Some studies suggest that glycine, sarcosine, NAC, several Chinese and ayurvedic herbs, ginkgo biloba, estradiol, and vitamin B6 may be effective for psychotic symptoms when added to antipsychotics (glycine not when added to clozapine).
Alstonia scholaris is used widely in the treatment of anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses. The plant was found to possess antipsychotic effects.
Some studies suggest that glycine, sarcosine, NAC, several Chinese and ayurvedic herbs, ginkgo biloba, estradiol, and vitamin B6 may be effective for psychotic symptoms when added to antipsychotics (glycine not when added to clozapine).
Research suggests schizophrenia may be caused by a change in the level of 2 neurotransmitters: dopamine and serotonin. Some studies indicate an imbalance between the 2 may be the basis of the problem.
However, they found no impact on negative psychotic symptoms. Overall, these results suggest that CBD has an antipsychotic effect in schizophrenia when delivered as an adjunct treatment. However, this effect appears to be very modest and limited to only positive psychotic symptoms.
However, laboratory rodents and human studies have shown that this cannabinoid is able to prevent psychotic-like symptoms induced by high doses of Δ(9)- THC. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that CBD has antipsychotic effects as observed using animal models and in healthy volunteers.
Studies have shown that Chinese herbal medicine has been used to treat millions of people with schizophrenia for thousands of years. It may improve some prognosis of schizophrenia (Rathbone et al., 2007), and there is little evidence of side effects (Deng and Adams, 2016).
B vitamins.
A large review of over 800 patients found that people who took high-dose B-vitamins like B6, B8, and B12 in addition to their medications significantly reduced symptoms of schizophrenia, compared with those who took medicines alone.
Counseling and Talk Therapy Antipsychotic Alternatives Include: Talk therapy provides one of the most effective backbones of effective antipsychotic alternatives treatment, such as: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT.
Eat More: Clams
A number of reports have shown low levels of vitamin B12 in those with psychosis -- a set of mental disorders that schizophrenia is one of. Other research says a bit more B12 can ease symptoms. Clams are a big source of B12. It's found in liver, trout, and in some breads, too.
The research shows that high doses of vitamins B6, B8, and B12, when taken with other forms of treatment, significantly reduced schizophrenia symptoms more than just using traditional methods alone did. It's important to note that this study combined the use of B vitamins with more traditional treatment methods.
In particular, antipsychotic drugs have been linked to an increased risk of falls, diabetes and heart disease. Older adults are also more likely to be prescribed multiple medications, increasing the likelihood of negative drug interactions.
Treatment of schizophrenia without medication is primarily with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy takes place in sessions with a clinical therapist who works with clients to help them manage and navigate reality and distortions in their thoughts.
The review notes that a 4-week trial of 800 milligrams (mg) of CBD led to similar results to amisulpride, an antipsychotic medication, in relieving psychosis and improving cognition.
CBD. Research shows that CBD can actually mitigate some of the more problematic side effects of THC—including paranoia and anxiety. So, if you're feeling paranoid after consuming too much THC, consuming CBD can help bring you back to a less anxious state of mind.
The review found mixed results from both cannabinoids on cognition, negative symptoms, and positive symptoms. It concluded that research doesn't support recommending CBD or THC for the treatment of schizophrenia.
In partnership with GW pharmaceuticals, a company that manufactures CBD, we carried out the first placebo-controlled trial of CBD in patients with psychosis. This showed CBD significantly improved psychotic symptoms (See Figure B), and that this was not associated with any side effects.
However, the benefit is limited to positive symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations and delusions. Negative symptoms such as affective flattening and mood disruption are not affected by CBD.
While CBD has not clearly been linked to psychosis, in cases when it is made from the hemp flower such as that found in keif nugs, it can contain 47.8% of CBD and less than 0.3% of THC.
Schizophrenia is associated with changes in the structure and functioning of a number of key brain systems, including prefrontal and medial temporal lobe regions involved in working memory and declarative memory, respectively.
Decreased brain levels of vitamin B12 have also been reported in schizophrenia[59]. Deficiencies in vitamin D have also been implicated in schizophrenia, and developmental deficiency of D3 has been associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia in adulthood[13,60,61].
Bipolar disorder.
Some people with severe bipolar disorder have delusions or hallucinations. That's why they may be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.