Cannabis Use and Neuroadaptation: A Call for Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Challenge Studies
Johannes G. Ramaekers, Eef L. Theunissen, Peter van Ruitenbeek, Natasha L. Mason
Frontiers in Psychiatry April 14, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.870750 via OpenAlex
Summary
Comparing brain function between chronic cannabis users and non-users may be confounded by factors like polydrug use, alcohol, withdrawal, or lifestyle. A proposed methodology uses acute Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dosing studies to directly assess neuroadaptations in chronic users. This approach quantifies neurochemical, receptor, and functional brain network changes in response to an acute cannabis challenge and stratifies users from occasional to dependent. It enables evaluation of THC-induced neuroadaptive and neurocognitive changes across cannabis use history, informing neurobiological models of reward-driven, compulsive cannabis use.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Effects of cannabis Neurocognitive Psychiatry Psychology Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key finding | Acute THC dosing studies can directly assess neuroadaptations in chronic cannabis users, overcoming confounding factors in cross-sectional comparisons. |
Abstract
Currently, the assessment of the neurobehavioral consequences of repeated cannabis use is restricted to studies in which brain function of chronic cannabis users is compared to that of non-cannabis using controls. The assumption of such studies is that changes in brain function of chronic users are caused by repeated and prolonged exposure to acute cannabis intoxication. However, differences in brain function between chronic cannabis users and non-users might also arise from confounding factors such as polydrug use, alcohol use, withdrawal, economic status, or lifestyle conditions. We propose a methodology that highlights the relevance of acute Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dosing studies for a direct assessment of neuroadaptations in chronic cannabis users. The approach includes quantification of neurochemical, receptor, and functional brain network changes in response to an acute cannabis challenge, as well as stratification of cannabis using groups ranging from occasional to cannabis-dependent individuals. The methodology allows for an evaluation of THC induced neuroadaptive and neurocognitive changes across cannabis use history, that can inform neurobiological models on reward driven, compulsive cannabis use.