homehome Home chatchat Notifications


Is cannabis addiction genetic? Scientists identify genes associated with cannabis use disorder

Scientists identify potential genetic factors that could play into CanUD

Tibi Puiu
December 13, 2023 @ 10:05 pm

share Share

Man smoking cannabis joint
Credit: Pexels.
Key takeaways:
  • 🧬 Recent study explores the genetic basis of Cannabis Use Disorder (CanUD) using data from over a million human genomes.
  • 🌍 Study reveals significant genetic differences in CanUD susceptibility across European, African, Admixed American, and East Asian populations.
  • 🔬 Research suggests a bi-directional relationship between excessive cannabis use and schizophrenia, with potential genetic links to lung cancer risk.

In an era when cannabis use is becoming increasingly normalized, both recreationally and medically, a recent study sheds light on the genetic underpinnings of cannabis use disorder (CanUD). Scientists used data encompassing the genomes of over a million people and uncovered DNA segments potentially linked to cannabis addiction.

Cannabis, now legal for recreational use in eight countries and for medicinal purposes in forty-eight, is no stranger to controversy. Despite its supported medical applications for conditions like chronic pain and epilepsy, marijuana is not a silver bullet in medicine as some like to make it out to be. Furthermore, there are important concerns that arise with its addictive potential.

Approximately one in ten cannabis users develop an addiction or use cannabis in a way that hurts them. Previous studies hinted at a genetic angle, while also linking cannabis misuse to various cancers and psychiatric disorders.

To delve deeper, neuroscientists at Yale University expanded upon earlier research by integrating genetic data from varied sources, notably the Million Veteran Program‘s extensive biobank.

The researchers identified significant genetic loci (the location of a gene on a chromosome) linked to cannabis use disorder in various ancestral groups. They found unique genetic factors in European, African, Admixed American, and East Asian populations, suggesting a nuanced influence of genetics on susceptibility to CanUD across different ethnicities.

For instance, a notable locus was identified in CHRNA2, a gene associated with nicotine dependence, in people of European ancestry. Furthermore, SLC36A2 was identified as a significant gene in African populations, which has not been previously linked to CanUD.

These findings also emphasize the importance of including diverse populations in genetic studies, as it allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic factors contributing to disorders like CanUD.

Besides identifying genes that may be involved in addiction, the analysis also found evidence that suggests a bi-directional relationship between excessive cannabis use and schizophrenia, meaning each can potentially exacerbate the other. Multiple previous studies have reached similar conclusions, including a November 2023 study that found that teenagers who use cannabis are at higher risk of schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions.

Through Mendelian randomization analysis, the researchers suggested a possible genetic link between CanUD and increased lung cancer risk. Further research is required to fully comprehend the full scope and implications of cannabis use for public health.

The findings appeared in the journal Nature Genetics.

share Share

We Could One Day Power a Galactic Civilization with Spinning Black Holes

Could future civilizations plug into the spin of space-time itself?

Scientists filmed wild chimpanzees sharing alcohol-laced fermented fruit for the first time and it looks eerily familiar

New footage suggests our primate cousins may have their own version of happy hour.

China’s Humanoid Robots Stumble, Break Down, and Finish the World’s First Robot Half Marathon

Bipedal bots compete with humans in first half-marathon race — with a bit of help from duct tape.

Here's why you should stop working out before bedtime

Even hours before bedtime, workouts can be a problem.

China Just Powered Up the World’s First Thorium Reactor — and Reloaded It Mid-Run

They used declassified US documents to develop the technology.

Packed Festival Crowds Actually Form Living Vortices -- And You Can Predict Them with Physics

The physics of crows explains why they sometimes move like waves.

What Happens When Russian and Ukrainian Soldiers Come Home?

Russian and Ukrainian soldiers will eventually largely lay down their arms, but as the Soviet Afghanistan War shows, returning from the frontlines causes its own issues.

Some people are just wired to like music more, study shows

Most people enjoy music to some extent. But while some get goosebumps from their favorite song, others don’t really feel that much. A part of that is based on our culture. But according to one study, about half of it is written in our genes. In one of the largest twin studies on musical pleasure […]

This Stinky Coastal Outpost Made Royal Dye For 500 Years

Archaeologists have uncovered a reeking, violet-stained factory where crushed sea snails once fueled the elite’s obsession with royal purple.

Researchers analyzed 10,000 studies and found cannabis could actually fight cancer

Scientists used AI to scan a huge number of papers and found cannabis gets a vote of confidence from science.