The induction of status epilepticus-like activity by CB1 receptor antagonists was reversible and could be overcome by maximal concentrations of CB1 agonists.188 Arachidonyl-2′-chloroethylamide

(ACEA), a highly selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, enhances the anticonvulsant action of valproate in a mouse maximal electroshock-induced seizure model.189 There are currently insufficient data to determine whether occasional or chronic marijuana use influences seizure frequency.190 In one case report, marijuana smoking was proposed Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical to induce seizures.191 In another study, patients suffering from secondary generalized epilepsy with temporal focus treated with CBD remained almost free of convulsive crises throughout the experiment; other patients demonstrated partial improvement in their clinical condition.192 Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, insomnia Cannabis use is common in patients with bipolar disorder, and anecdotal reports suggest that some patients use marijuana to alleviate symptoms of both mania and depression.193 In a case report, one female patient found that cannabis curbed her manic rages; others described the use of

cannabis as a supplement to lithium (allowing reduced consumption) or for relief of lithium’s side effects.194 The effect Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of cannabinoids on schizophrenia is controversial. Neuropsychological results in THC-intoxicated normal volunteers exhibit strong similarities with data acquired from patients suffering from productive schizophrenic psychoses, as regards Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical disturbances in internal regulation of perceptual processes.195 In a recent study, it was found that anandamide levels are enhanced Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical in firstepisode schizophrenic patients, and that THC downregulates anandamide signaling.196 This observation possibly means that THC lowers endogenous production of anandamide, which may actually be a defense mechanism – presumably comparable to the known observation that administration of corticosteroids blocks corticosteroid synthesis. Data from experimental-psychological tests show that personality changes

generated by schizophrenia progression are comparable to psychopathological phenomenon due to cannabis intoxication.197 In another study, psychosis, which develops or recurs in the Adenylyl cyclase context of cannabis use, did not have a characteristic psychopathology or mode of onset.198 First-episode schizophrenic patients with long-term cannabis consumption were significantly younger at disease onset, LY2228820 mostly male, and suffered more often from paranoid schizophrenia (with a better prognosis) than those without cannabis consumption.199 However, a trend towards more insight and of fewer abusive or accusatory hallucinations was seen amongst cannabis users. This argues against a distinct schizophrenia-like psychosis caused by cannabis.