Research has long sought to understand how cannabis use disorders (CUD) contribute to psychosis-like symptoms, and new findings offer a breakthrough. A study published by McGill University has identified that people with CUD have elevated dopamine levels in brain regions associated with psychosis, such as schizophrenia.
The study used neuromelanin-MRI scans to measure dopamine activity in individuals with and without CUD. The results showed that those with CUD had significantly higher dopamine signals in the brain’s reward and motivation centers. The severity of cannabis use correlated with the level of elevated dopamine.
These findings have significant implications for educating youth and high-risk groups about the mental health impacts of chronic cannabis use. One in five Canadian youth use cannabis frequently, making it essential to address this issue.
The study’s lead author, Jessica Ahrens, notes that the increased dopamine activity may help explain why frequent cannabis use increases the risk of hallucinations and delusions. The research team hopes that their findings will inform strategies for prevention and treatment.
To further investigate, future studies will explore whether long-term cannabis use leads to lasting dopamine changes and whether these effects reverse after quitting.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/cud-dopamine-psychosis-28582