Exposure to cannabinoids can lead to persistent cognitive and psychiatric disorders
European Journal of Pain February 22, 2019 Marie‐Odile Krebs, Oussama Kébir, Thérèse M. Jay 56 citations
Cannabis use is consistently linked to persistent cognitive deficits and an elevated risk of schizophrenia-like psychoses, with the degree of risk influenced by dose, duration, age of first use, and genetic factors, including a partially shared genetic predisposition with schizophrenia. In healthy humans, THC produces transient, dose-dependent psychotic symptoms and cognitive effects that can be reduced by cannabidiol. Rodent studies confirm these findings and show that adolescent exposure leads to structural brain changes and impaired synaptic plasticity in fronto-limbic systems. Over-activation of the endocannabinoid system during adolescence may alter brain maturation, causing long-lasting changes. The assessment of medical cannabis must consider populations at higher risk for psychiatric and cognitive complications.