New Study Shows Cannabis Can Trigger Psychosis by Decreasing Nerve Cell Connections in the Brain

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A new study from McGill University has found that cannabis use may worsen the decline in nerve connectivity among young adults already at risk of psychosis.

Key Facts:

– Researchers at McGill University published their findings in JAMA Psychiatry.
– The study focused on about 50 participants aged 16 to 30, some with recent psychotic symptoms or high risk of psychosis.
– Results showed decreased synaptic density among at-risk individuals, and cannabis use intensified this drop.
– Negative symptoms, such as social withdrawal, were linked to lower synaptic density.
– Current medications often miss these hard-to-treat symptoms.

The Rest of The Story:

The research team discovered that participants with potential psychosis risk displayed a decrease in brain connectivity called synaptic density.

Cannabis use appeared to make this decrease more pronounced.

Negative symptoms, including lack of motivation and social withdrawal, were tied to these reduced connections, which can be harder to treat.

Even though existing therapies address hallucinations in psychosis, experts say they often fall short when dealing with social and motivational difficulties.

Future studies hope to determine whether these brain changes can help predict who will go on to develop full-blown psychosis, potentially leading to earlier interventions.

Commentary:

This study suggests that more work is needed to confirm how cannabis interacts with the developing brain in at-risk youth.

Researchers should share their findings widely so young people, clinicians, and policymakers are fully informed about potential risks.

At the same time, the choice to use cannabis should remain an individual decision.

Educating the public on these study results will help people consider the possible consequences before making that choice.

The Bottom Line:

Cannabis may amplify nerve connectivity issues in young people who already face psychosis risk.

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More research could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for those most vulnerable.