A recent study has uncovered the negative effects of cannabis and its impact on the brain.
While marijuana use has long been a controversial issue in the United States, it has gained more social acceptance, with 24 states legalizing recreational use.
Although many view it as a relatively harmless substance, especially with 39 states permitting medicinal cannabis use, its potential negative consequences are often overlooked.
A study released in November of last year emphasized how cannabis can affect the brain, ultimately leading to a reduction in brain connectivity.
Researchers at McGill University discovered that young adults at risk of psychosis experience decreased brain connectivity, a condition that worsens with cannabis use.
A new study has revealed the negative impact weed can have on the brain(Getty Stock Image)
The researchers discovered a significant reduction in synaptic density—the connections between neurons that facilitate brain communication—in individuals prone to psychosis, compared to a healthy control group.
To reach this conclusion, they conducted a groundbreaking study using advanced brain imaging technology to examine 49 participants aged 16 to 30, including those experiencing recent psychotic symptoms and others deemed at high risk.
The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, revealed that reduced synaptic density is associated with social withdrawal and diminished motivation, symptoms the researchers note are challenging to address.
Dr. Romina Mizrahi, the study’s senior author and a professor in McGill’s Department of Psychiatry, stated: “Not every cannabis user will develop psychosis, but for some, the risk is significant. Our findings shed light on why this happens.
Cannabis seems to interfere with the brain’s natural ability to refine and prune synapses, a process critical for healthy brain development.”
According to researchers cannabis appears to disrupts the brain’s natural process of refining and pruning synapses(Getty Stock Image)
Lead author Belen Blasco, a PhD candidate in McGill’s Integrated Program in Neuroscience, highlighted the significance of this study for the scientific community and its potential to shape future treatments.
When discussing psychosis treatment, Blasco noted: “Existing medications primarily focus on alleviating hallucinations but often fail to tackle symptoms that hinder social interactions, employment, or education. By concentrating on synaptic density, we might pave the way for therapies that improve social functioning and overall quality of life for individuals living with psychosis.”
Although cannabis is a recognized risk factor for psychosis, which can escalate to schizophrenia, this study marks the first instance where researchers have tracked structural brain changes in a high-risk group in real time, as stated in the study’s press release.
The release also mentioned that the team’s next steps involve investigating whether these brain alterations could serve as predictors for psychosis onset, potentially allowing for earlier and more effective interventions.
