Cannabis Use: Neurobiological, Behavioral, and Sex/Gender Considerations

AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo summarize the current literature on the effects of cannabinoids in humans and to discuss the existing literature on the sex- and gender-related differences in the effects of cannabinoids.Recent FindingsCannabis and its constituent cannabinoids are associated with risk of addiction, cognitive deficits, and mood/psychotic disorders. Preclinical and emerging clinical data suggest greater sensitivity to the effects of cannabinoids in women.SummaryCannabis is one of the most commonly used drugs with increasing rates of use. Women in particular may be at a greater risk of adverse outcomes given the previously described “telescoping effect” of substance use in women. Human data examining the sex- and gender-related differences in the effects of cannabinoids and factors underlying these differences are very limited. This represents a critical gap in the literature and needs to be systematically examined in futur e studies.
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research