A study published in Molecular Psychiatry has found that frequent use of high-potency cannabis leaves a distinct molecular mark on DNA, potentially affecting genes related to energy and immune function.
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This research is particularly significant because it is the first to suggest a biological impact of high-potency cannabis (with THC content of 10% or more) on DNA. The study's findings provide a deeper understanding of the health risks associated with frequent cannabis use, especially its link to psychosis.
The researchers focused on DNA methylation, an epigenetic process that alters gene activity without changing the DNA sequence itself. This process can be influenced by environmental factors like substance use, making it a key mechanism for understanding the biological impact of cannabis on mental health. By analyzing blood samples from 682 participants—239 individuals who had experienced first-episode psychosis and 443 healthy controls—the team explored how cannabis use affected DNA across the human genome.
Their findings revealed that frequent users of high-potency cannabis had specific changes in genes involved in mitochondrial and immune function, notably the CAVIN1 gene. These changes, which influence energy production and immune response, were distinct from the effects of tobacco use, which is often mixed into cannabis joints.
The study also highlighted that the DNA changes in individuals with psychosis were different from those in people who had never experienced a psychotic episode. This opens the possibility of developing DNA blood tests to help identify cannabis users at higher risk of developing psychosis, potentially offering new preventive strategies.
Marta Di Forti, senior author and professor at King’s College London, emphasized the growing need to understand the biological effects of cannabis, especially given its increased potency and prevalence. According to Dr. Emma Dempster, the study’s first author, the research offers new insights into how cannabis may affect biological pathways that are crucial to mental health, particularly through changes in energy and immune functions.
Future studies are needed to explore whether these DNA signatures could help identify those most vulnerable to the mental health risks associated with high-potency cannabis, in both recreational and medicinal contexts. This study provides an important step toward understanding the complex relationship between cannabis use, genetics, and mental health risks.
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