Effects of Cannabis on Glutamatergic Neurotransmission: The Interplay between Cannabinoids and Glutamate.
Kawsar U Chowdhury, Madison Elizabeth Holden, Miles T Wiley, Vishnu Suppiramaniam, Miranda N Reed
Cells June 29, 2024 DOI: 10.3390/cells13131130 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Ltp Cannabinoid Glutamate Memory Synapse |
| Key findings | Reviews evidence that acute cannabis exposure inhibits glutamate release, whereas chronic use tends to increase glutamate release, with complex postsynaptic alterations affecting memory. |
Abstract
There has been a significant increase in the consumption of cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes in recent years, and its use can have long-term consequences on cognitive functions, including memory. Here, we review the immediate and long-term effects of cannabis and its derivatives on glutamatergic neurotransmission, with a focus on both the presynaptic and postsynaptic alterations. Several factors can influence cannabinoid-mediated changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission, including dosage, sex, age, and frequency of use. Acute exposure to cannabis typically inhibits glutamate release, whereas chronic use tends to increase glutamate release. Conversely, the postsynaptic alterations are more complicated than the presynaptic effects, as cannabis can affect the glutamate receptor expression and the downstream signaling of glutamate. All these effects ultimately influence cognitive functions, particularly memory. This review will cover the current research on glutamate-cannabis interactions, as well as the future directions of research needed to understand cannabis-related health effects and neurological and psychological aspects of cannabis use.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence | 2004 | Review | |
| Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. General (historical and pharmacological review) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychiatric effects of cannabis | 2001 | Review | |
| Beyond THC: The New Generation of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs | 2011 | Review | |
| Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug | 2006 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Cannabis use and glutamate across the psychosis spectrum: in vivo evidence from 7T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy Molecular Psychiatry June 27, 2026
- Prenatal cannabinoid exposure alters excitation-inhibition balance through glutamate and GABA receptor-mediated signaling. Journal of Biological Chemistry July 2026
- Network topology and cannabis use following two weeks of monitored abstinence: moderation of sex and patterns of use findings. Frontiers in adolescent medicine 2025
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and 6 more in the library