Cannabis use and psychiatric disorders are genetically determined

by Team Inc.

cannabis use plant

A new study from the University of Oslo, published in the Lancet Psychiatry, reported a shared genetic basis for cannabis use and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

These findings may indicate that a subgroup of the population is at high risk for both cannabis use and psychiatric disorders, based on their genetic predisposition.

Genetic factors for cannabis use

There has been much debate about the relationship between cannabis use and psychiatric disorders. Cannabis is a psychoactive drug that sometimes causes psychotic symptoms. In addition, cannabis use is high among patients with conditions associated with psychosis, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Genetic factors play an important role in determining a person's susceptibility to developing psychiatric disorders or the likelihood of using cannabis. Some of the genetic variants associated with cannabis use are also linked to psychiatric disorders. This recent study, led by Drs. Weiqiu Cheng and Nadine Parker provide evidence that shared genetic factors underlie this relationship.

Using advanced statistical models, the study shows that most shared variants increase the risk of both cannabis use and developing schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Still, there are some genetic variants with opposing effects, which increase the risk of cannabis use and decrease the risk of the two psychiatric disorders, suggesting a complex relationship.

"These findings are important because they show that the complex links between cannabis use and these conditions may not only be caused by cannabis use itself, but may also be caused by shared genetic susceptibility," said researcher Nadine Parker.

specified treatment

Cannabis is used medicinally in some parts of the world for pain relief and as an antidepressant. Also, one component of cannabis is considered a potential treatment for psychosis. “Shared genetic variants with opposing effects may indicate the presence of biological mechanisms that could support the beneficial effects of cannabis,” the researchers point out.

These new findings have several important clinical implications. First, this information can lead to personalized care, including preventive measures. For example, reducing cannabis use in individuals with a high genetic risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Second, future studies exploring the biological effects of the shared genetic variants may help develop more targeted treatment efforts. Finally, the improved knowledge about genetic overlap can be used to help stratify patients for more specialized treatment plans.

Source: News-Derical.net (EN)

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