About this Research Topic
WHO estimates that about 147 million people (2.5% of the general population) use cannabis worldwide. However, numbers are much higher in other estimates, reaching 200‒300 million. The development of cannabis-related adverse effects is a complex and dynamic process. At the same time, the perception of no risk of harm has increased substantially, particularly among younger age groups. Risk of addiction and misuse are the prominent concerns, as 9% of cannabis users overall are expected to become dependent, and 17% of use started during their teenage years. One of the most important questions is whether cannabis ‘triggers’ serious mental illness. Meta-analyses indicate that vulnerable people (eg, genetically and environmentally predisposed) who use cannabis frequently have around a twofold increased risk of developing psychotic disorders. For the time there are no models available to predict the relative risks for a cannabis-related serious mental illness.
The aim of this Research Topic is to understand key neurobiological and pharmacological mechanisms associated with the development of serious mental illness related to cannabis use in vulnerable individuals and provide evidence for harm reduction. In addition, to investigate the possibility to develop pre-clinical models to predict relative risks, that may have practical applications in the general population and potentially enable the production of safer products. Regarding the relative safety of the use of cannabis for recreational reasons, there are different views. In addition, very often social opinions are at a distance from scientific ones or there is a fundamental distinction between individual freedom and scientific evidence. To tackle the primary aim requires a combination of different scientific views; neuroscience, pharmacology, toxicology, clinical psychiatry, etc.
The primary aim of this Research Topic is to identify models of harm reduction in the era of legalization of cannabis use. Reviews and Original Research articles are accepted and some of the topics of interest are:
1. The capabilities of neurosciences in assessing potential short and long-term side effects of cannabinoids.
2. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between major cannabinoid components.
3. Developing preclinical models to assess the effects and safety of cannabinoids.
4. Quantitating the risk factors for the development of psychosis among cannabis users.
5. Improving safety by manipulating THC/CBD ratios.
6. Attitudes of health care students towards medical and recreational cannabis use.
The aim of this Research Topic is to understand key neurobiological and pharmacological mechanisms associated with the development of serious mental illness related to cannabis use in vulnerable individuals and provide evidence for harm reduction. In addition, to investigate the possibility to develop pre-clinical models to predict relative risks, that may have practical applications in the general population and potentially enable the production of safer products. Regarding the relative safety of the use of cannabis for recreational reasons, there are different views. In addition, very often social opinions are at a distance from scientific ones or there is a fundamental distinction between individual freedom and scientific evidence. To tackle the primary aim requires a combination of different scientific views; neuroscience, pharmacology, toxicology, clinical psychiatry, etc.
The primary aim of this Research Topic is to identify models of harm reduction in the era of legalization of cannabis use. Reviews and Original Research articles are accepted and some of the topics of interest are:
1. The capabilities of neurosciences in assessing potential short and long-term side effects of cannabinoids.
2. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between major cannabinoid components.
3. Developing preclinical models to assess the effects and safety of cannabinoids.
4. Quantitating the risk factors for the development of psychosis among cannabis users.
5. Improving safety by manipulating THC/CBD ratios.
6. Attitudes of health care students towards medical and recreational cannabis use.
Keywords: cannabis, preclinical models, psychosis, legalization, social attitude
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
