GABA neurons may represent a promising new target for treatment of cannabis use disorder as it changes after chronic exposure to the chemical in marijuana.
Marijuana - Types, Uses & Adverse effects
Marijuana (cannabis) is a drug obtained from the hemp plant and often abused for its psychoactive effects, though it has medicinal uses as well.
Marijuana (cannabis) is a drug obtained from the hemp plant and often abused for its psychoactive effects, though it has medicinal uses as well.
‘Tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical in marijuana responsible for its effects on cognition and behavior affects the ventral tegmental area of the brain, which is rich in dopamine neurons.’
Drugs of abuse impact the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain, which is rich in dopamine neurons. Using juvenile and adolescent mice, Jeffrey Edwards and colleagues investigated the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical in marijuana responsible for its effects on cognition and behavior, on VTA GABA cells, an understudied inhibitory cell type in the reward system that regulates dopamine levels. The authors found that a week of daily THC injections, but not a single injection, blocked the recovery of synapses onto VTA GABA cells in the mice.
This finding suggests that persistent THC may alter the inhibitory function of these cells, increasing dopamine levels and the rewarding features of marijuana. These GABA neurons may represent a promising new target for treatment of cannabis use disorder, a common condition on the rise in the United States.
Cannabis
Cannabis has a long history of medicinal, recreational, and industrial use and comes from a bushy plant with thick sticky flowers called Cannabis Sativa
Cannabis has a long history of medicinal, recreational, and industrial use and comes from a bushy plant with thick sticky flowers called Cannabis Sativa
Marijuana Increases Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder
The use of marijuana increases the risk for alcohol use disorder though initiation of drinking is due to peer and maternal influence.
The use of marijuana increases the risk for alcohol use disorder though initiation of drinking is due to peer and maternal influence.
Marijuana Extract May Help Treat Severe Epilepsy
Cannabidiol oil extracted from marijuana was associated with an improvement in mood, an effect independent of the extent of seizure reduction.
Cannabidiol oil extracted from marijuana was associated with an improvement in mood, an effect independent of the extent of seizure reduction.
