Cannabidiol - Therapy for schizophrenia

Have you been diagnosed with psychosis / schizophrenia?

Learn more about our CBD-based treatment.

Title of the study

Enhancing recovery in early schizophrenia - a multicenter, two-arm, double-blind, randomized clinical trial investigating cannabidiol vs. placebo as an add-on medication to an individualized antipsychotic treatment (CBD-ESPRIT).

What is CBD-ESPRIT?

This is a research study investigating whether a new treatment option called cannabidiol can help people with schizophrenia recover faster, when combined with their regular medication. We refer to this study as CBD-ESPRIT for short.

  • Are you between 18 and 65 years old?

  • Have you been diagnosed with schizophrenic psychosis in the last 15 years?

  • Are you taking (or planning to take) tablets such as amisulpride, aripiprazole, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine, or risperidone?

Background and synopsis of the study 

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is like a helper in our body that does many jobs. In the brain, the endocannabinoid system regulates a variety of processes, including neuronal communication (neurotransmitter release), the inflammatory response and brain plasticity (the brain's ability to adapt and change). Overall, the endocannabinoid system helps to keep neuronal activity and brain function in balance.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the body’s own endocannabinoid system in the brain is linked to the pathology of psychosis. This system is made up of chemicals that are affected e.g., by drugs derived from the cannabis plant (commonly known as hemp plant), like marijuana and hashish. One of the two most important cannabinoids of the cannabis plant is cannabidiol (CBD). In contrast to THC – the other major cannabinoid of cannabis – CBD is not intoxicating.

Our trial is investigating if high-purity CBD in so-called medicinal quality has the potential to help prevent relapse and improve symptoms of early psychosis/schizophrenia when used in combination with classical antipsychotic drugs (e.g., amisulpride, aripiprazole, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine, or risperidone). The trial is comparing this treatment (antipsychotic + CBD) to a placebo treatment (antipsychotic + placebo).

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a study that investigates a treatment for medical conditions, including schizophrenia. People volunteer to participate in these studies, which can include investigating potential new medicines, surgeries, or other treatments.

Before a trial can begin, it must be carefully planned, reviewed, and approved.

Ethical Considerations

The CBD-ESPRIT study has been reviewed and given a positive assessment by the responsible ethics committee. Moreover, it was approved by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). As required by law, all study participants are additionally insured in the unlikely event of damage to health as a result of treatment with cannabidiol.

Your participation in this study is voluntary. Therefore, you can only participate in this study if you provide your written informed consent. If you do not wish to participate in the study or wish to withdraw from it later, you will not face any disadvantages as a result.

If you’re interested, please use our contact form

We will then forward your enquiry to a participating study center that is suitable for you. The study staff will contact you directly using the contact details you provide.

If you decide to take part in the study, you will only be contacted by the study team.