As a new study implies, humans with given genetic markers may be highly vulnerable to marijuana addiction. The study discovered a connection between signs of marijuana use and three genetic markers. As well, researchers discovered a link between the three genetic risk factors for dependence on marijuana and the genetic risk factors for depression. So they drew a conclusion that that’s why dependence on marijuana and depression happen concurrently.
Dr. Joel Gelernter, the study co-author and a professor of psychiatry, genetics and neuroscience at Yale University School of Medicine based in Connecticut, hopes that the new findings would help create a detailed understanding of the marijuana dependence biology.
Gelernter added that perhaps their findings could help future researchers discover new medication to treat marijuana dependence disorder. According to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), the condition has no drugs.
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Furthermore, Gelernter expressed his faith in the Live Science saying that their findings could help create more awareness to the general public that use of marijuana is addictive, particularly, in people at a higher genetic risk.
The study used data from over fourteen thousand Americans who participated in one study of the three that were aimed at exploring the genetics of substance abuse disorders. Eighteen to thirty-six of these participants were users of marijuana. The scientists searched for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) during the study.
As Gelernter reported, three genetic variants were found to have correlations with symptoms of cannabis dependence. One of these factors was a gene that was regulating calcium concentrations in blood. The second genetic variant was found in CSMD1 gene, which helps in the development of the CNS (Central Nervous System). Genetic variants in this gene have been linked to schizophrenia before.
Though the study discovered a link between three genetic markers and signs of marijuana dependence, it didn’t confirm these markers trigger the addiction.
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