells (Sulak, Introduction to the Endocannabinoid
System). Each tissue in the cannabinoid system is responsible for different tasks but they all
work to maintain homeostasis of the body (Sulak, Introduction to the Endocannabinoid
System). For pain relief, cannabis cigarettes, vaporized cannabis, endogenous, and synthetics
can be used as pain killers ( Simone, "Cannabinoid Modulation of Hyperalgesia). Patients with
cancer can use cannabis as pain killers to numb the pain of the chemotheraphy (Simone,
Cannabinoid Modulation of Hyperalgesia). Like so, people with psychiatric disorders use
purified cannabidiol, Dronabinol and cannabis cigarettes, and synthetic and plant cannabis as
part of their treatment ( Mahadevan, "Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist for Treatment of Chronic
Pain).
Many people tend to have a strong stigma towards marijuana, thus is the reason why it is
a controversial drug. However, as scientists studied and tested with cannabis, they have found
that the effects of marijuana do not have much harmful effects on the human body as
antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia. For instance, food intake is not a big impact; one

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cigarette of marijuana does not induce changes on food intake ( Foltin, Effects of Smoked
Marijuana on Food Intake and Body Weight of Humans Living in a Residential Laboratory).
Patients who induce two or more cigarettes of marijuana increase the food intake of marijuana so
the patients need to follow the doses that the doctors prescribe ( Bergamaschi, Safety and Side
Effects of Cannabidiol, a Cannabis Sativa Constituent). The augmentation of calories consumed
between meal snacks causes the increases the intake of calories (Bergamaschi, Safety and Side
Effects of Cannabidiol, a Cannabis Sativa Constituent). Secondly, cannabis is well tolerated by
humans. It does not induce catalepsy (Bergamaschi, Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol, a
Cannabis Sativa Constituent). Catalepsy is a medical condition that is characterized by a seizure
with a loss of sensation and consciousness accompanied by rigidity of the body (Dictionary).
However, cannabis too, like all drugs, has side effects. The drug represses the cortical
oscillations as the Hzwaves get aroused and generates CO (Smoking Cannabis Every Day
Shrinks Brain but Increases Its Connectivity). Cortical oscillations are brain rhythms that range
from 4-7 Hz-theta waves during sleep and 14-60 Hz waves while it is aroused. The carbon oxides
are generated and synchronized by layer 5 pyramidal neurons of the neocortex (Dictionary).
Neocortex is a part of the cerebral cortex which helps function sight and hearing in mammals
(Dictionary). Also, the short term effects are altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors),
altered sense of time, changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and
problem-solving, and impaired memory ( Bergamaschi, "Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol,
a Cannabis Sativa Constituent."). These side effects all disappear in about two hours or less
depending on how much doses of cannabis are taken (Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol, a
Cannabis Sativa Constituent).Third, the mental effects are temporary paranoia and
hallucinations, increased heart rate, and shortage of breathing, which also disappear in about two

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hours or less depending on how much doses of cannabis are taken (Safety and Side Effects of
Cannabidiol, a Cannabis Sativa Constituent).
Weighing the side effects of antipsychotic drugs and cannabis, antipsychotic drugs have
much more side effects than cannabis and their side effects outweigh their benefit effects. There
are two types of antipsychotic drugs: atypical and typical (Mental Health Medications).
Atypical antipsychotic drugs are the older drugs and the typical antipsychotic drugs are the most
current drugs (Mental Health Medications). The physical side effects of typical and atypical
antipsychotic drugs can be weight gain, dry mouth, muscle spasms, skin rash, nasal congestion,
runny nose, drooling, twitching or uncontrollable movement of ones eyes, lips, tongue, face,
arms or legs, mask-like appearance of the face, trouble swallowing, problems with speech, lightheadedness, feeling of passing out, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, seeing halos around
lights, severe nervous system reaction, very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion,
uneven heartbeats, tremors, fainting, high blood sugar, increased thirsts, increased urination,
hunger, drowsiness, dry skin, weight gain or weight loss, low blood cell counts, flu symptoms,
cough, sore throat, red or swollen gums, painful mouth sores, skin sores, and trouble breathing
(Simon, Schizophrenia). The atypical medications also can cause dizziness, headache,
constipation, rapid heartbeat, difficulty urination, increased body temperature, diabetes,
metabolic problems, seizure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, hypotension, neutropenia,
extrapyramidal side effects, heart problems, sudden death, and allergic reactions (Simon,
Schizophrenia). Neutropenia is when the number of neutrophils in the blood; neutrophils is a
type of cell in the human body that surrounds and destroys bacteria (What is Neuropenia?). The
extrapyramidal side effects are symptoms that include acute dyskinesias, dystonic reactions,
Parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia, akinesia, akathisia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome and is

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caused by dopamine blockade; lack of dopamine often mimics the idiopathic pathologies of the
extrapyramidal symptoms (Blair, Extrapyramidal Symptoms are Serious Side- Effects of
Antipsychotic and Other Drugs). Dyskinesia is a type of cell in human body which fights away
bacteria ( Campellone, Tardive Dyskinesia). The most common side effects which can occur
when taking either atypical or typical antipsychotic drugs are nausea, vomiting, weight gain,
diarrhea, sleepiness, sexual problems, thoughts of suicide or dying, attempts to commit suicide,
new or worsening depression, new or worsening anxiety, feeling very agitated or restless, panic
attacks, insomnia, new or worsening irritability, aggressive actions, anger, violence, dangerous
impulsive actions, extreme increase in activity and talking, and unusual changes in behavior or
mood (Grohol, Side Effects of Medications for Schizophrenia). Not all of these side effects
occur to the patient; however, many of these side effects apply to the patient taking the
antipsychotic drug (Grohol, Side Effects of Medications for Sczhiophrenia).
The antipsychotic drugs have few benefits that are outweighed by the side effects. All
antipsychotic drugs may affect dopamine receptors and other neurotransmitters that are
responsible for psychotic symptoms and control the visual hallucinations, auditory
hallucinations, paranoia, fear, persecutory delusion, and religious delusion (Simon,
Schizophrenia). The drugs may also improve working memory and mental functioning
(Grohol, Side Effects of Medications for Schizophrenia). It also may reduce depression and
hostility as well as reducing risk for suicide but these factors only apply to the newest developed
drugs such as Clozapine (Simon, Schizophrenia). Some typical antipsychotic drugs can reduce
certain side effects which are less risk of developing tardive dyskinesia, fewer side effects of
trembling or stiffening of the muscles, and reducting psychotic symptoms (Grohol, Side Effects
of Medications for Schizophrenia). Tardive dyskinesia is a disorder that causes involuntary

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actions such as facial grimacing, finger movement, jaw swinging, repetitive chewing, and tongue
thrusting (Campellone, Tardive Dyskinesia).
The antipsychotic drug, Clozapine, or Clorzaril, is the newest and the most developed and
effective antipsychotic drug that may help restrain some of the symptoms of schizophrenia as
well as counter intuitively cure certain side effects of other antipsychotic drugs used for
schizophrenic patients. Symptoms such as visual hallucinations, auditory hallucinations,
delusions of religion, delusions of persecution, disorganized thinking or trouble organizing ones
thoughts and making sense of it, little desire to be around other people, trouble speaking clearly,
and lack of motivation can be restrained through Clozapine (Clozapine (Clozaril/FazaClo)).
This is the most effective antipsychotic drug for schizophrenic patients; however, all of the listed
side effects can apply to the patient taking Clozapine (Clozapine (Clozaril/FazaClo)). Also, the
reason behind different antipsychotic drugs are because each patient has a different antipsychotic
drug that is best suited for the patients physical and mental condition; therefore, not every
patient can take Clozapine (Grohol, Side Effects of Medications for Schizophrenia). The side
effects for antipsychotic drugs can still apply to Clozapine (Clozapine (Clozaril/FazaClo)).
Unfortunately, not a lot of information is known for the recovery of schizophrenia..
However, there are options of treatments that can be taken to control and deal with the mental
illness. The problem is not the schizophrenia itself; genetic factors are inevitable. The problem
and the question is how to do deal, cope, and live with the mental illness. The medicinal
treatments are limited to the antipsychotic drugs which have endless lists of side effects which
can damage, harm, and potentially lead to death of the patients consuming those drugs. Medical
marijuana or cannabidiol may be the step closer to the treatment of schizophrenia. The research
field for schizophrenia should open its doors to the controversial drug that has been mostly

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negative introduced to the world and realize the potential of the drug in treating schizophrenia.
The side effects are significantly less than antipsychotic drugs and when taken in small doses, the
cannabidiol will not cause one to die.

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Work Cited Page
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