British Study Doubts Marijuana Causes schizophrenia-like psychosis

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BBS News

Sunday 13 May 2007

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Marijuana Science and Health Briefs

IACM via BBSNews 2007-05-13 -- British scientists analysed symptoms of
757 subjects, who developed schizophrenia, of whom 182 (24 per cent) had
used cannabis in the year prior to first presentation to a psychiatrist
due to the disease. There were no significant differences in the
symptoms between cannabis users and non-users that have been observed in
some small studies. In addition, cannabis users who developed
schizophrenia had no greater family history of schizophrenia. The
authors concluded that this "argues against a distinct
schizophrenia-like psychosis caused by cannabis."

(Source: Boydell J, et al. Schizophr Res 2007 Apr 24; [Electronic
publication ahead of print])

Pancreatitis

Researchers of the University of Heidelberg, Germany, found that
patients with acute inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) showed
elevated levels of cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids in the
pancreas. In studies with mice with pancreatitis a cannabinoid that as
THC binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors reduced pain and inflammation of the
disease.

(Source: Michalski CW, et al. Gastroenterology 2007;132(5):1968-78.)

THC in sweat

In a study with 11 daily cannabis users THC was detectable in the sweat
of all subjects above a concentration of 1 ng/ml in the first week after
abstinence. In the second week their sweat was positive in eight of
eleven subjects and one participant produced THC positive sweat patches
for four weeks after abstinence. Daily oral doses of up to 14.8 mg THC
caused no positive sweat test above a concentration of 1 ng/ml.

(Source: Huestis MA, et al. Forensic Sci Int 2007 May 2; [Electronic
publication ahead of print])

Vomiting by cannabis

The article describes a case of vomiting caused by regular cannabis use.
This rare condition is characterized by regular cannabis use, cyclic
vomiting and compulsive bathing behaviours.

(Source: Wallace D, et al. Australas Psychiatry 2007;15(2):156-8.)

Schizophrenia and cognition

German researchers compared cognitive performance of 39 schizophrenic
patients (19 cannabis-users and 20 non-users) and 39 healthy controls
(18 cannabis-users, 21 non-users). On the whole, schizophrenic patients
performed worse than healthy control subjects. Regular cannabis use
prior to the first psychotic episode improved cognition in some tests.
On the other hand, cannabis use deteriorated test performance in healthy
controls, especially in cases when regular consumption started before
the age of 17.

(Source: Jockers-Scherubl MC, et al. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol
Psychiatry 2007 Mar 16; [Electronic publication ahead of print])

http://bbsnews.net/article.php/20070513134322800

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