Mirella Ruggeri

2 papers in the library · 50 citations · publishing 2020

Papers

Unraveling the Intoxicating and Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis Ingredients on Psychosis and Cognition

Frontiers in Psychology May 14, 2020 Marco Colizzi, Mirella Ruggeri, Sagnik Bhattacharyya 50 citations

Evidence suggests a dose-response relationship between cannabis use and psychosis risk, driven by frequent use and high-potency cannabis with high delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) concentration. Δ9-THC induces transient psychosis-like symptoms in healthy individuals, while low-potency varieties may be less harmful due to lower Δ9-THC and the presence of cannabidiol (CBD), which may mitigate Δ9-THC's detrimental effects. CBD may have protective and therapeutic properties for psychosis. Similar patterns emerge for cognition: Δ9-THC impairs cognition, while CBD prevents such effects and enhances cognition alone. Molecular evidence shows Δ9-THC acts as a partial agonist and CBD as an inverse agonist/antagonist at cannabinoid receptors, with opposite effects on brain function, explaining intoxicating and therapeutic effects.

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00833 Cannabidiol Psychotomimetic Psychosis Hallucinogen +13

Cannabis and Cognition: Connecting the Dots towards the Understanding of the Relationship

Brain Sciences February 27, 2020 Marco Colizzi, Sarah Tosato, Mirella Ruggeri

Earlier age of starting cannabis, high-frequency and high-potency use, sustained use over time, and use of synthetic cannabinoids are all correlated with a higher likelihood of developing potentially severe and persistent executive function impairments. MRI studies show both structural and functional brain alterations associated with cannabis use. Cognitive dysfunction is also a core feature of many neuropsychiatric disorders, and cannabis use in these populations requires caution. Cognitive impairments affect daily function, sociability, and long-term outcomes, increasing economic, social, and clinical burdens. The authors advocate for behavioral and cognitive rehabilitation therapies and for investigating the endocannabinoid system to develop new psychopharmacological treatments.

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10030133