Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death globally and responsible for the second highest number of deaths in Canada. Medical advancements in the treatment of CVD have led to patients living longer with CVD but often progressing to another condition called heart failure (HF). As a result, HF has emerged in the last decade as a major medical concern. Fortunately, various “traditional” pharmacotherapies for HF exist and have shown success in reducing HF-associated mortality. However, to augment the treatment of patients with CVD and/or HF, alternative pharmacotherapies using nutraceuticals have also shown promise in the prevention and treatment of these two conditions. One of these natural compounds considered to potentially help treat HF and CVD and prevent their development is resveratrol. Herein, we review the clinical findings of resveratrol’s ability to be used as an effective treatment to potentially help treat HF and CVD. This will allow us to gain a more fulsome appreciation for the effects of resveratrol in the health outcomes of specific patient populations who have various disorders that constitute CVD.
Research suggests that cannabis-derived delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can be linked to the worsening of psychosis and/or other symptoms of schizophrenia. However, studies have shown that another major cannabinoid found in cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD), may be a potential alternative or adjunctive treatment for psychosis and schizophrenia. As such, herein we review the relevant literature relating to the safety and efficacy of CBD treatment in patients with schizophrenia, including the effects of CBD in treating the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of the disorder, as well as the molecular mechanisms by which CBD can reduce schizophrenic symptoms. The potential utility of CBD for mitigating cannabis cravings and cannabis withdrawal in this patient population will also be reviewed. Lastly, the dosing, method of drug delivery, length of treatment, and adverse effects of CBD in patients with schizophrenia are also discussed. Thus, the goal of this narrative review is to help clinicians and researchers better understand the risks and benefits of this potential therapy for this patient population.
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