Schizophrenia
with Schizophrenia?
Are you looking for an alternative
treatment option?
Medical Marijuana For Schizophrenia
When someone has schizophrenia, it can be difficult for them to differentiate reality vs. hallucinations. Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects the way someone acts, thinks, expresses themselves, and perceives reality. It can often lead to issues with school, work and relationships and unfortunately, it’s a lifelong disease. But, there are ways to help treat this disorder and be able to live more comfortably and confidently.
What Causes Schizophrenia?
The cause still remains unknown, but researchers know it starts in the brain. Changes occur in dopamine levels, serotonin levels and the neurotransmitters, but there are several other regions that may be affected too. Unfortunately, there is still no cure and the disorder will require lifelong treatment. Approximately, one percent of the Canadian population is diagnosed with schizophrenia and it most commonly appears between the ages of 20 to 30.
Early Schizophrenia Symptoms
Symptoms can begin in the teenage years, although it may be harder to diagnose because the symptoms can be quite similar to other conditions, but they can include things like:
- A poor change in grades
- Difficulty paying attention/concentrating
- Lack of motivation
- Anxiety
- Distancing themselves from friends and family
- Mood swings – irritability, anger outbursts, depression, etc.
- Change in speech – sentences don’t make sense
- Suicidal thoughts
- Complaints about hallucinations
- Feelings of “being watched”
Symptoms in adults between 20-30 are quite similar, but other warning signs could include:
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Not being able to express emotions properly – happiness, excitement, sadness, etc.
- Both insomnia and sleeping too much
- Repeating the same words or sentences over again
- “Blank” stares
- Delusions and hallucinations
- And more.
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How Can Medical Marijuana Help Relieve Schizophrenia Symptoms?
Though certain researches suggest marijuana can actually worsen symptoms associated with schizophrenia like paranoia, hallucinations, and mood swings, there are strains that don’t actually cause one to get high. CBD oil is strictly a natural therapeutic oil that positively interacts with those low levels of serotonin and dopamine mentioned before.
Other pharmaceutical medications can often cause more side effects like dizziness, fatigue, or even loss of appetite, whereas medical marijuana can drastically improve one’s mood, relax the body, and help patients keep their weight. During other research, the link between marijuana and schizophrenia wanted to be better understood and it was clear that how the marijuana is used, and how often, played a huge role in determining how it could positively impact symptoms.
Medical Marijuana Can Help Treat Psychosis
The most common symptom people with schizophrenia struggle with is hallucinations and they often lose touch with reality. In a study done in London, England at London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, 88 schizophrenic patients were treated with CBD over a course of six weeks and their psychosis symptoms significantly improved.
