Get a Clue - Weed

Details: Published: 18 January 2023; Hits: 1163

Details: Published: 11 January 2023; Hits: 1033

JAMA Psychiatry. Published online November 23, 2022. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.3915
Question  Is there an association between adolescent high-dose Ä9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure and cognitive vulnerability in adulthood?
Findings  In this rat model, high-dose THC exposure during adolescence resulted in risky decision-making and impulsivity in adulthood, similar to results from reanalyzed data from 37 human chronic cannabis users, an association enhanced by acute THC reexposure. Adolescent THC exposure induced cell-specific and layer-specific changes in cannabinoid-1 receptor gene expression and astrocyte perturbations in the amygdala and prelimbic cortex.
Meaning  These results emphasize significant neurobiological outcomes of high-dose adolescent THC exposure and cognitive vulnerability in adulthood.
Abstract
Importance  Although perceived as relatively harmless and nonaddictive, adolescent cannabis use significantly increases the likelihood of developing cannabis use disorder in adulthood, especially for high-potency cannabis. Risky decision-making is associated with chronic cannabis use, but given confounds of human studies, it remains unclear whether adolescent cannabis exposure and Ä9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potency specifically predicts risky decision-making or influences cognitive response to the drug later in life.
Objective  To leverage a human data set of cannabis users and a rat model to evaluate the long-term outcomes of adolescent THC exposure on adult decision-making and impulse control.
Conclusions and Relevance  In this translational study, high-dose adolescent THC exposure was associated with cognitive vulnerability in adulthood, especially with THC re-exposure. These data also suggest a link between astrocytes and cognition that altogether provides important insights regarding the neurobiological genesis of risky cannabis use that may help promote prevention and treatment efforts.
(Source: JAMA Adolescent Psychiatry )

Details: Published: 11 January 2023; Hits: 1092

The latest study involved nearly 340,000 reports to poison centers involving all drugs over 20 years. Researchers looked solely at those involving children aged six to 18. They found cases involving marijuana rose the quickest of any substance, replacing alcohol in 2014 and rising fastest between 2017 and 2020 — when weed began to be decriminalized at the federal level – The sharpest surge in marijuana use was between 2017 to 2020, rising by about 40 percent in three years.

Researchers in Oregon looked at 338,000 cases of intentional abuse or misuse
Found marijuana has been leading cause of poisoning for children since 2018
Researchers warned it was linked to legalization making drug more accessible
Marijuana is considered particularly dangerous for young, developing brains and maypermanently change their structure leading to a loss of IQ.

Dr Adrienne Hughes, an emergency medicine expert at Oregon Health and Science University who led the study, said: 'These findings may reflect the impact of rapidly evolving cannabis legalization on this vulnerable population.
'Along with increasing cannabis legalization, we are also seeing the emergence of alternative modes of consumption, especially non-combustible products such as edibles and vaping devices. 'These edible products and vaping products are often marketed in ways that are attractive to youth, can be used with more discretion, and are more convenient. 'A focus group study with teenagers found that edibles were attractive to those concerned about smoking or the smell associated with smoking marijuana.'
(Source: Child marijuana use has soared 250% in last 20 years - replacing alcohol )

See Also, Women in States that Legalize Cannabis are Five times More Likely to Use Cannabis While Pregnant

Details: Published: 11 January 2023; Hits: 1278

by Prabhjot Sohal, University of Western Ontario
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry researchers have shown that chronic exposure during adolescence to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis, may induce long-lasting memory impairments and increased anxiety levels.
The study, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology,NeuropsychopharmacologyThe study, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, uses a rodent model to pinpoint two different parts of the brain—the dorsal and the ventral regions in the hippocampus—and shows evidence of different sets of abnormalities in each region following THC exposure.
The researchers identified several key molecular and neuronal anomalies in specific regions of the hippocampus that might be independently responsible for the cognitive and emotional side effects. The study confirms previous work from their lab that shows THC exposure during adolescence can induce long-lasting disturbances.
"Following the legalization of cannabis, there is evidence of a reduction in perceived risks associated with cannabis use. There is a need to expand knowledge on the potential negative consequences of cannabis exposure during adolescence and this study addresses some of those gaps," said Marta De Felice, who emphasized the need to have crucial scientific evidence to inform public health policy
"Adolescents consuming cannabis may not be thinking of the negative long-term impacts. Our findings suggest adolescent cannabis use may affect cognitive and emotional functions through different brain pathways," said Laviolette. "The detailed anatomical findings of the study give us a chance to use more targeted interventions that might reverse the long-lasting impairments and symptoms following cannabis exposure during adolescence."

For Complete Article