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Journal of Neurochemistry Jun 2021Cannabis sativa is the most widely used illicit drug in the world. Its main psychoactive component is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of over 100... (Review)
Review
Cannabis sativa is the most widely used illicit drug in the world. Its main psychoactive component is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of over 100 phytocannabinoid compounds produced by the cannabis plant. THC is the primary compound that drives cannabis abuse potential and is also used and prescribed medically for therapeutic qualities. Despite its therapeutic potential, a significant subpopulation of frequent cannabis or THC users will develop a drug use syndrome termed cannabis use disorder. Individuals suffering from cannabis use disorder exhibit many of the hallmarks of classical addictions including cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Currently, there are no efficacious treatments for cannabis use disorder or withdrawal symptoms. This makes both clinical and preclinical research on the neurobiological mechanisms of these syndromes ever more pertinent. Indeed, basic research using animal models has provided valuable evidence of the neural molecular and cellular actions of cannabis that mediate its behavioral effects. One of the main components being central action on the cannabinoid type-one receptor and downstream intracellular signaling related to the endogenous cannabinoid system. Back-translational studies have provided insight linking preclinical basic and behavioral biology research to better understand symptoms observed at the clinical level. This narrative review aims to summarize major research elucidating the molecular, cellular, and behavioral manifestations of cannabis/THC use that play a role in cannabis use disorder and withdrawal.
Topics: Animals; Dronabinol; Drug Tolerance; Endocannabinoids; Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Marijuana Smoking; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
PubMed: 33891706
DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15369 -
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental... Jan 2011Adolescence is a period in which cognition and brain undergo dramatic parallel development. Whereas chronic use of alcohol and marijuana is known to cause cognitive...
BACKGROUND
Adolescence is a period in which cognition and brain undergo dramatic parallel development. Whereas chronic use of alcohol and marijuana is known to cause cognitive impairments in adults, far less is known about the effect of these substances of abuse on adolescent cognition, including possible interactions with developmental processes.
METHODS
Neuropsychological performance, alcohol use, and marijuana use were assessed in 48 adolescents (ages 12 to 18), recruited in 3 groups: a healthy control group (HC, n = 15), a group diagnosed with substance abuse or dependence (SUD, n = 19), and a group with a family history positive for alcohol use disorder (AUD) but no personal substance use disorder (FHP, n = 14). Age, drinks per drinking day (DPDD), percentage days drinking, and percentage days using marijuana were considered as covariates in a MANCOVA in which 6 neuropsychological composites (Verbal Reasoning, Visuospatial Ability, Executive Function, Memory, Attention, and Processing Speed) served as dependent variables.
RESULTS
More DPDD predicted poorer performance on Attention and Executive Function composites, and more frequent use of marijuana was associated with poorer Memory performance. In separate analyses, adolescents in the SUD group had lower scores on Attention, Memory, and Processing Speed composites, and FHP adolescents had poorer Visuospatial Ability.
CONCLUSIONS
In combination, these analyses suggest that heavy alcohol use in adolescence leads to reduction in attention and executive functioning and that marijuana use exerts an independent deleterious effect on memory. At the same time, premorbid deficits associated with family history of AUD appeared to be specific to visuospatial ability.
Topics: Adolescent; Alcohol-Related Disorders; Alcoholism; Attention; Brain; Child; Cognition; Female; Humans; Male; Marijuana Abuse; Memory; Mental Processes; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Space Perception
PubMed: 20958330
DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01320.x -
American Family Physician Dec 1999Over 50 percent of people will use marijuana sometime in their life. While intoxication lasts two to three hours, the active ingredient in marijuana,... (Review)
Review
Over 50 percent of people will use marijuana sometime in their life. While intoxication lasts two to three hours, the active ingredient in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydro-cannabinol, can accumulate in fatty tissues, including the brain and testes. Adverse effects from marijuana use include decreased coordination, epithelial damage to the lungs, increased risk of infection, cardiovascular effects and cognitive deficits. Unexplained behavior changes, altered social relationships and poor performance at school or work can signify a drug problem. Treatment requires a combination of education, social support, drug monitoring and attention to comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions.
Topics: Cannabis; Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Patient Education as Topic; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; Teaching Materials
PubMed: 10605993
DOI: No ID Found -
Annals of the Academy of Medicine,... May 2004The prevalence of recreational drug abuse among young adults, including women, has increased markedly over the last 2 decades. Nearly 90 % of these women are of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The prevalence of recreational drug abuse among young adults, including women, has increased markedly over the last 2 decades. Nearly 90 % of these women are of childbearing age. Marijuana remains the drug most commonly used for recreational purposes in pregnancy. However, there appears to be an absence of uniform guidelines for obstetric and anaesthetic management of pregnant patients with a history of marijuana abuse.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A Medline search for articles highlighting drug abuse in pregnancy, with particular emphasis on marijuana abuse in pregnancy, the drug 's impact on the fetus and implications for administration of obstetrical anaesthesia was performed.
RESULTS
Because the pharmacological actions of marijuana are complex and include a unique blend of effects, the clinical picture could be very unpredictable, the diagnosis often difficult, and management at times controversial.
CONCLUSION
In the absence of uniform anaesthetic guidelines for pregnant patients with a history of drug abuse, including abuse of marijuana, the decision regarding administration of peripartum analgesia or anaesthesia should be individualised and conducted on a case-by-case basis.
Topics: Anesthesia, Obstetrical; Cannabinoids; Female; Fetus; Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
PubMed: 15175775
DOI: No ID Found -
Stroke May 2021
Topics: Adult; Carotid Artery Diseases; Carotid Artery, Internal; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Computed Tomography Angiography; Humans; Male; Marijuana Abuse
PubMed: 33765867
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.032428 -
Addictive Behaviors Jan 2018Depression is one of the most consistent risk factors implicated in both the course of escalating substance use behaviors and in the development of substance dependence...
BACKGROUND
Depression is one of the most consistent risk factors implicated in both the course of escalating substance use behaviors and in the development of substance dependence symptoms, including those associated with marijuana use. In the present study, we evaluate if depression is associated with marijuana use disorder symptoms across the continuum of marijuana use frequency.
METHODS
Data were drawn from six annual surveys of the National Survey of Drug Use and Health to include adults who reported using marijuana at least once in the past 30days (N=28,557).
RESULTS
After statistical control for sociodemographic characteristics and substance use behaviors including marijuana use, alcohol use, smoking, and use of illicit substances other than marijuana, depression was positively and significantly associated with each of the marijuana use disorder symptoms as well as the symptom total score. Adult marijuana users with depression were consistently more likely to experience marijuana use disorder symptoms and a larger number of symptoms, with the magnitude and direction of the relationship generally consistent across all levels of marijuana use frequency from 1day used in the past month to daily marijuana use.
CONCLUSIONS
Depression is a consistent risk factor for marijuana use disorder symptoms over and above exposure to marijuana suggesting that depressed individuals may represent an important subgroup in need of targeted substance use intervention.
Topics: Adult; Comorbidity; Depressive Disorder; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Male; Marijuana Abuse; Marijuana Use; Risk Factors; United States
PubMed: 28843729
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.08.013 -
Australian Family Physician Dec 2016Globally, cannabis is the most widely used and variably regulated illicit drug. The rates of use appeared to be stable in Australia at the time of the 2013 National Drug... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Globally, cannabis is the most widely used and variably regulated illicit drug. The rates of use appeared to be stable in Australia at the time of the 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, but levels of cannabis use disorder are rising and treatment seeking is increasing internationally.
OBJECTIVE
This article describes the prevalence of cannabis use, associated disorders (eg harms with early and frequent use), and information on assessment and management. Links to a range of free online and telephone resources are provided.
DISCUSSION
Cannabis use is common and around one in 10 people who ever used cannabis will go on to develop a cannabis use disorder diagnosable according to the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition criteria. Substance use disorders comorbid with mental health conditions are common, and the two should be assessed and treated concurrently. A screening algorithm and review of the evidence for psychosocial interventions, including technological platforms such as web-based and telephone, is provided.
Topics: Australia; Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Prevalence
PubMed: 27903036
DOI: No ID Found -
The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine Sep 2015Marijuana has been shown to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) but with limited duration of action and numerous adverse effects. Use of marijuana to lower IOP as a means... (Review)
Review
Marijuana has been shown to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) but with limited duration of action and numerous adverse effects. Use of marijuana to lower IOP as a means of glaucoma treatment would require frequent use throughout the day, leading to significant adverse effects, possible progression toward Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), and/or withdrawal symptoms. The treatment of glaucoma based on the cannabis plant or drugs based on the cannabinoid molecule should be considered carefully before being prescribed. Considerations should include the adverse physical and psychological adverse effects, including substance abuse. Currently, the deleterious effects of marijuana outweigh the benefits of its IOP-lowering capacity in most glaucoma patients. Under extremely rare circumstances, a few categories of glaucoma patients may be potential candidates for treatment with medical marijuana. Further studies on alternate routes and more focused means of cannabinoid molecule delivery to the eye for glaucoma treatment are needed.
Topics: Evidence-Based Medicine; Glaucoma; Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Medical Marijuana; Risk Assessment; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26339209
DOI: No ID Found -
Substance Abuse 2020The present study investigated the mediating role of protective behavioral strategies for marijuana (PBSM) on the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder...
The present study investigated the mediating role of protective behavioral strategies for marijuana (PBSM) on the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and marijuana outcomes (i.e. marijuana use frequency, marijuana use quantity, cannabis use disorder (CUD) symptoms, and marijuana-related problems). Participants were 1,107 traditional age college students ( = 20.26, = 3.32; 66.5% White, non-Hispanic; 68.8% female), who reported consuming marijuana at least once in the last 30 days and completed measures of PTSD symptoms, PBSM, and marijuana-related outcomes. PBSM significantly mediated the positive relationships between PTSD symptoms and both CUD symptoms and marijuana-related problems. More specifically, PTSD symptoms were negatively associated with PBSM, which in turn was negatively associated with marijuana use frequency and marijuana use quantity, which were in turn positively associated with CUD symptoms and marijuana-related problems. : Taken together, the associations between higher PTSD symptoms and greater experience of CUD symptoms and marijuana-related problems may occur because students use fewer PBSM and thus engage in larger quantity and frequency of marijuana use. These findings lend support to the utility of targeting PBSM as a harm reduction effort for students with PTSD symptoms who use marijuana.
Topics: Adolescent; Female; Humans; Male; Marijuana Abuse; Marijuana Use; Protective Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Young Adult
PubMed: 31361581
DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2019.1635965 -
The Permanente Journal May 2021Amidst a rapidly changing legal landscape, cannabis use in the United States has become increasingly common in the past several years. There is strong evidence to... (Review)
Review
Amidst a rapidly changing legal landscape, cannabis use in the United States has become increasingly common in the past several years. There is strong evidence to suggest that chronic and early cannabis use increases the risk of developing a psychotic disorder, and there is at least moderate evidence that suggests ongoing cannabis use among individuals with a psychotic disorder worsens clinical outcomes (eg, decreased psychiatric medication adherence, more frequent psychiatric hospitalizations). In this Review Article, we provide a focused, clinically oriented overview of the epidemiology and characteristics of cannabis use among individuals with first-episode psychosis; evaluation of cannabis use; and treatment modalities, focusing on behavioral interventions suitable for outpatient primary care settings. We discuss the limited data supporting pharmacologic interventions for cannabis use disorder, specifically among individuals with first-episode psychosis, and the unique potential of cannabidiol to serve as a harm-reduction strategy for individuals who are not able or willing to achieve abstinence for cannabis.
Topics: Analgesics; Cannabidiol; Cannabis; Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 35348056
DOI: 10.7812/TPP/20.179