Envisioning Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Biased Signaling as a Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia.
| Journal | The American journal of psychiatry |
| Study Type | Clinical Study |
| Population | Human participants |
This item covers developments relevant to cannabis medicine and clinical practice. Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material.
The relationship between the endocannabinoid system and the emergence and treatment of schizophrenia-related symptoms continues to be a topic of significant interest within psychiatry. Cannabis is the most widely used recreational drug worldwide, and individuals with schizophrenia use it at a much higher rate than the general population. The shared genetic risk for schizophrenia and cannabis use may partially account for this phenomenon. However, the exposure to cannabis in individuals at risk of schizophrenia appears to not only represent the manifestation of overlapping risks, but also pharmacological exacerbation of an already altered cortical system. Thus, cannabis use dose-dependently increases the likelihood of receiving a schizophrenia diagnosis, acutely exacerbates schizophrenia symptoms, and worsens long-term prognosis for individuals with schizophrenia. The psychoactive substance in cannabis, Δ
“This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.”
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FAQ
Do people with schizophrenia use cannabis more than the general population?
Yes. The article notes that cannabis is the most widely used recreational drug worldwide and that individuals with schizophrenia use it at a much higher rate than the general population. The authors suggest that shared genetic risk for schizophrenia and cannabis use may partially account for this pattern.
Not according to the authors. They argue that cannabis exposure in people at risk of schizophrenia appears to represent not only overlapping risks but also pharmacological exacerbation of an already altered cortical system. In other words, cannabis may worsen brain systems that are already affected, beyond simply sharing risk factors with the illness.
How does cannabis use affect schizophrenia risk and its long-term course?
The authors state that cannabis use dose-dependently increases the likelihood of receiving a schizophrenia diagnosis, meaning more use is tied to a higher likelihood. They also state that it acutely worsens schizophrenia symptoms and worsens the long-term prognosis for people who already have schizophrenia.
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