New Study Links Excessive Cannabis Use to Brain Changes and Psychosis Risk
Advanced imaging reveals dose-dependent dopamine disruptions in cannabis users, offering the clearest biological evidence yet of a connection to psychosis.
- Researchers used neuromelanin-sensitive MRI to identify dose-dependent increases in neuromelanin in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental areas of cannabis users' brains.
- The study found elevated dopamine activity in all participants with cannabis use disorder, even those without a history of psychotic episodes.
- These findings suggest a direct biological pathway linking chronic cannabis use to psychosis through disrupted dopamine regulation.
- Published in JAMA Psychiatry, the research highlights how cannabis use may accelerate brain aging and increase risks of hallucinations and delusions.
- Experts emphasize the importance of educating the public, particularly young people, about the mental health risks associated with frequent cannabis use.
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