Neurogenetic and Epigenetic Aspects of Cannabinoids
Catherine A. Dennen,
Kenneth Blum,
Abdalla Bowirrat,
Jag Khalsa,
Panayotis K. Thanos,
David Baron,
Rajendra D. Badgaiyan,
Ashim Gupta,
Eric R. Braverman,
Mark S. Gold
Affiliations
Catherine A. Dennen
Department of Family Medicine, Jefferson Health Northeast, Philadelphia, PA 19114, USA
Kenneth Blum
Division of Nutrigenomics, The Kenneth Blum Behavioral Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Abdalla Bowirrat
Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
Jag Khalsa
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
Panayotis K. Thanos
Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biosciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
David Baron
Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Psychiatry, Medicine & Primary Care (Office of the Provost), Graduate College, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
Rajendra D. Badgaiyan
Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
Ashim Gupta
Future Biologics, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA
Eric R. Braverman
Division of Nutrigenomics, The Kenneth Blum Behavioral Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Mark S. Gold
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
Cannabis is one of the most commonly used and abused illicit drugs in the world today. The United States (US) currently has the highest annual prevalence rate of cannabis consumption in the world, 17.9% in individuals aged 12 or older, and it is on the rise. With increasing cannabis use comes the potential for an increase in abuse, and according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 5.1% of Americans had Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) in 2020. Research has shown that genetics and epigenetics play a significant role in cannabis use and CUD. In fact, approximately 50–70% of liability to CUD and 40–48% of cannabis use initiation have been found to be the result of genetic factors. Cannabis usage and CUD have also been linked to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders and Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) subsets like schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. Comprehension of the genetic and epigenetic aspects of cannabinoids is necessary for future research, treatment plans, and the production of pure cannabinoid compounds, which will be essential for FDA approval. In conclusion, having a better understanding of the epigenetic and genetic underpinnings of cannabis use, CUD, and the endocannabinoid system as a whole will aid in the development of effective FDA-approved treatment therapies and the advancement of personalized medicine.
