Summary: Frequent use of potent cannabis leaves unique molecular marks on your DNA, particularly affecting genes related to energy and immune function. Researchers found that DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification, differs between cannabis users who have experienced psychosis and those who have not, suggesting there may be a genetic link to psychosis risk. suggests.
This finding could help DNA blood tests identify cannabis users who are more susceptible to psychosis, potentially informing future prevention approaches. As cannabis use becomes more widespread, understanding its biological effects is especially important for mental health.
Title: Potent Cannabis Leaves Unique DNA Marks Linked to Mental Health
A study has revealed that frequent use of potent cannabis leaves unique molecular marks on your DNA, particularly affecting genes related to energy and immune function. Researchers found that DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification, differs between cannabis users who have experienced psychosis and those who have not, suggesting there may be a genetic link to psychosis risk. suggests. This finding could help DNA blood tests identify cannabis users who are more susceptible to psychosis, potentially informing future prevention approaches. As cannabis use becomes more widespread, understanding its biological effects is especially important for mental health.
Important facts:
Potent cannabis affects genes associated with energy and immune response. Frequent use can leave distinct DNA marks and may be associated with a risk of psychosis. This discovery could enable future DNA tests to determine psychosis susceptibility in cannabis users.
Source: King’s College London
The study, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, is the first to suggest that the use of potent cannabis leaves a distinct imprint on DNA, providing valuable insight into the biological effects of cannabis use. provide insight.
High-potency cannabis is defined as having a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of 10 percent or more.
The study also showed that cannabis use has a different effect on DNA in people experiencing psychosis for the first time than in people who have never experienced psychosis, indicating characteristics of cannabis users at risk of developing psychosis. suggests that a DNA blood test may be helpful in revealing the Provides information useful for a preventive approach.
This research was funded by the Medical Research Council, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Center (BRC), and the NIHR Exeter BRC.
Lead author Marta Di Forti, Professor of Drugs, Genes and Psychiatry at King’s IoPPN, said: .
“Our study shows for the first time that potent cannabis leaves unique imprints on DNA that are associated with the immune system and mechanisms around energy production.
“Future research will explore whether DNA signatures of current cannabis use, particularly high-potency types of cannabis use, can help identify users at highest risk of developing psychosis in both recreational and medical use settings. We need to investigate.”
Researchers investigated the effects of cannabis use on DNA methylation, a chemical process detected in blood samples that changes the function of genes (whether they are switched on or off).
DNA methylation is a type of epigenetic change, meaning it changes gene expression without affecting the DNA sequence itself, and is considered an important factor in the interaction between risk factors and mental health. I am.
A team of researchers at the University of Exeter carried out a complex analysis of DNA methylation across the human genome using blood samples taken from both people who had experienced a first episode of psychosis and people who had never experienced psychosis.
Researchers examined the effects of current cannabis use, including frequency and potency, on the DNA of a total of 682 participants.
The analysis found that people who frequently used strong cannabis had changes in genes related to mitochondria and immune function, particularly the CAVIN1 gene, which could affect energy and immune responses.
These changes are not explained by the well-established effects of tobacco on DNA methylation, which is commonly contaminated by most cannabis users.
Dr Emma Dempster, senior lecturer at the University of Exeter and lead author of the study, said: “This is the first study to show that frequent use of potent cannabis leaves a distinct molecular imprint on your DNA, particularly affecting genes related to energy and immune function.”
“Our findings provide important insights into how cannabis use alters biological processes. DNA methylation is an important mechanism bridging the gap between genetics and environmental factors. , allowing external influences such as substance use to influence gene activity.
“These epigenetic changes shaped by lifestyle and exposure provide a valuable perspective on how cannabis use affects mental health through biological pathways.”
Dr. Emma Dempster conducted a meta-analysis of data from two cohorts. The GAP study comprised new cases of psychosis from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and the EU-GEI study comprised new cases of psychosis and healthy controls. All over the UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Brazil. This totaled 239 participants with an initial episode of psychosis and 443 healthy controls representing the general population at both study sites for whom DNA samples were available.
Most cannabis users in the study used high-potency cannabis at least once a week (defined as frequent use), and on average first used cannabis at age 16. High-potency cannabis was defined as having a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of 10 percent or more. THC is the main psychoactive component of cannabis.
About this epigenetics and CUD research news
Author: Franka Davenport
Source: King’s College London
Contact: Franca Davenport – King’s College London
Image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Open access.
“Methylomic characteristics of current cannabis use in two first-episode psychosis cohorts” by Marta Di Forti et al. Molecular Psychiatry
abstract
Methylomic characteristics of current cannabis use in two first-episode psychosis cohorts
The growing prevalence and legalization of cannabis around the world highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of its biological effects, especially on mental health.
Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation, are increasingly recognized as important factors in the interaction between risk factors and mental health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of current cannabis use and potent cannabis on DNA methylation in two independent cohorts of individuals who experienced first-episode psychosis (FEP) compared to control subjects.
The combined sample consisted of 682 participants (188 current cannabis users, 494 never users). DNA methylation profiles were generated on blood-derived DNA samples using the Illumina DNA methylation array platform. Meta-analysis across cohorts showed that one CpG site (cg11669285) within the CAVIN1 gene showed differential methylation with current cannabis use, exceeding array-wide significance thresholds and independent of tobacco-related epigenetic signatures. It was identified that
Additionally, a CpG site (cg11669285) localized to the MCU gene achieved array-wide significance in the analysis of the effects of current high-potency (THC = > 10%) cannabis use. Pathway and local analyzes identified cannabis-associated epigenetic variations near genes associated with immune and mitochondrial function, both of which are known to be influenced by cannabinoids.
Interestingly, a model including an interaction term between cannabis use and FEP status identified two sites that were significantly associated with current cannabis use with a nominally significant interaction, such that FEP status It was suggested that the effect on methylation may be alleviated.
Collectively, these findings contribute to our current understanding of the epigenetic effects of cannabis use and highlight potential molecular pathways affected by cannabis exposure.
