A groundbreaking study from McGill University has provided new insights into how cannabis use can trigger psychosis in young adults already at risk. Published in JAMA Psychiatry, the research highlights how cannabis worsens a decrease in synaptic density—nerve cell connections in the brain—among individuals vulnerable to psychosis, significantly impacting brain connectivity.
Using advanced brain imaging technology, researchers studied 50 participants aged 16 to 30, including individuals with recent psychotic symptoms and those considered high-risk. The findings reveal that synaptic density reductions are not only present during the early stages of psychosis but are also exacerbated by cannabis use. This disruption affects the brain’s natural process of refining and pruning synapses, crucial for healthy development.
“Cannabis appears to interfere with this essential process, which might explain why some users are at such high risk of psychosis,” said Dr Romina Mizrahi, a co-author of the study. While not every cannabis user develops psychosis, researchers stress that for some individuals, the risks are significant.
The study also drew attention to the association between lower synaptic density and negative symptoms like social withdrawal and lack of motivation, which are notoriously difficult to treat. Current psychosis medications tend to address hallucinations but fall short in targeting these more subtle and socially debilitating symptoms.
“These findings could pave the way for new treatments aimed at improving social functioning and quality of life for those affected,” said Belen Blasco, the study’s lead author. Future research will explore whether these brain-level changes can help predict psychosis onset and lead to earlier intervention strategies.
This research helps explain how cannabis use can lead to psychosis, showing why it’s so important to look into its long-term effects on young people.
Source: Independent
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