In recent years, cannabis has become an increasingly popular treatment and relaxation, and in some countries it has even been legalized. However, new studies raise alarming questions about the effect of this drug on the young body. In particular, scientists at McGill University in Canada have found that the use of cannabis can be especially dangerous for adolescents, disrupting their nervous system and increasing the risk of psychosis.
The study has shown that young people who are at risk of psychosis, cannabis, help reduce the density of synaptic bonds in the brain. Synaptic relationships are important for the normal functioning of the nervous system, and their deficiency can affect cognitive and emotional functions. This can lead to the development of psychosis or increased existing symptoms.
As part of this study, scientists used advanced visualization to study how cannabis affects the brain of young people who have not yet developed complete symptoms of psychosis. 49 participants divided into three groups (psychosis, high risk of psychosis, control group) studied the synaptic density in the brain with the help of positron emission tomography (PET). The results showed that people with a high risk of developing psychosis have already had a shortage of synaptic relationships, and the use of cannabis only worsened this process. The cannabis has a particularly strong influence on the brain areas associated with motivation and processing of rewards, such as the Stratum. This increases the likelihood of psychosis in critical periods of brain development, which emphasizes the importance of caution in the use of cannabis by adolescents.
An important part of the study was that the decrease in synaptic density was associated with negative symptoms of psychosis, such as social seclusion and lack of motivation. However, as scientists point out, this does not have a direct connection with positive symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations, which is probably due to other biological mechanisms. Despite the importance of the results obtained, researchers recognize the restriction of their work, including a small sample size and the fact that the study does not allow the final conclusions about the cause and effect relationships. Further studies, including long -term studies, will help to find out more accurately whether the use of cannabis can soften these changes in the brain or prevent psychosis.
The issue of individual susceptibility to cannabis is also important. Therefore, early intervention and individual prevention strategies can help reduce the negative effects of cannabis on the young body and reduce the risk of mental disorders.
