If you’re searching for medicinal cannabinoids NZ for a variety of conditions such as insomnia anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar, neuropathy, addiction and any number of others, then you need to be aware that medicinal cannabis is available to purchase with a Doctor’s prescription only.
If you’re reading this article in a country where medicinal cannabinoids are available for purchase over the counter, then we ask that you do your due diligence and ensure that the medicinal cannabis is the right type and strain for you.
Medicinal Cannabis NZ: Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is defined as "a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves." This is a disorder that is considered to be common, with over 200,000 new cases being diagnosed per year in the USA alone.
In New Zealand, experts say that most studies for schizophrenia place the condition in the 0.3 to 0.4% of the population range with roughly 13,000 kiwi's diagnosed with the condition in the year 2014 alone according to tepou.co.nz
Some symptoms of schizophrenia include audible and visual hallucinations, paranoia, and irrational thoughts. This can range from mild to severe depending on the person and how well managed their symptoms are.
Social consequences include strained relationships, inability to engage in activities and isolation. Over time this can lead to a complete breakdown in relationships, desire to work in paid employment or spend time with others, friends or family.
This disorder is different from borderline personality disorder, split personality or multiple personality disorders, but it is a state of psychosis. Psychotic episodes refer to a sharp decline in the individual's mental state, resulting in strange behaviors and thinking.
There are three types of symptoms;
- Positive (delusional, euphoric)
- Negative (isolation, loss of motivation)
- Cognitive (poor memory, inability to make decisions)
Episode lengths and frequency vary from person to person. Men usually begin to show symptoms in their late teens and early twenties, while women tend to present them first in their twenties or thirties. The reason for this is largely unknown.
https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/default.htm
While there are medications on the market that help to manage schizophrenia, many of them come with unpleasant side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, restlessness, dry mouth, constipation, nausea, blurred vision and low blood pressure, to name a few. This is exceptionally important to consider in users who are looking to alleviate difficult to manage symptoms in the first place.
Medicinal Cannabinoids NZ & Schizophrenia
Some studies link the use of marijuana based medicinal cannabinoids nz with the onset of psychotic disorders. THC may cause the expression of more positive and negative symptoms in a sufferer, instead of minimizing them.
There are other factors to consider, like family history and genetics, that increase the odds of developing the disorder.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604190
It is important to note that chronic long-term use of marijuana in some people leads to ongoing side effects such as anxiety, paranoia and in some more severe cases, episodes of psychosis. This doesn’t seem to occur in all regular uses of medicinal cannabinoids, but in those who can pick up on it early, it would seem advantageous to consider the following...
Thus far, the most widely researched cannabinoid next to THC called cannabidiol (CBD), is not linked to the onset of mental illness. In fact, CBD is capable of neutralizing the effects of THC.
This is crucial for those wishing to take medicinal cannabinoids for the purpose of alleviating various mental, emotional or physiological symptoms without worrying about the aforementioned side effects of long-term tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure.
Recent studies are looking towards CBD for its antipsychotic properties. A study by Schizophrenia Research, based on self-reporting, revealed that CBD users found positive results and a reduction in their psychotic episodes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920996411002246
It is critical for those diagnosed with schizophrenia to manage their symptoms and maintain a stable mental state. When this is achieved, people are able to work, go to school, socialize, and engage in normal activities.
While long-term, widespread research is needed, the early findings are promising. An article in Current Pharmaceutical Design states that “CBD prevented human experimental psychosis and was effective in open case reports and clinical trials in patients with schizophrenia with a remarkable safety profile.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22716160/
The stability achieved in those with schizophrenia is being attributed to the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS works to create homeostasis in the body (balance), while cannabinoids like CBD promote functions like proper sleep, balanced mood, and improved cognitive functioning, to name a few.
While the direct processes of the ECS on schizophrenia are unknown, it appears that it functions to create balance with mental disorders as well.
There is no known cure for schizophrenia. People with the disorder are capable of living productive, happy, and healthy lives with the management of symptoms.
CBD can be used in conjunction with other interventions to help create balance and stability. It is important to discuss all available options with a medical professional prior to making any changes to your lifestyle or treatment plan.
The Endocannabinoid System
Medicinal cannabinoids nz work both directly upon the body, and through the body’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS) to restore homeostasis to systems that have fallen out of balance and into disorder.
We’ve created many articles and references on the ECS and how it works, but in the most simple terms, the ECS is a system in the body that manages all other systems. It is the great regulator of balance. Any system that is tired, overworked or undernourished will receive support from the ECS, to help it to continue functioning as normal.
The ECS creates its own medicinal cannabinoids called endocannabinoids. These endocannabinoids can be found in mothers breast milk as they support the healthy functioning and development of the baby.
Plants such as hemp, create their own cannabinoids called phytocannabinoids. These function and act in the body very similarly to the body’s own endocannabinoids. They make a great supplement to the ECS when it is overstressed, tired, or largely inactive.
Phytocannabinoids, like the ones found in CBD oil and other medicinal cannabinoid products, have been shown to provide hundreds of benefits to support human health.
Another surprising fact that most people don’t realize is that the ECS is found inside all mammals, from dogs to dolphins. The ECS provides support to the organism when under stress, so naturally, humans can benefit greatly from supporting the health of their ECS.
Medicinal Cannabinoids NZ Conclusion
Although, ever since medicinal cannabinoids NZ were banned in 1930, we’ve seen a fast decline in the health of the population. Of course there are other factors such as changes in lifestyle, environmental pollutants, changes to the water supply, the foods we eat, fast food chains entering normal life and so on.
But what happens when we reintroduce medicinal cannabinoids into the body? We see a sharp incline in the health of many kiwi’s suffering from conditions that modern medical science is struggling to resolve with conventional treatments.
Now that medicinal cannabinoids products are available by prescription in New Zealand, we hope to see more people benefit from activating their ECS. If you’re reading this and live in other parts of the world where medicinal cannabis is available over the counter, then consider reading our blog for further information on the ECS, cannabinoids, hemp and medicinal cannabinoids.
We hope this article covered your search of medicinal cannabinoids nz and how they relate to schizophrenia and other conditions. As mentioned previously, medicinal cannabis is available to purchase by prescription only from a licenced medical professional.
If you found this post of value, check out our blog with the latest in scientific research on all things hemp, cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system.
As always, prior to making any changes to your lifestyle or treatment plan, consult with a licenced medical practitioner.
