Marijuana: Effects of teenage use may be reversible

Marijuana: Effects of teenage use may be reversible

Published on 9/13/17

Researchers from the University of Western Ontario published a paper in the journal Scientific Reports with some new information on how cannabis interacts with animal neurotransmitters on a lond term basis, as well as an effective way to treat adverse effects some might experience. In the study, some rats developed schizophrenic-like symptoms due to a drop in GABA neurotransmitters, but it was found these effects could be reversed using medications that specifically activate the GABA neurotransmitters. With Canada's and many U.S. states' newfound cannabis law reform, this discovery may bring comfort to those intending to medicate long term and reduce any adverse effects that may come along with it. 

Finally, the researchers found that they could reverse these effects in the brain and in the rats' behavior by using drugs that activate GABA.

Prof. Laviolette says that the discovery that they could reverse the effects with drugs is particularly well timed for Canada, where marijuana is about to become legal.

He explains that this could mean that people might be able to combine use of marijuana - either for recreational or medicinal purposes - with compounds that increase GABA to protect against the potentially adverse effects of THC exposure.

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