“Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) is a common mental health disorder, manifesting with a range of chronic and debilitating symptoms, including impaired social functioning, unstable mood, and risky impulsive or self-injurious behaviour. Whilst the exact aetiology has not been fully elucidated, implicated factors seem to include genetic factors, environmental causes such as trauma, and neurotransmitter deficits.
The literature suggests that impaired functioning of the endocannabinoid system in key brain regions responsible for emotional processing and stress response may underlie the manifestation of EUPD symptoms. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2009 guidelines state that “no drugs have established efficacy in treating or managing EUPD”, and yet, patients are commonly prescribed medication which includes antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood stabilisers.
Here we present a case series of seven participants diagnosed with EUPD and treated with cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). Participants were given an initial assessment and followed up one month after CBMPs prescription. Improvement in symptoms was assessed by the completion of ratified rating scales by the participant and psychiatrist.
Our results indicate that CBMPs were effective and well tolerated, as six participants reported a noticeable improvement in their symptoms and functioning. Although promising, further research is needed to ascertain the long-term tolerability, efficacy, and dosing strategy for CBMPs in EUPD.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36358392/
“To our knowledge, this case series represents the first medical evidence of the use of CBMPs for the clinical management of patients with a diagnosis of EUPD, who are met with limited pharmacological options typically based on the off-label use of psychiatric medications.
Cannabinoids may represent a novel, efficacious, and safe treatment alternative for EUPD patients.
The neuro- and immune-modulatory effects of THC and CBD seem theoretically well-aligned with cellular and molecular deficits that are currently being investigated as key features underlying the pathogenesis of EUPD. Although preliminary, our results suggest that, when deployed in a rigorously controlled clinical environment, CBMPs can provide substantial improvement in symptoms associated with EUPD thus warranting the need for further research on this therapeutical strategy.”