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American Grown and Processed
American Grown and Processed
Many psychiatric disorders may result from significant changes in the brain which lead to new set points for brain function; for example, the receiving ends of neurons (dendrites) may undergo remodeling and there may be a reduction in neurogenesis in the hippocampus. This can lead to a range of symptoms including delusions (false beliefs), hallucinations, incoherent or nonsensical speech, and behavior that is inappropriate for the situation – collectively known as psychotic symptoms.
One of the most common disorders that can result in psychotic symptoms is schizophrenia. While all of the causes of schizophrenia have not been figured out, it is known that in some cases there may be abnormalities in the dopamine pathways of the brain and changes in the frontal lobes, temporal lobes, and hippocampus. The most common symptoms of schizophrenia are delusions, unclear or confused thinking, auditory hallucinations, reduced social engagement, reduced emotional expression, and a lack of motivation.
First of all, it should be pointed out that CBD used alone is not a sufficient treatment for schizophrenia, but CBD used in conjunction with other medications can provide relief for some of the symptoms. CBD was able to reduce social withdrawal in a rat model of schizophrenia. Both preclinical and clinical studies have shown that CBD can reduce several behavioral abnormalities associated with schizophrenia: it helped with hyperlocomotion, with deficits in cognitive functions, and with deficits in social interactions.
One key feature of schizophrenia and other mental disorders is a deficit in a process known as sensorimotor gating. This is a term used to describe the brain’s process of filtering out redundant or unnecessary stimuli, preventing an overload of irrelevant information to the higher centers of the brain. There is evidence that CBD can help to reverse deficits in sensorimotor gating, particularly through its actions at the TRPV1 receptors. Reducing these deficits can help patients to concentration and focus more clearly.
There is also recent evidence that some mental disorders, like schizophrenia, may be due in part to inflammation in the brain[Pistanti2017]. CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound, and it has been shown to attenuate the behavioral and glial changes observed in an animal model of schizophrenia[Pistanti2017].
CBD can help with symptoms of other mental disorders as well – not just schizophrenia. In fact, CBD affects brain areas which are involved in the neurobiology of several psychiatric disorders – amygdala, hippocampus, cingulate cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, prefrontal cortex, and insula. For example, CBD has shown significant effects in decreasing Parkinson’s-related psychosis in Parkinson’s Disease patients.
CBD’s ability to reduce psychotic symptoms is thought to be related to the fact that it can increase anandamide levels (an endocannabinoid), which further enhances the body’s own endocannabinoid-mediated antipsychotic effects. It is also thought that CBD may be acting through a cellular signaling pathway called the mTOR signaling pathway. In fact, in clinical studies, CBD has shown similar ability as some prescription medications (for example, amisulpride/Solian) in reducing psychotic symptoms, but with significantly fewer side effects.
In summary, CBD shows effectiveness at reducing sensorimotor deficits, behavioral abnormalities, and neural changes associated with certain mental disorders. Wai Natural sells a high-quality, high-purity hemp oil with CBD that you can try out by ordering a bottle today.
