Cannabis, psychosis and the thalamus: a theoretical review.
Zoran Vukadinovic, Merrill S Herman, Ivana Rosenzweig
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews May 1, 2013 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.02.013 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key points | Argues that cannabis may increase schizophrenia risk by disrupting T-type calcium channels in the thalamus, impairing corticothalamic interactions and leading to psychosis. |
Abstract
The role of cannabis in the etiology of schizophrenia has been documented as possibly the strongest environmental risk factor. However, the pathomechanism whereby cannabis use increases this risk has not yet been identified. We argue that this pathomechanism may involve direct effects of exogenous cannabinoids on T-type calcium channels in the thalamus. These channels are crucial for amplification of corticothalamic inputs, as well as for the ability of the thalamus to generate neuronal burst firing. Cortically induced thalamic burst firing has been found to be important in trans-thalamic cortico-cortical interactions. Therefore, any potential interference with the burst firing mode in the thalamus could lead to an impairment in these interactions, which in turn causes a relative disconnection between cortical areas. This in turn could result in reduced ability to recognize re-afferent sensory inputs and psychosis. We also argue that the effects of Δ(9)THC are more detrimental compared with the effects of cannabidiol, as the former may increase the excitability of thalamic neurons by its direct effect on T-type calcium channels.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta-8, Delta-10, HHC, THC-O, THCP, and THCV: What Should We Call These Products? | 2023 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Model Psychoses Induced by LSD-25 in Normals | 1956 | Historical analysis | |
| Is there a specific ‘cannabis psychosis’? | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Peak-experience and the entheogenic use of cannabis in world religions | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Out of Harm's Way?: Illicit Drug Use, Medicalization and the Law | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Subcortical Local Functional Hyperconnectivity in Cannabis Dependence Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging November 23, 2017
- Multimodal MRI data fusion reveals distinct structural, functional and neurochemical correlates of heavy cannabis use Addiction Biology November 22, 2021
- A regulatory variant of CHRM3 is associated with cannabis-induced hallucinations in European Americans Translational Psychiatry November 18, 2019
- Resistance to depth inversion illusions: A biosignature of psychosis with potential utility for monitoring positive symptom emergence and remission in schizophrenia Biomarkers in Neuropsychiatry March 26, 2022
- Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Alters Limbic and Frontal Functional Brain Connectomes Among Young Adult Cannabis Users. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging May 1, 2026
and 1 more in the library
Cites 10
- Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence The British Journal of Psychiatry January 30, 2004
- High-potency cannabis and the risk of psychosis The British Journal of Psychiatry November 30, 2009
- Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research April 1, 2006
- Corollary Discharge, Hallucinations, and Dreaming Schizophrenia Bulletin October 7, 2010
- Impact of cannabis use on thalamic volume in people at familial high risk of schizophrenia The British Journal of Psychiatry September 9, 2011
and 5 more in the library