Cannabinoids and Mental Health, Part 2: The Search for Clinical Applications

Patients with psychiatric conditions are increasingly using cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), to treat their own symptoms. After reviewing the mechanism of action of CBD, the current article examines the existing evidence for CBD in the treatment of schizophrenia, anxiety, autism, posttraumatic stress disorder, and insomnia, and discusses the challenges in translating these studies, often using very high doses of CBD, into clinical practice. Until additional, well-designed studies that examine the more common practice of lower doses of CBD are performed, a harm-reduction, patient-centered, empiric approach is encouraged to optimize symptom reduction while at the same time avoiding the known risks of cannabis. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57(10), 7-11.].