Ok, surely this has gone far enough!

 

On the one hand, we have "experts" informing us of the fact that cannabis use, in any way, shape or form, can cause psycosis and/or scizophrenia.

 

On the other hand, we have another group of experts who now inform us that the cannabinoidal element within the cannabis plant (the anti-THC), could quite possibly be used in a treatment for...you guessed it, scizophrenia.

 

So its official!  No-body knows what the bloody hell to do about cannabis!

 

And if they don't know, what chance have we got?

 

"Experts" are fast becoming the new "they".  (Who said that?  "They" did!) 

 

Its enough to drive a man to drugs. Now where did I put my papers? 

 

 

 

 

 

Cannabis could hold the key to a revolutionary new treatment for schizophrenia, surprising new research suggests.

The class C drug contains a chemical that could be used to treat the mental illness with fewer side effects than current medicines, scientists say.

Though one chemical in cannabis can cause psychotic symptoms, another actually stifles those effects and could be used as a medicine.

 

Experts say concentrations of the harmful compound tetra-hydracannabinol (THC) are increasing in weed currently on the drugs market while levels of balancing cannabidiol (CBD) are dropping, causing the recent surge in cannabis smokers suffering psychosis and schizophrenia.

In a study to be presented at the Institute of Psychiatry's international conference on cannabis and mental health, Dr Marcus Leweke investigated the effects of CBD on 42 schizophrenia patients.

Some were treated with conventional drugs and others given CBD and though both groups' psychotic symptoms improved, those given the cannabis component experienced fewer side effects.

Side effects of standard anti-psychotic drug amisulpride include weight gain, sexual dysfunction and liver problems.

Dr Luweke said: "There is a good possibility that there are good guys and bad guys in cannabis.

"THC is the bad guy, but there is a small body of literature that suggests CBD may prevent the induction of psychotic symptoms. Our study supports that view."

 

http://www.lse.co.uk/ 

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