Study reveals SERIOUS genetic risks behind cannabis use

In a comprehensive study that integrated genetic information from more than 1 million individuals, scientists began to decipher the genetics behind drug use disorder. cannabis.

This disorder is characterized by the development of tolerance to the substance and the difficulty in reducing its consumption, despite the negative impacts on the lives and health of individuals.

Researchers identified genetic variants linked to the risk of developing cannabis use disorder, revealing key points of genetic variation, called “loci”, associated with this condition.

These findings were the result of analysis of data from the Million Veterans Program, which included medical and genetic information from U.S. veterans totaling more than 1 million participants, of which approximately 64,000 were diagnosed with the aforementioned disorder.

The study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, identified 22 loci relevant to people of European descent, two to Africans, two to East Asians and one to individuals of mixed ancestry.

The findings suggest the crucial need to expand recruitment outside of European ancestry groups to better understand genetic variants in different populations.

Genetic variations frequently identified were associated with neuron-related genes, especially near genes crucial to the brain’s reward system and addictionsuch as the dopamine receptor.

However, cannabinoid receptors, direct targets of cannabis compounds, were not prominent in the results, indicating distinct brain interactions in relation to cannabis use disorder.

Study points to genetic variations related to cannabis use. – Image: Narconon/Reproduction

In addition to direct associations, the study revealed links between cannabis use disorder and smoking, substance dependence, post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and even a possible relationship with lung cancer.

However, more in-depth research is needed to fully understand these interactions and discern the extent to which factors such as smoking influence these associations.

The team emphasizes the importance of additional investigations to better understand genetic relationships and their impacts on healthseeking to clarify the mechanisms behind associations between cannabis use disorder and other conditions.