Marijuana May Cause Schizophrenia, Study Finds

A recent study by the CSIC, in Spain, in collaboration with the Cajal Institute, has found evidence on how cannabinoids regulate the activation of certain nerve regions in the brain.

Similarly, disorganized consumption of cannabis can deactivate a mechanism more intensely than necessary, causing some mental disorders, such as psychosis wave schizophrenia.

Marijuana and schizophrenia: new evidence of their relationship, according to a new CSIC study

If certain alterations in the functioning of neurotransmitters (such as dopamine or glutamate) occur in certain brain regions, give rise to the manifestation of different pathological behaviors such as schizophrenia. There are several genetic factors that increase the vulnerability of some individuals to this pathology. However, environmental factors and harmful habits such as the use of marijuana or other substances can trigger an acceleration of symptoms, or increase their intensity.

An investigation into possible genetic and epigenetic characteristics found that the alteration of the nervous system would not be the main risk factor in the appearance of schizophrenia, but

the cause would be a poor function of the NMDAr receptor, responsible for neuronal plasticity and memory. For this reason, lacking enough glutamate to counteract the effects of the drug, the dopamine increases its effect, resulting in a greater predisposition to psychosis and schizophrenia.

The role of cannabis in schizophrenia

Primarily, the cannabionoid system of our neuronal chemistry is positive, because it regulates the binding of glutamate with its NMDAr receptor and allows certain neurological processes such as learning or memory. Cannabinoids deactivate this receptor, thus maintaining physiological stability throughout the neuronal system.

However, the system is weak and stability is easily compromised. The exogenous cannabinoids, that is, those produced by the use and abuse of marijuana, significantly increases the inhibition of the NMDAr receptor of the glutamate neurotransmitter, allowing a much more effect, exacerbating the effect of dopamine, and can cause psychosis.

The brain, in this situation, tries to prevent this effect from occurring, and some mechanisms for releasing the NMDAr receptor are enabled.But this reaction can turn off the neural system, causing a vulnerability that could trigger schizophrenia.

The experts speak

Javier Garzón Child, one of the researchers, explains:

“The abuse in the consumption of marijuana produces an imbalance between excitement (NMDAr) and inhibition (own or endogenous cannabinoids). This ends up breaking the balance in favor of inhibition, and consequently generates greater activity in systems negatively regulated by NMDAr, such as the dopaminergic system "

Several scientists from the CSIC pointed out that the abuse in the inhaled consumption of marijuana can produce transient psychosis. But in the event that the bad habit is not eliminated, deterioration of the central nervous system could be permanent. If we add a genetic predisposition to these bad habits, the chances of developing schizophrenia increase.