Cannabinoids and their therapeutic applications in mental disorders

Summary & key facts

This review explains that researchers have been studying natural and man-made cannabinoids as possible treatments for several mental disorders. Scientists found reasons to be curious because the body's endocannabinoid system affects many body functions. The paper summarizes what is known about cannabinoids in major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. The authors say that both possible benefits and possible harms have been reported, but more experimental studies are needed to know if cannabinoids help or hurt in these illnesses.

Key facts:

• Mental disorders are common and often cause long-term disability and lower quality of life, creating a large public health burden.
• Many patients do not get better with current first-line treatments, which motivates searches for alternative therapies.
• Researchers have identified the endocannabinoid system and this helped drive interest in using natural and synthetic cannabinoids as potential medicines.
• This review summarizes evidence about cannabinoids for major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and schizophrenia.
• The authors report both potential benefits and potential risks of cannabinoid use in these mental disorders.
• The review concludes that further experimental studies are needed before clear clinical recommendations can be made about using cannabinoids for these conditions.

Abstract

Mental disorders represent a significant public health burden worldwide due to their high prevalence, chronically disabling nature, and substantial impact on quality of life. Despite growing knowledge of the pathological mechanisms that underlie the development of these disorders, a high percentage of patients do not respond to first-line clinical treatments; thus, there is a strong need for alternative therapeutic approaches. During the past half-century, after the identification of the endocannabinoid system and its role in multiple physiological processes, both natural and synthetic cannabinoids have attracted considerable interest as putative medications in pathological conditions such as, but not exclusive to, mental disorders. Here, we provide a summary of cannabinoid effects in support of possible therapeutic applications for major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia. Considering this evidence, highlighted benefits and risks of cannabinoid use in the management of these illnesses require further experimental study. .

Topics

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Anxiety Bipolar disorder Cannabinoid Cognition Depression (economics) Economics Endocannabinoid system Internal medicine Macroeconomics Medicine Pathological Pathology Psychiatry Psychology Receptor Schizophrenia (object-oriented programming)

Substances

Cannabis

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Anxiety or worry Sadness or low mood