Can Medical Marijuana help with Schizoaffective Disorder?

Almost 37 states in the U.S. allow for the medical use of marijuana. There are several possible health benefits of medical marijuana, including nausea, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and much more. Today we are here to find out can medical marijuana help with schizoaffective disorder.

Schizoaffective disorder is a major psychiatric disorder in which a person experiences symptoms of schizophrenia and a mood disorder. People with schizoaffective disorder can have various symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, low motivation, and concentration. A stat by NAMI (national alliance on mental illness), Schizoaffective is relatively rare, with a lifetime prevalence of only 0.3%.

Researchers have found and are continuing to see the effects of marijuana on Schizoaffective disorder. It’s been known that using marijuana daily can cause paranoia and psychosis (in short, experiencing hallucinations and delusions). It also can create symptoms very much like the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Is Marijuana An Effective Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment?

There are many schizoaffective disorder medications available. Doctors generally prescribe Antipsychotics ( A medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder), Mood-stabilizing medications, and Antidepressants.

In addition to medication, doctors also prescribe psychotherapy, also called talk therapy. Psychotherapy may include Individual therapy and family or group therapy.

Researchers worldwide have studied how schizoaffective disorder can best be treated with marijuana. Their research shows that while some people experience lessening symptoms, others find that their symptoms worsen, sometimes drastically.

Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of schizophrenia and mood disorder. Marijuana may alleviate the symptoms of a mood disorder, but it will increase the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Can People With Schizophrenia Use Marijuana?

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder affecting speech, thinking, and emotions. Two main symptoms include delusions and hallucinations.

THC may have a causative effect on schizophrenia. The THC could also worsen schizophrenia symptoms, such as psychosis. Currently, there is insufficient evidence for the effect of THC or CBD (the active component of marijuana ) on schizophrenia. As such, it does not recommend using medical cannabis to treat the condition.

Does Using Marijuana Make It Harder For Schizoaffective Disorder Patients To Recover?

Schizoaffective disorder is a psychotic illness. Psychotic illnesses are mental illnesses that have symptoms of hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions. These symptoms together are called “psychosis.” Schizophrenia is the best-known psychotic illness. Some other psychotic illness is schizoaffective disorder. Many scientific studies agree that people who use marijuana may increase their symptoms of schizoaffective disorder.

People with mental illnesses like schizoaffective disorder seem to have a slower, more challenging time recovering if they use marijuana. They also seem to have more relapses and need to be hospitalized more for their illnesses. If you use cannabis and have a mental illness, you must let your doctor or physician know. Knowing about your marijuana use will help them make better decisions about your treatment.

Why It’s Hard to Treat Schizoaffective Disorder with Medical Marijuana

Schizophrenia requires vigilant, lifelong treatment. Using marijuana as a lifelong treatment for treatment may increase the dependency on marijuana, leading to marijuana abuse. Marijuana abuse describes the continued use of marijuana despite impairment in psychological, physical, or social functioning.

Additionally, marijuana eases most mental symptoms by increasing the level of dopamine and serotine along with hallucination and delusion effects. It will cut out the consumer from reality and make them high. The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder are hallucinations and delusions.

Many studies suggest that the drug may:

• Make existing symptoms worse
• Put you at risk for substance abuse

Thus, patients with schizoaffective disorder consume marijuana as a regular treatment may increase their symptoms rather than alleviate them.

Conclusion

Before starting medical marijuana treatment for schizoaffective disorder, It is essential to always consult with your physician before starting your marijuana treatment. Working with a doctor to create a treatment plan that addresses your symptoms is necessary. Ask your doctor about the medical marijuana program. These programs understand how to treat your medical conditions with marijuana. For more information about medical marijuana and mental or physical health treatment, contact My MMJ Doctor.