Canadian study explains why cannabis makes some people paranoid



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When asked why they do not like cannabis, people usually have two reasons to avoid it: it makes them sleepy or paranoid.

Although it is known that the same strain can affect consumers in completely different ways, researchers are still trying to determine why the reactions vary from one person to another.

It turns out that there may be a genetic factor underlying the negative effects of cannabis, such as paranoia and cannabis-induced psychosis. A study published July 5 this year by researchers at the University of Western Ontario revealed a relationship between THC and nucleus accumbens in the brain, responsible for reward behavior and treatment of aversion.

If the THC is treated in front of the nucleus accumbens, then the user may have a positive experience and feelings of euphoria. However, if THC binds to the receptors in front of the nucleus accumbens, it is likely that the user will experience undesirable symptoms such as paranoia.

The kicker is that the fact that THC attaches to the frontal or anterior nucleus accumbens is not caused by mood or personality type, but rather by a genetic predisposition.

For some people, #cannabis causes a high reward. For others, this can cause psychiatric side effects. Researchers at @WesternU have studied the effect of THC on the brain of a rat to show that how marijuana affects us can affect the area of ​​the brain on which it acts. https://t.co/Cp7yesQwRI

– Schulich WesternU (@SchulichMedDent) July 9, 2019

"These results are important because they explain why some people have a very positive experience with marijuana while others have a very negative experience," said Christopher Norris, doctoral candidate at Western University, in a statement. "Because reward and aversion are produced by anatomically distinct areas, the different effects between individuals are likely due to genetic variation leading to differential sensitivity of each area."

Preliminary results will open the door to further research and discovery on the factors that contribute to paranoia, or even cannabis-induced psychosis, among cannabis users.

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