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J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2018 Dec;13(4):438-452. doi: 10.1007/s11481-018-9782-9. Epub 2018 Mar 19.

Cannabis Addiction and the Brain: a Review.

Author information

1
Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive 31, Room B2L124, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
2
National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
3
Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive 31, Room B2L124, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA. gene-jack.wang@nih.gov.

Abstract

Cannabis is the most commonly used substance of abuse in the United States after alcohol and tobacco. With a recent increase in the rates of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and a decrease in the perceived risk of cannabis use, it is imperative to assess the addictive potential of cannabis. Here we evaluate cannabis use through the neurobiological model of addiction proposed by Koob and Volkow. The model proposes that repeated substance abuse drives neurobiological changes in the brain that can be separated into three distinct stages, each of which perpetuates the cycle of addiction. Here we review previous research on the acute and long-term effects of cannabis use on the brain and behavior, and find that the three-stage framework of addiction applies to CUD in a manner similar to other drugs of abuse, albeit with some slight differences. These findings highlight the urgent need to conduct research that elucidates specific neurobiological changes associated with CUD in humans.

KEYWORDS:

Dopamine; Marijuana; Substance use disorders; THC

PMID:
29556883
PMCID:
PMC6223748
DOI:
10.1007/s11481-018-9782-9
[Indexed for MEDLINE]
Free PMC Article

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