Cannabis Use Disorder Linked to Psychosis, Elevated Dopamine Activity in Specific Brain Regions

Scientists have found a potential mechanism connecting cannabis use to psychosis risk: elevated dopamine levels in key brain regions.

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Cannabis users with addiction may face a higher risk of psychosis because of elevated dopamine levels in the brain, according to a new study.

The study, recently published in JAMA Psychiatry, found that people who have cannabis use disorder (CUD) tended to have a more active substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA) region in the brain. Participants included 61 people who reported early psychotic symptoms—26 had cannabis use disorder while 35 did not.