The university’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research is on the front lines of marijuana understanding
A company behind the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical cannabinoids (CBD), INSYS Therapeutics, is partnering with UC San Diego’s School of Medicine in a unique program. They will study how the company’s proprietary CBD oral solution can be effective on a number of symptoms related to early psychosis.
UC San Diego, with its Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR), is involved in a number of projects that are bringing to light the real value of cannabis and marijuana. The new partnership will see the application of the oral solution to pediatric patients and follows a previous joint study launched by the two entities. In April, the CMCR and INSYS began researching the effects of its CBD solution on pediatric patients with autism. INSYS has agreed to share the proprietary formula with the school in order to facilitate both studies.
Kristen Cadenhead, MD, a professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego, stated, “As a result of this new study announced today, we expect to learn whether CBD reduces symptoms and improves cognition in early psychosis. In addition, we plan to explore the effect of CBD on the biological response to psychosocial stress, and the effect of CBD on the eating behavior induced by antipsychotic medication.”
CMCR Director Igor Grant, MD, added: “Cannabinoids such as CBD deserve rigorous study into their possible value in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. We are pleased that through our collaboration with INSYS we have an opportunity to advance the field.”
The CMCR was established in 2000, making it one of the first in the country to study marijuana and cannabis. Its work has led to a number of advancements, revealing both the short- and long-term benefits of cannabis for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. The school has a number of ongoing research projects that will continue to show the vast list of benefits associated with the drug.
