Israeli researchers find cannabis triggers schizophrenia

According to a new research, cannabis can act as a trigger for schizophrenia in individuals already prone to the disorder.

Tel Aviv University published the research in Human Molecular Genetics that pointed out that the brain disorder schizophrenia can be set off by genetic interaction with environmental factors. According to the study, smoking pot is at times related with patients’ “first episode” of schizophrenia.

The research was conducted by Dr. Ran Barzilay and led by Professor Dani Offen. The other team members included Professor Inna Slutsky and Hadar Segal-Gavish, both of TAU's Sackler School of Medicine, Professor Abraham Weizman of Geha Medical Health Center and Professor Akira Sawa of Johns Hopkins Medical Center.

Dr. Barzilay stated, “Our research demonstrates that cannabis has a differential risk on susceptible versus non-susceptible individuals. In other words, young people with a genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia -- those who have psychiatric disorders in their families -- should bear in mind that they're playing with fire if they smoke pot during adolescence.”

The experiment was conducted on mice with genetic vulnerability to the disorder to THC – a psychoactive compound present in cannabis. The mice were observed during a time period equal to human teenagers. The results showed that the susceptible mice were at a greater risk of developing abnormal brain patterns, reported Science Daily.

“The study was conducted on mice but it mimics a clinical picture of 'first episode' schizophrenia, which presents during adolescence in proximity to robust cannabis use,” informed Dr. Barzilay.

The research team also found out a certain brain factor called BDNF protected the non-susceptible mice from the effects of cannabis. As reported in Medical Daily, though this experiment has not yet been conducted in humans, the scientists still warn specific adolescents to stay away from the drug.

Prof. Offen expressed, “This research clearly has implications in terms of public health. The novel protective mechanism identified in the study may serve as a basis for the future development of compounds capable of attenuating the deleterious effect of cannabis on brain development. However, until that time, it is important that young people at risk for psychiatric disorders (i.e., have psychiatric disorders in their family or have reacted strongly to drugs in the past) should be particularly cautious with cannabis use during adolescence.”