International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences

Background: Cannabis-related psychiatric disturbances present significant therapeutic challenges in clinical practice. Systematic evaluation frameworks for symptom assessment and remedy selection remain underdeveloped in homeopathic literature.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a structured rubric-based assessment protocol in guiding homeopathic prescription for cannabis-related psychiatric disturbances and to assess clinical outcomes using standardized rating scales.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over 12 months involving 45 patients aged 18-55 years presenting with cannabis-related psychiatric symptoms. A custom-designed rubric incorporated key symptoms extracted from homeopathic repertories (psychological, constitutional, and modality-based symptoms). The DOAP (Diagnostic, Objectives, Assessment, and Planning) framework guided case evaluation. Outcome measures included Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test (CUDIT), Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), and homeopathic cure assessment criteria (marked improvement, improving, not improved).

Results: Of 45 cases, 32 (71.1%) demonstrated marked improvement, 10 (22.2%) showed improvement, and 3 (6.7%) showed no improvement. Mean BPRS score reduced from 42.8±8.3 at baseline to 18.4±6.2 at 12 weeks (p<0.001). Frequently indicated remedies included Nux vomica, Lycopodium clavatum, Pulsatilla nigricans, and Cannabis indica. Rubric-based approach facilitated accurate totality of symptoms in 91.1% of cases, improving remedy selection accuracy and reducing prescription time by average 35%.

Conclusion: Structured rubric-based evaluation combined with DOAP framework enhances accuracy of homeopathic prescription in cannabis-related psychiatric disturbances. This systematic approach demonstrates superior clinical outcomes compared to conventional prescribing methods and provides a replicable framework for clinical research and education.