OCD

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Introduction

OCD is an anxiety disorder characterised by the obsessive urge for repetitive behaviour.

There is substantial overlap between OCD, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and other Autism spectrum disorders and possibly also between the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in the treatment of these disorders.

To date, CBD shows the most promising results in the treatment of OCD. As with many psychiatric disorders there is a clear correlation between the use of cannabis and the occurence of OCD.

Although this might suggest that cannabinoids can induce psychiatric disorders, there is increasing evidence that cannabinoids actually suppress obsessive behaviour.

This opens the possibility that patients are, consciously or unconsciously, self-medicating. More research is required.

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Phytocannabinoids

CBD

Endocannabinoids

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Prescription Advice

To date, preclinical research has indicated CBD may be beneficial in the treatment of OCD. However, given the overlap between OCD and disorders like anxiety, PTSD and ADHD, THC may also have therapeutic value. More research is required.

Given the nature of the disorder, oral or sublingual application may be beneficial but smoking/inhalation also might help.

For inhalation, use until the symptoms subside or side-effects become intolerable.

For oral/sublingual application, please follow generic prescription advice.

Please note that, while based on preclinical and/or clinical research, this prescription advice is solely intended as a guideline to help physicians determine the right prescription. We intend to continuously update our prescription advice based on patient and/or expert feedback. If you have information that this prescription advice is inaccurate, incomplete or outdated please contact us here.

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Literature Discussion

Several studies have pointed out a correlation between the occurrence of OCD and cannabis use (De Alwis et al., 2014; Bidwell et al., 2014; Loflin et al., 2014).

However, whether cannabis use precipitates OCD or cannabis is used to self-medicate against the symptoms of OCD remains to be elucidated.

In one study in mice, CBD, but not CBDV, THCV or CBG, effectively suppressed obsessive compulsive behavior (marble burying)(Deiana et al., 2012).

Interestingly Anandamide can inhibit marble burying behavior (OCD) at low doses (1-10 microgram/mouse ICV) via stimulation of CB1, while stimulating obsessive behavior at high doses (20/40 microgram/mouse ICV) via stimulation of TRPV1 (Umathe et al., 2012).

Thus stimulation of CB1 and/or inhibition of TRPV1 might both be beneficial in the treatment of OCD.

 

References:

De Alwis, D., Agrawal, A., Reiersen, A.M., Constantino, J.N., Henders, A., Martin, N.G., and Lynskey, M.T. (2014). ADHD symptoms, autistic traits, and substance use and misuse in adult Australian twins. J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 75, 211–221.

Bidwell, L.C., Henry, E.A., Willcutt, E.G., Kinnear, M.K., and Ito, T.A. (2014). Childhood and current ADHD symptom dimensions are associated with more severe cannabis outcomes in college students. Drug Alcohol Depend. 135, 88–94.

Deiana, S., Watanabe, A., Yamasaki, Y., Amada, N., Arthur, M., Fleming, S., Woodcock, H., Dorward, P., Pigliacampo, B., Close, S., et al. (2012). Plasma and brain pharmacokinetic profile of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidivarine (CBDV), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabigerol (CBG) in rats and mice following oral and intraperitoneal administration and CBD action on obsessive-compulsive behaviour. Psychopharmacology (Berl.) 219, 859–873.

Loflin, M., Earleywine, M., De Leo, J., and Hobkirk, A. (2014). Subtypes of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cannabis use. Subst. Use Misuse 49, 427–434.

Umathe, S.N., Manna, S.S.S., and Jain, N.S. (2012). endocannabinoid analogues exacerbate marble-burying behavior in mice via TRPV1 receptor. Neuropharmacology 62, 2024–2033.