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July 6, 2019 6:15 am
Researchers at Western University have discovered why marijuana use can have drastically different effects on different people.
In a study released Friday, Western researchers have indicated that by examining the effects of THC on a rat's brain, they revealed that the major psychoactive compound of marijuana can produce very rewarding effects in a region of the brain called the nucleus accumbens.
"Until now, it was unclear what regions of the brain were responsible for these highly divergent effects of marijuana," said Steven Laviolette, principal investigator of the study and professor at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. from Western.
In contrast, the effect of THC on the posterior part of the same region of the brain can have very detrimental effects, including an increase in symptoms related to schizophrenia. These symptoms include paranoia, cognitive problems or an increased risk of developing schizophrenia.
"These findings are important because they suggest why some people have a very positive experience with marijuana while others have a very negative experience," said Christopher Norris, a postdoctoral researcher. "Our data indicate that, 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."
The researchers also found that the effects of THC on the nucleus accumbens can greatly increase the addictive properties of opioid drugs such as morphine. In addition, the results suggest that the nucleus accumbens is more sensitive to THC and could be a key indicator that marijuana users experience positive or negative side effects of the drug.
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