The new study lead by Washington State University has brought good news for obsessive-compulsory disorder (OCD) patients, suggesting a new treatment with cannabis. According to this new study, cannabis can reduce the severity of these signs that are characteristically associated with OCD. It means cannabis can be made a part of OCD therapy, along with other medicines, under a certified physician.
The research team investigated the data obtained from people who have self-diagnosed them with OCD. Most of them reported a huge reduction in OCD symptoms within three to four hours of using cannabis.
Also read: Will Coronavirus Infection Become Seasonal?
The data for this experiment was obtained using a phone app named “Strainprint app.” Those who identify themselves as having OCD were subjected to test this new cannabis treatment understanding the potential benefits of this herb for Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition that causes abrupt and repetitive behaviors and acts in a person. People having OCD need a medical treatment that includes both medicine and therapy. But many people report feeling ‘better’ after smoking cannabis, which is why this research team tried to understand if cannabis can make Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients feel better too.
Most of the study participants reported that smoking cannabis has helped to control their urges or compulsions (60% reduction), unwanted ideas and thoughts (49% reduction), and stress/anxiety (52% reduction). The complete study findings are published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
The research team also explained that a high dose of cannabis can cause abrupt, faster, and better results. However, it is against the previous studies which have confirmed side effects and risk of addiction attached to consuming a high amount of cannabis.
The overall benefits of cannabis when compared to this new study increased the likelihood of medicinal benefits of cannabis which now includes OCD patients too. However, how far these could be stretched is still unknown.
The study has not provided a ‘standard’ dosage to get rid of OCD symptoms. Although it clearly tells that these tests are conducted on self-diagnosed cases, there are chances that the effects on clinically diagnosed OCD patients may be different.
Another thing to add here is that cannabis has definite side effects when used for longer periods. But for short period it has medicinal benefits. There is literally no way to know how much cannabis can help a clinically diagnosed patient to feel better. And how long can he take cannabis to get over this obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms safely?
Also read- India- Worst-hit by Coronavirus and Least Bothered About Precautionary Measures
These findings on CBD are highly promising because they give an easier, simple, and probably the non-intoxicating solution for OCD patients which otherwise rely on medicines with long-term side effects.
The typical treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder only relieve the symptom and don’t really treat the disease. While the same is established for cannabis right now, there are chances that it may help to permanently treat the disease. But it needs more extensive research, clinical patients, and a better way to test the effects. Till then, people have to use cannabis with care and avoid overdosing it or using it for longer periods.
