Cannabis and psychosis: an update on course and biological plausible mechanisms.
Don H. Linszen, Therese van Amelsvoort
Current Opinion in Psychiatry March 2007 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0b013e32803577fb (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 is a component cause of approximately 10% of psychosis cases, with plausible neurobiological mechanisms including dopaminergic enhancement and genetic vulnerability. Acute cannabis use impairs memory and increases cerebral blood flow, while long-term use attenuates cerebral blood flow; evidence for lasting cognitive or anatomical brain effects is limited, and studies in people with psychosis are scarce. |
Abstract
Cannabis use is the most commonly abused illicit substance. Its relation with psychosis remains a topic of debate. Epidemiological studies suggest that cannabis is a component cause accounting for approximately 10% of cases. An increasing number of studies have been published on neurobiological effects of cannabis and vulnerability of psychosis. Acute cannabis administration can induce memory impairments, sometimes persisting months following abstinence. There is no evidence that residual effects on cognition remain after years of abstinence. The scarce literature on neuro-imaging mainly done in nonpsychotic populations, show little evidence that cannabis has effects on brain anatomy. Acute effects of cannabis include increases of cerebral blood flow, whereas long-term effects of cannabis include attenuation of cerebral blood flow. In animals Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol enhances dopaminergic neurotransmission in brain regions known to be implicated in psychosis. Studies in humans show that genetic vulnerability may add to increased risk of developing psychosis and cognitive impairments following cannabis consumption. Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol induces psychotic like states and memory impairments in healthy volunteers. Simultaneously with increasing understanding of neurobiological cannabis effects, there is a lack of studies in people with psychosis. There are plausible mechanisms that might explain the psychotogenic effects of cannabis.
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 9
- Cannabis use and cognitive dysfunction Indian Journal of Psychiatry 2011
- The effect of cannabis on the brain: can it cause brain anomalies that lead to increased risk for schizophrenia? Current Opinion in Psychiatry March 1, 2008
- Subjective Effects of Cannabis Before the First Psychotic Episode Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry December 1, 2009
- Cannabis and psychosis: the impact of polydrug use Drugs and Alcohol Today July 20, 2017
- A case of self slitting of throat as a result of cannabis induced psychosis IP International Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicological Sciences January 3, 2020
and 4 more in the library
Cites 10
- Disturbances of visual information processing in early states of psychosis and experimental delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol altered states of consciousness. Schizophrenia Research December 1, 2006
- Altered regional blood volume in chronic cannabis smokers. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology November 2006
- Psychophysiological evidence of altered neural synchronization in cannabis use: relationship to schizotypy. American Journal of Psychiatry October 2006
- Marijuana use is associated with a reorganized visual-attention network and cerebellar hypoactivation. Brain May 2006
- Neuroimaging of marijuana smokers during inhibitory processing: a pilot investigation. Brain research. Cognitive brain research April 2005
and 5 more in the library