Current Addiction Reports
February 27, 2026
Amanda C. Lee, Jibran Y. Khokhar
Cannabis use is linked to schizophrenia, especially in vulnerable people. Preclinical rodent models help clarify this relationship by allowing controlled experiments that are impossible in humans. Recent studies use advanced paradigms, including translationally-relevant rodent models and ecologically valid cannabis administration routes, to simulate human use patterns and vulnerability. These models show that cannabinoid exposure can alter schizophrenia-like behaviors and neural effects related to hyperlocomotion, sensorimotor gating deficits, social withdrawal, and anhedonia. The route of administration, dose, and type of cannabinoid shape these outcomes. Such findings identify periods of heightened vulnerability and inform prevention and intervention strategies.
ACS chemical neuroscience
February 18, 2026
Tallan Black, Rhiannon E Boseley, Amanda Quirk et al.
Prenatal exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main intoxicating compound in cannabis, alters brain chemistry in offspring. Using X-ray fluorescence imaging and Fourier transform infrared spectromicroscopy on rat brains, the study found that THC-exposed offspring had decreased copper concentrations in the corpus callosum and changes in lipid structure, including increased methylene, lipid esters, phosphate, protein, and unsaturation levels, particularly in the hippocampus. Biochemical changes were modest, with increased structural lipid changes in the corpus callosum and increased protein in the lateral ventricle. These findings demonstrate that gestational THC induces subtle but measurable biomolecular alterations in the developing brain.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
February 17, 2026
Carla J. Berg, Cassidy R. Loparco, Darcey M. Mccready et al.
1 citation
Among 3,227 US adults aged 18–34 surveyed in 2025, past-6-month cannabis use was reported by 40.5% and past-year psychedelic use by 11.9%. Psychedelics had less legalization support, less promotional and risk-message exposure, and lower social acceptability than cannabis, while being perceived as more addictive and harmful. Factors linked to both cannabis and psychedelic use included lower perceived addictiveness and harm, higher social acceptability, more adverse childhood experiences, more promotional and risk-message exposure, and higher scores on a mental health questionnaire. Greater legalization support for both substances was associated with lower perceived addictiveness and harm, higher social acceptability, and more promotional-message exposure. Message exposure may be especially important in shaping psychedelic use and legalization support.