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Published 17 October 2017
THC restricts synaptic recovery
In their experiments, the researchers injected THC into the young mice, focusing on its effect on the GABA cells in the VTA. The team noted that just one THC injection did not have a significant impact on the functioning of GABA cells. But administering multiple injections — one injection of THC per day for 7 to 10 consecutive days — blocked a function called "synaptic recovery" in the GABA cells of the mice's brains.
Dr. Edwards explained to MNT that "all psychoactive substances that alter synaptic plasticity [...] of VTA dopamine cells, even once the drug is out of the system, are addictive, while non-addictive psychoactive substances do not alter plasticity. Therefore, we attempted chronic THC injections and noted that synaptic plasticity (long-term depression) was occluded."
The cumulative effect of repeated THC absorption in the brains of the young mice was to impact how GABA nerve cells normally function, leading to a dysregulation of dopamine levels.
Since dopamine "motivates" us to keep engaging in certain behaviors — such as eating or sexual intercourse — by rendering them pleasurable, if this neurotransmitter is not properly regulated, it could lead to addiction.
'Negative impact of THC on adolescents'
This could explain why marijuana use disorder is so common among consumers in the U.S., where almost 6 million people experienced it in 2016 alone, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Dr. Edwards explained that he saw clinical potential in the study's findings, and he said that his team's reasearch could offer new insight into mechanisms of addiction and withdrawal.
"It is important to note," he explained, "that these studies were carried out in juvenile/adolescent aged mice. This is important as adolescent humans have worse THC-induced outcomes compared to adults."
"[A]dolescents who use THC have decreased IQ, decreased cognition, and increased change of further drug abuse with other drugs," he said
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Survey shows marijuana use disorder linked to substance use/mental disorders and disability.
Marijuana use disorder is common in the United States, is often associated with other substance use disorders, behavioral problems, and disability, and goes largely untreated, according to a new study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health. The analysis found that 2.5 percent of adults — nearly 6 million people — experienced marijuana use disorder in the past year, while 6.3 percent had met the diagnostic criteria for the disorder at some point in their lives. A report of the study, led by Bridget Grant, Ph.D., of the NIAAA Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, appears online today in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
“...Marijuana use can lead to harmful consequences for individuals and society.”
—George F. Koob, Ph.D., Director, NIAAA
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A new study on cannabis has found that users with mental illness present an increased risk of violent behaviour.
The research conducted by the Institut en Santé Mentale de Montréal (Montreal Institute of Menal Health), studied 1,136 patients – from 18 to 40 years of age – with mental illnesses who had been seen five times during the year after discharge.
And while previous research has already shown a link between cannabis and aggressive behaviour, this new study found that users who continued to smoke at each follow-up appointment increased their risk of violence by 144 per cent.
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None of WA’s 10,679 doctors have applied to prescribe medical cannabis since it was legalized in November.
According to the AMA WA, the lack of interest is because doctors do not believe there is evidence to prescribe medical cannabis for anything other than in paediatric epilepsy and MS.
https://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/latest-news/wa-doctors-shun-medical-cannabis
AMA cautious about medicinal cannabis
But the Australian Medical Association of WA said it remained cautious about the use of medicinal cannabis.
AMA WA president Omar Khorshid said it was important rules around the use of medicinal cannabis remained strict, as its efficacy was still being tested.
"The AMA is certainly not supportive of shortcuts, and instead of avoiding all the regulatory steps, we should be investigating cannabis-based products, how good they are, how safe they are, and once that's been done, they should available just like any other drug," he said.
"The AMA is calling for more research on cannabis-based drugs so that we know what's in them, how well they work, and how safe they are, and once that's done, we'll be able to prescribe to prescribe better drugs for patients to manage these conditions."
Ms Neville said there was international research to show cannabinoid-based products were safe and efficient.
The Department of Health said an application was yet to be received from Ms Neville's doctor, and the department had contacted this doctor to provide information and regulatory assistance.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-07/families-struggling-to-access-to-medicinal-cannabis/8685712
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Published 14 September 2017 By Catharine Paddock PhD
Canadian researchers have found that they might be able to reverse the schizophrenia-like symptoms associated with prolonged teenage marijuana use. Scientists have identified a mechanism in the brain that seems to explain how long-term marijuana use in the teenage years might lead to schizophrenia and other similar psychiatric diseases in adulthood.