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Advancing the understanding of cannabinoids in psychiatry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2024

Gregers Wegener Open the ORCID record for Gregers Wegener [Opens in a new window]
Gregers Wegener*
Affiliation:
Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark Department of Affective Disorders, Aarhus University Hospital–Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
*
Corresponding author: Gregers Wegener; Email: wegener@clin.au.dk
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Abstract

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Type
Editorial
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 36 , Issue 5 , October 2024 , pp. 251 - 252
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Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology

We are pleased to introduce the first special issue of Acta Neuropsychiatrica, which is dedicated to exploring the role of cannabinoids in psychiatric research and treatment. By concentrating on the multifaceted aspects of cannabinoids in psychiatry, this issue aims to provide an update and overview of current research trends, emerging insights, and the challenges that lie ahead.

Cannabinoids have garnered increasing attention in psychiatry due to their potential therapeutic applications across a range of mental disorders. The endocannabinoid system is integral to the regulation of mood, cognition, and stress responses, and its dysregulation has been implicated in conditions such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and neurodegenerative diseases.

The articles in this special issue cover a spectrum of topics that highlight both the promise and complexity of cannabinoids in psychiatric contexts (Brianis et al., Reference Brianis, Andreotti, Moreira and Iglesias2024; Brianis, Iglesias, et al., Reference Brianis, Iglesias, Bedeschi and Moreira2024; Kajero et al., Reference Kajero, Seedat, Ohaeri, Akindele and Aina2024; Maes et al., Reference Maes, Rachayon, Jirakran, Sughondhabirom, Almulla and Sodsai2024; Chaves et al., Reference Chaves, Raymundi, Waltrick, de Souza Crippa, Stern, da Cunha and Zanoveli2024; Sanchez-Fernandez et al., Reference Sanchez-Fernandez, Gomez-Acero, Sarasola, Argerich, Chevigne, Jacobson, Ciruela, Fernandez-Duenas and Aso2024; Cohen et al., Reference Cohen, Petitjean, Blasco and Mizrahi2024; de Mattos et al., Reference de Mattos, Bonato, Splendor, Del Bel, Milani and de Oliveira2024; Machado et al., Reference Machado, de Almeida, Zuardi, Hallak, Crippa and Vieira2024), ranging from the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in a variety of settings to research on the interplay between endocannabinoid and endovanilloid mechanisms giving new perspectives on fear conditioning and memory consolidation.

While these studies underscore the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, they also highlight the need for caution and further research. The current evidence base is limited by factors such as small sample sizes and short durations in clinical studies, if present. Moreover, concerns about adverse effects, particularly with high-potency cannabis products, necessitate rigorous investigation to establish safety and efficacy profiles for psychiatric applications.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the work of our guest editors, Professor Francisco Guimarães and Professor Sâmia Joca, whose significant contributions are instrumental in the creation of this issue and in advancing our understanding of the endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic potential (Joca & Guimaraes, Reference Joca and Guimaraes2024).

We hope that this special issue will serve as a valuable resource for clinicians, researchers, and students, fostering a deeper understanding of how cannabinoids, in particular CBD, may be harnessed to improve mental health outcomes. As the field continues to evolve, we anticipate that the insights presented herein will catalyse further studies and contribute to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

We invite you to engage with the articles in this special issue and join us in exploring the complex yet promising landscape of cannabinoids in psychiatry.

References

Brianis, RC, Andreotti, JP, Moreira, FA and Iglesias, LP (2024) Interplay between endocannabinoid and endovanilloid mechanisms in fear conditioning. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 36 (5):255–264. DOI: 10.1017/neu.2023.54.Google Scholar
Brianis, RC, Iglesias, LP, Bedeschi, LG and Moreira, FA (2024) Effects of cannabidiol on reward contextual memories induced by cocaine in male and female mice. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 36 (5):299–306. DOI: 10.1017/neu.2023.53.Google Scholar
Chaves, YC, Raymundi, AM, Waltrick, APF, de Souza Crippa, JA, Stern, CAJ, da Cunha, JM and Zanoveli, JM (2024) Cannabidiol modulates contextual fear memory consolidation in animals with experimentally induced type-1 diabetes mellitus. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 36 (5):276–286. DOI: 10.1017/neu.2023.13.Google Scholar
Cohen, J, Petitjean, H, Blasco, MB and Mizrahi, R (2024) Cannabis-induced psychotic disorder with onset during withdrawal: a brief report of emerging evidence. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 36 (5):325–329. DOI: 10.1017/neu.2023.60.Google Scholar
de Mattos, BA, Bonato, JM, Splendor, MC, Del Bel, E, Milani, H and de Oliveira, RMW (2024) Cannabidiol improves non-motor symptoms, attenuates neuroinflammation, and favours hippocampal newborn neuronal maturation in a rat model of Parkinsonism. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 36 (5):307–319. DOI: 10.1017/neu.2024.15.Google Scholar
Joca, S and Guimaraes, FS (2024) The therapeutic potential of cannabidiol in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 36 (5):253–254.Google Scholar
Kajero, JA, Seedat, S, Ohaeri, JU, Akindele, A and Aina, O (2024) The effects of cannabidiol on behavioural and oxidative stress parameters induced by prolonged haloperidol administration. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 36 (5):265–275. DOI: 10.1017/neu.2022.29.Google Scholar
Machado, JPD, de Almeida, V, Zuardi, AW, Hallak, JEC, Crippa, JA and Vieira, AS (2024) Cannabidiol modulates hippocampal genes involved in mitochondrial function, ribosome biogenesis, synapse organization, and chromatin modifications. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 36 (5):330–336. DOI: 10.1017/neu.2024.13.Google Scholar
Maes, M, Rachayon, M, Jirakran, K, Sughondhabirom, A, Almulla, AF, and Sodsai, P. (2024) Role of T and B lymphocyte cannabinoid type 1 and 2 receptors in major depression and suicidal behaviours. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 36 (5):287–298. DOI: 10.1017/neu.2023.35.Google Scholar
Sanchez-Fernandez, N, Gomez-Acero, L, Sarasola, LI, Argerich, J, Chevigne, A, Jacobson, KA, Ciruela, F, Fernandez-Duenas, V and Aso, E (2024) Cannabidiol negatively modulates adenosine A(2A) receptor functioning in living cells. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 36 (5):320–324. DOI: 10.1017/neu.2023.30.Google Scholar