The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the dopamine system

Michael A. P. Bloomfield; Abhishekh H. Ashok; Nora D. Volkow; Oliver D. Howes

doi:10.1038/nature20153

The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the dopamine system

Michael A. P. Bloomfield, Abhishekh H. Ashok, Nora D. Volkow, Oliver D. Howes

Research output: Contribution to journal › Literature review › peer-review

257 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, are a pressing concern for global mental health. Patterns of cannabis use are changing drastically owing to legalization, the availability of synthetic analogues (commonly termed spice), cannavaping and an emphasis on the purported therapeutic effects of cannabis. Many of the reinforcing effects of THC are mediated by the dopamine system. Owing to the complexity of the cannabinoid–dopamine interactions that take place, there is conflicting evidence from human and animal studies concerning the effects of THC on the dopamine system. Acute THC administration causes increased dopamine release and neuron activity, whereas long-term use is associated with blunting of the dopamine system. Future research must examine the long-term and developmental dopaminergic effects of THC.

Original language	Undefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)	369-377
Number of pages	9
Journal	NATURE
Volume	539
Issue number	7629
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/nature20153
Publication status	Published - 16 Nov 2016

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The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol_BLOOMFILED_Accepted 10Oct2016_GREEN AAMAccepted author manuscript, 164 KBLicence: Unspecified

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title = "The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the dopamine system",

abstract = "The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, are a pressing concern for global mental health. Patterns of cannabis use are changing drastically owing to legalization, the availability of synthetic analogues (commonly termed spice), cannavaping and an emphasis on the purported therapeutic effects of cannabis. Many of the reinforcing effects of THC are mediated by the dopamine system. Owing to the complexity of the cannabinoid–dopamine interactions that take place, there is conflicting evidence from human and animal studies concerning the effects of THC on the dopamine system. Acute THC administration causes increased dopamine release and neuron activity, whereas long-term use is associated with blunting of the dopamine system. Future research must examine the long-term and developmental dopaminergic effects of THC.",

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T1 - The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the dopamine system

AU - Bloomfield, Michael A. P.

AU - Ashok, Abhishekh H.

AU - Volkow, Nora D.

AU - Howes, Oliver D.

PY - 2016/11/16

Y1 - 2016/11/16

N2 - The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, are a pressing concern for global mental health. Patterns of cannabis use are changing drastically owing to legalization, the availability of synthetic analogues (commonly termed spice), cannavaping and an emphasis on the purported therapeutic effects of cannabis. Many of the reinforcing effects of THC are mediated by the dopamine system. Owing to the complexity of the cannabinoid–dopamine interactions that take place, there is conflicting evidence from human and animal studies concerning the effects of THC on the dopamine system. Acute THC administration causes increased dopamine release and neuron activity, whereas long-term use is associated with blunting of the dopamine system. Future research must examine the long-term and developmental dopaminergic effects of THC.

AB - The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, are a pressing concern for global mental health. Patterns of cannabis use are changing drastically owing to legalization, the availability of synthetic analogues (commonly termed spice), cannavaping and an emphasis on the purported therapeutic effects of cannabis. Many of the reinforcing effects of THC are mediated by the dopamine system. Owing to the complexity of the cannabinoid–dopamine interactions that take place, there is conflicting evidence from human and animal studies concerning the effects of THC on the dopamine system. Acute THC administration causes increased dopamine release and neuron activity, whereas long-term use is associated with blunting of the dopamine system. Future research must examine the long-term and developmental dopaminergic effects of THC.

U2 - 10.1038/nature20153

DO - 10.1038/nature20153

M3 - Literature review

SN - 0028-0836

VL - 539

SP - 369

EP - 377

JO - NATURE

JF - NATURE

IS - 7629

ER -

The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the dopamine system

Abstract

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