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Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria (Sao... 2019
Topics: Brazil; Cannabis; Commerce; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Marijuana Abuse
PubMed: 31826094
DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2019-4108 -
Neuropharmacology Sep 2017Cannabis sativa preparations are the most consumed illicit drugs for recreational purposes worldwide, and the number of people seeking treatment for cannabis use... (Review)
Review
Cannabis sativa preparations are the most consumed illicit drugs for recreational purposes worldwide, and the number of people seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder has dramatically increased in the last decades. Due to the recent decriminalization or legalization of cannabis use in the Western Countries, we may predict that the number of people suffering from cannabis use disorder will increase. Despite the increasing number of cannabis studies over the past two decades, we have gaps of scientific knowledge pertaining to the neurobiological consequences of long-term cannabis use. Moreover, no specific treatments for cannabis use disorders are currently available. In this review, we explore new research that may help fill these gaps. We discuss and provide a solution to the experimental limitation of a lack of rodent models of THC self-administration, and the importance this model can play in understanding the neurobiology of relapse and in providing a biological rationale for potential therapeutic targets. We also focus our attention on glial cells, commenting on recent preclinical evidence suggesting that alterations in microglia and astrocytes might contribute to the detrimental effects associated with cannabis abuse. Finally, due to the worrisome prevalence rates of cannabis use during pregnancy, we highlight the associations between cannabis use disorders during pregnancy and congenital disorders, describing the possible neuronal basis of vulnerability at molecular and circuit level. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "A New Dawn in Cannabinoid Neurobiology".
Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Marijuana Abuse; Neuroglia
PubMed: 28373077
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.03.033 -
Medecine Sciences : M/S Apr 2015The genetic analyses of addictions recently converted to genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and thanks to national and international consortia, allowed to recruit... (Review)
Review
The genetic analyses of addictions recently converted to genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and thanks to national and international consortia, allowed to recruit large cohorts of patients. This approach allowed the identification of the first susceptibility gene in addiction (tobacco), with genes CHRNA5, CHRNA3 and CHRNB4 encoding the α5, α3 and b4 subunits involved in the formation of nicotinic receptors, explaining 14% of the attributable risk for tobacco dependence. Variants of ADH1B and ADH1C genes encoding alcohol dehydrogenases enzymes have also been consistently associated, this time with alcohol dependence (AD). Finally, DRD2 and ANKK1 genes, involved in the dopaminergic pathway, and which were initially associated with AD, are now considered to be involved in a broader phenotype (addiction to psychoactive substances) including opiates. Future directions in molecular study of addiction are gene x environment interactions though the epigenetic approach. Numerous studies already investigated the methylome in addiction, including histone and microRNA modifications.
Topics: Alcoholism; Behavior, Addictive; Cohort Studies; Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Psychotropic Drugs; Substance-Related Disorders; Tobacco Use Disorder
PubMed: 25958762
DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20153104018 -
Addiction Biology Jun 2008Awareness of cannabis dependence as a clinically relevant issue has grown in recent years. Clinical and laboratory studies demonstrate that chronic marijuana smokers can... (Review)
Review
Awareness of cannabis dependence as a clinically relevant issue has grown in recent years. Clinical and laboratory studies demonstrate that chronic marijuana smokers can experience withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of marijuana smoking and have difficulty abstaining from marijuana use. This paper will review data implicating the cannabinoid CB1 receptor in regulating the behavioral effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannobinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, across a range of species. The behavioral effects that will be discussed include those that directly contribute to the maintenance of chronic marijuana smoking, such as reward, subjective effects, and the positive and negative reinforcing effects of marijuana, THC and synthetic cannabinoids. The role of the CB1 receptor in the development of marijuana dependence and expression of withdrawal will also be discussed. Lastly, treatment options that may alleviate withdrawal symptoms and promote marijuana abstinence will be considered.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Cannabinoids; Dronabinol; Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Motivation; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
PubMed: 18279497
DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2007.00095.x -
Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira... 2005
Topics: Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Substance Abuse Detection
PubMed: 16270134
DOI: 10.1590/s0104-42302005000500008 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Jan 2016
Topics: Anxiety; Cognition Disorders; Humans; Marijuana Abuse
PubMed: 26931525
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2016.0010 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2023Regular cannabis use during adolescence can lead to cognitive, psychological, and social consequences, causing significant distress. Although psychological interventions... (Review)
Review
Regular cannabis use during adolescence can lead to cognitive, psychological, and social consequences, causing significant distress. Although psychological interventions are the mainstay type of treatment for cannabis use disorder, the results remain mixed among youths. The objective of this review is twofold: to identify the existing psychological interventions for cannabis use among youths, and to assess the evidence regarding the effectiveness of those interventions. Randomized controlled trials focused exclusively on cannabis use among adolescents and young adults were included. Three databases-Embase, PsycInfo, and PubMed-were searched to identify relevant peer-reviewed manuscripts published before February 2022 in English and French. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Twenty-five randomized controlled trials were included. Fourteen studies reported a significant outcome related to cannabis use. These were mainly non-intensive, online interventions that aimed to improve the patients' relationships and emotion regulation. This review highlights the need to conduct additional randomized control trials that target cannabis use disorder specifically among adolescents. These randomized control trials should also aim to reduce the risk of bias related to psychiatric comorbidities as well as detection and attrition problems.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Young Adult; Cannabis; Psychosocial Intervention; Marijuana Abuse; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37510578
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146346 -
The American Journal of Drug and... Jul 2017The use of cannabis has garnered more attention recently with ongoing efforts at marijuana legalization. The consequences of cannabis use are not clearly understood and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The use of cannabis has garnered more attention recently with ongoing efforts at marijuana legalization. The consequences of cannabis use are not clearly understood and remain a concern.
OBJECTIVES
To review the acute and persistent effects of cannabis use and associations with psychiatric disorders.
METHODS
Using Pubmed and PsychInfo, we conducted a narrative review of the literature on cannabis and psychiatric comorbidity using the keywords cannab*, marijuana, schizo*, psychosis, mood, depression, mania, bipolar, and anxiety.
RESULTS
There is substantial evidence of cannabis use leading to other illicit drug use and of an association between cannabis use and psychosis. A few reports suggest an association with bipolar disorder while the association with depression and anxiety disorders is mixed.
CONCLUSIONS
Whenever an association is observed between cannabis use and psychiatric disorders, the relationship is generally an adverse one. Age at the time of cannabis use appears to be an important factor with stronger associations observed between adolescent onset cannabis use and later onset of psychiatric disorders. Additional studies taking into account potential confounds (such as withdrawal symptoms, periods of abstinence, and other substance use) and moderators (such as age of initiation of cannabis use, the amount and frequency of drug use, prior history of childhood maltreatment, and gender) are needed to better understand the psychiatric consequences of cannabis use.
Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Age of Onset; Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Marijuana Smoking; Mental Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 27612527
DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2016.1213273 -
Addiction (Abingdon, England) Mar 2020To summarize and evaluate our knowledge of the relationship between heavy cannabis use, cannabis use disorder (CUD) and the brain. (Review)
Review
AIMS
To summarize and evaluate our knowledge of the relationship between heavy cannabis use, cannabis use disorder (CUD) and the brain.
METHODS
Narrative review of relevant literature identified through existing systematic reviews, meta-analyses and a PubMed search. Epidemiology, clinical representations, potential causal mechanisms, assessments, treatment and prognosis are discussed.
RESULTS
Although causality is unclear, heavy and dependent cannabis use is consistently associated with a high prevalence of comorbid psychiatric disorders and learning and memory impairments that seem to recover after a period of abstinence. Evidence regarding other cognitive domains and neurological consequences, including cerebrovascular events, is limited and inconsistent. Abstinence after treatment is only achieved in a minority of cases; treatment targeted at reduction in use appears have some success. Potential moderators of the impact of CUD on the brain include age of onset, heaviness of use, CUD severity, the ratio of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol to cannabidiol and severity of comorbid disorders.
CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence of long-term effects of daily cannabis use and cannabis use disorder on brain-related outcomes is suggestive rather than conclusive, but use is associated with psychiatric morbidity and with cognitive impairments that recover after a period of abstinence.
Topics: Age of Onset; Brain; Causality; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Comorbidity; Dronabinol; Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 31408248
DOI: 10.1111/add.14776 -
The International Journal on Drug Policy Apr 2017Social attitudes and cultural norms around the issue of substance abuse are shifting rapidly around the world, leading to complex and unpredictable consequences. On the... (Review)
Review
Social attitudes and cultural norms around the issue of substance abuse are shifting rapidly around the world, leading to complex and unpredictable consequences. On the positive side, efforts to more intensely disseminate the scientific evidence for the many connections between chronic substance use and the emergence of measurable and discrete brain dysfunctions, has ushered in an evolving climate of acceptance and a new era of improved access to more effective interventions, at least in the United States. On the negative side, there has been a steady erosion in the public perception of the harms associated with the use of popular drugs, especially cannabis. This worrisome trend has sprouted at the convergence of several forces that have combined, more or less fortuitously, to effectively change long-standing policies away from prohibition and toward decriminalization or legalization. These forces include the outsized popularity of the cannabis plant among recreational users, the unflagging campaign by corporate lobbyists and patient advocates to mainstream its medicinal use, and the honest realization in some quarters of the deleterious impact of the drug war and its draconian cannabis laws, in particular, on society's most vulnerable populations. Updating drug policies is a desirable goal, and significant changes may indeed be warranted. However, there is a real concern when policy changes are hurriedly implemented without the required input from the medical, scientific, or policy research communities. Regardless of how well intentioned, such initiatives are bound to magnify the potential for unintended adverse consequences in the form of far ranging health and social costs. To minimize this risk, science must be front and center in this important policy debate. Here, we review the state of the science on cannabis and cannabinoid health effects, both adverse and therapeutic. We focus on the prevalence of use in different populations, the mechanisms by which cannabis exerts its effects (i.e., via the endocannabinoid system), and the double-edged potential of this system to inspire new medications, on one hand, and to cause short and long term harmful effects on the other. By providing knowledge of cannabis' broad ranging effects, we hope to enable better decision making regarding cannabis legislation and policy implementation.
Topics: Endocannabinoids; Humans; Legislation, Drug; Marijuana Abuse; Medical Marijuana; Plant Extracts; Public Policy; Science
PubMed: 28189459
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.01.007