Cannabis, cannabinoids, and health
Geneviève Lafaye, Laurent Karila, Lisa Blecha, Amine Benyamina
Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience September 1, 2017 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2017.19.3/glafaye (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | The authors argue that cannabis use carries harmful psychiatric and addictive effects, with complications increasing due to higher-potency cannabis and a rising Δ9-THC-to-cannabidiol ratio, and that synthetic cannabinoids are dangerous despite similar psychoactive effects. They also contend that therapeutic properties apply only to certain cannabinoids and their synthetic derivatives, and call for further research on medical cannabis's benefit-risk profile. |
Abstract
Cannabis (also known as marijuana) is the most frequently used illicit psychoactive substance in the world. Though it was long considered to be a “soft” drug, studies have proven the harmful psychiatric and addictive effects associated with its use. A number of elements are responsible for the increased complications of cannabis use, including the increase in the potency of cannabis and an evolution in the ratio between the two primary components, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (toward a higher proportion of Δ9-THC), Synthetic cannabinoid (SC) use has rapidly progressed over the last few years, primarily among frequent cannabis users, because SCs provide similar psychoactive effects to cannabis. However, their composition and pharmacological properties make them dangerous substances. Cannabis does have therapeutic properties for certain indications. These therapeutic applications pertain only to certain cannabinoids and their synthetic derivatives. The objective of this article is to summarize current developments concerning cannabis and the spread of SCs. Future studies must further explore the benefit-risk profile of medical 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 13
- Cannabis, a cause for anxiety? A critical appraisal of the anxiogenic and anxiolytic properties Journal of Translational Medicine October 2, 2020
- Infant Death due to Cannabis Ingestion. Drug Testing and Analysis May 21, 2025
- Identifying EEG markers related to acute cannabis consumption: A systematic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews May 1, 2025
- Cannabis Use and Psychosis – Modern Views on the Problem. Narrative Synthesis Medicina 2021
- Cannabis sativa – A matter of physical, mental, and social health Eastern Journal of Medical Sciences December 20, 2022
and 8 more in the library
Cites 10
- Cannabidiol inhibits THC-elicited paranoid symptoms and hippocampal-dependent memory impairment Journal of Psychopharmacology October 5, 2012
- Traditional marijuana, high‐potency cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids: increasing risk for psychosis World Psychiatry September 22, 2016
- Neuropharmacology of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): Focus on the Rewarding and Reinforcing Properties of Cannabimimetics and Amphetamine-Like Stimulants Frontiers in Neuroscience April 19, 2016
- Cannabidiol in medical marijuana: Research vistas and potential opportunities. Pharmacological Research July 2017
- Clinical Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists Compared with Marijuana in Emergency Department Patients with Acute Drug Overdose. Journal of Medical Toxicology December 2016
and 5 more in the library