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cannabis use disorder

This is a drawing of a cannabis pharmacy.

·May 8, 2025·5 min read

Legal Cannabis Linked to Less Problematic Use, Better Mental Health

The Weed Care study in Switzerland is investigating how legal access to cannabis affects users' consumption and mental health. In the first randomized trial of its kind, participants buying cannabis legally showed a slight decline in problematic use, especially among those who also used other drugs.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 28, 2025·6 min read

Cannabis Use Disorder Linked to Psychosis Brain Changes

New research shows that individuals with cannabis use disorder have elevated dopamine levels in brain regions associated with psychosis. Using neuromelanin-sensitive MRI scans, scientists found increased dopamine activity, visible as darker brain spots, in cannabis users regardless of schizophrenia diagnosis.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·December 6, 2024·6 min read

Psychosis Risk Tied to Heavy Cannabis Use and Genetic Factors

Heavy cannabis use and genetic risk for schizophrenia independently contribute to the likelihood of developing psychosis. Researchers used two large datasets to analyze the relationship between cannabis use, schizophrenia polygenic risk scores (PRS), and psychosis.

This shows a child, her parents and leaves.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 5, 2024·4 min read

Teens’ Views on Cannabis Tied to Perceptions of Parental Use

Teens who perceive their parents use cannabis are more likely to hold favorable views toward the drug and express intentions to try it. The impact of parental cannabis use perception varies by parent gender, with closeness to mothers and fathers influencing teens’ attitudes differently.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 23, 2024·5 min read

Alcohol Use Predicts Escalating Cannabis Vaping Among Youth

A recent study highlights alcohol as the strongest predictor of cannabis vaping initiation and experimentation among youth and young adults, regardless of demographic factors. Conducted over three years, the research found that alcohol consumption increased the likelihood of transitioning from non-use to cannabis vaping.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 21, 2024·4 min read

Cannabis Worsens Brain Connectivity Deficits in Psychosis Risk

Young adults at risk of psychosis show reduced synaptic density, a critical brain connectivity deficit that cannabis use appears to exacerbate, according to new research. The study revealed lower synaptic density linked to social withdrawal and motivational deficits, symptoms poorly addressed by current medications.

This shows the outline of people and brains.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 13, 2024·4 min read

Metabolic Pathways Link Cannabis to Psychosis in Teens

A study investigated how cannabis use influences metabolomic patterns linked to psychotic-like experiences in adolescents. Blood samples revealed that non-cannabis users showed inflammatory metabolic changes associated with hallucinations, while cannabis users exhibited shifts in energy-related metabolites tied to brain ketogenesis. These findings suggest that cannabis use may trigger distinct molecular pathways in psychotic-like experiences.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·October 17, 2024·6 min read

Cannabis Leaves Molecular Marks on DNA Linked to Psychosis

Frequent use of high-potency cannabis leaves unique molecular marks on DNA, particularly affecting genes related to energy and immune function. Researchers found that DNA methylation—an epigenetic modification—differed between frequent cannabis users who had experienced psychosis and those who had not, suggesting a possible genetic link to psychosis risk.

This shows a pregnant woman and cannabis plants.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 4, 2024·5 min read

Long-term Impact of Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Explored

A study examining the effects of prenatal exposure to synthetic cannabinoids in rats found that the drug leads to long-term health issues in their offspring. Male rats showed an increased sensitivity to CO2, making them more prone to panic-like behavior, while females exhibited cardiovascular problems like hypertension and tachycardia.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 1, 2024·3 min read

Teen Attention Deficits Signal Greater Risk of Substance Use

New research shows that lower sustained attention in adolescence can predict a higher likelihood of cigarette and cannabis use by young adulthood. The study, which analyzed brain imaging data from over 1,000 participants, found that reduced attention at age 14 was linked to increased substance use by age 23.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 27, 2024·4 min read

Cannabis Use in Pregnancy Alters Genes in Developing Brain

New research has found that cannabis use during pregnancy can cause molecular changes in the genes of exposed children, impacting brain development. The study identified significant DNA alterations in genes related to neurodevelopment, suggesting a direct link between prenatal cannabis exposure and developmental issues.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 5, 2024·4 min read

Long-Term Cannabis Use Linked to Sleep and Memory Issues

Long-term cannabis users experience more sleep problems, which are associated with poorer visuospatial memory performance. Researchers compared 141 regular cannabis users to 87 non-users and found that chronic cannabis use may worsen both sleep and memory, despite its common use as a sleep aid.