Cannabis and psychiatric disorders: it is not only addiction.
F Markus Leweke, Dagmar Koethe
Addiction Biology June 2008 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2008.00106.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction Cannabis |
| Key findings | The review reports that frequent cannabis use doubles the risk for psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia, and that cannabis can induce manic symptoms in bipolar disorder. It suggests that cannabinoid compounds, including the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597, may offer a new class of medication, though data on major depression remain controversial and further research is needed. |
Abstract
Since the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, a growing body of psychiatric research has emerged focusing on the role of this system in major psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BD), major depression and anxiety disorder. Continuing in the line of earlier epidemiological studies, recent replication studies indicate that frequent cannabis use doubles the risk for psychotic symptoms and SCZ. Further points of clinical research interest are alterations of endocannabinoids and their relation to symptoms as well as postmortem analyses of cannabinoid CB(1) receptor densities in SCZ. A possible neurobiological mechanism for the deleterious influence of cannabis use in SCZ has been suggested, involving the disruption of endogenous cannabinoid signaling and functioning. Even though the number of studies is still limited for affective and anxiety disorders, previous results suggest these diseases to be exciting objectives of cannabinoid-associated research. Therefore, it became apparent that cannabis use is not only frequent in patients suffering from BD, but that it also induces manic symptoms in this group. In addition, prior antipsychotic treatment decreased the numerical density of CB(1) immunoreactive glial cells in bipolar patients. Although the data on the influence of cannabis use on the development of major depression is controversial, cannabinoid compounds could display a new class of medication, as suggested by the antidepressive effects of the fatty acid amino hydrolase inhibitor URB597 in animal models. With numerous open questions and controversial results, further research is required to specify and extend the findings in this area, which provides a promising target for novel pharmacotherapeutic interventions.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The neuropsychopharmacology of cannabis: A review of human imaging studies | 2018 | Review | |
| Substance-Induced Psychoses: An Updated Literature Review General (substance-induced psychosis) | 2021 | Narrative review | |
| New psychoactive substances of natural origin: A brief review | 2017 | Review | |
| New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) – a Challenge for the Addiction Treatment Services | 2017 | Review | |
| Classic Psychedelics in Addiction Treatment: The Case for Psilocybin in Tobacco Smoking Cessation | 2022 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 20
- Endocannabinoid system and psychiatry: in search of a neurobiological basis for detrimental and potential therapeutic effects Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2011
- Psychosis reactivity to cannabis use in daily life: an experience sampling study The British Journal of Psychiatry May 31, 2010
- Performance of schizophrenic patients in the Stroop Color Word Test and electrodermal responsiveness after acute administration of cannabidiol (CBD) Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry March 1, 2010
- Mitigation of post‐traumatic stress symptoms by Cannabis resin: A review of the clinical and neurobiological evidence Drug Testing and Analysis June 26, 2012
- Psychotic experiences are linked to cannabis use in adolescents in the community because of common underlying environmental risk factors Psychiatry Research April 15, 2015
and 15 more in the library
Cites 14
- Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence The British Journal of Psychiatry January 30, 2004
- Antidepressant-like activity and modulation of brain monoaminergic transmission by blockade of anandamide hydrolysis Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences December 13, 2005
- Anandamide levels in cerebrospinal fluid of first-episode schizophrenic patients: impact of cannabis use. Schizophrenia Research August 2007
- Disturbances of visual information processing in early states of psychosis and experimental delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol altered states of consciousness. Schizophrenia Research December 1, 2006
- Cannabinoids in bipolar affective disorder: a review and discussion of their therapeutic potential. Journal of Psychopharmacology May 2005
and 9 more in the library