Can a person end consuming cannabis in your life according to your DNA? This is the question asked by a research team from UC San Diego and the genetics company 23andMeand the response has been incredible: they have found a direct connection between our genome and cannabis consumption.
The study. After analyzing the genetic data of 130,000 people, have managed to identify two specific genes like CADM2 and the GRM3which are not only linked to the probability of trying the substance, but also to the frequency of its consumption.
But the most important revelation is how these genes correlate with more than 100 mental and physical health traits, including schizophrenia, impulsivity, diabetes and chronic pain. The ultimate goal: to finally find a way to prevent and treat cannabis use disorder by ‘attacking’ the DNA itself.
Genetics of addiction. Cannabis is one of the most used substances in the world, but its long-term effects and the biological mechanisms that lead to cannabis use disorder remain largely unknown to science.
The lead author of the study points out in this case that “although the majority of people who try cannabis do not develop a cannabis use disorder, some studies estimate that almost 30% will.” And in order to make a more correct estimate, the most powerful genetic tool available today was used: a genome-wide association study GWAS.
The method. Using genetic data and surveys from 131,895 participants from the company 23andMe, the researchers looked for patterns. These were based on the premise that there are different genetic factors that influence people whether or not a person will try drugs, how often they will use them, and the risk of becoming addicted. But now they wanted to specifically identify the molecular systems that were connecting cannabis use to brain function and behavior.
Two genes. The analysis identified two genes significantly associated with lifetime cannabis use. The first of them is CADM2, which includes how neurons connect and communicate in the brain. Previous research already pointed to a relationship between this gene and impulsivity, obesity and cancer metastasis. This new study confirms that it is also linked to both prove cannabis ever like frequency with which it is consumed.
The second gene affected is GRM3, which influences neuronal communication and brain adaptation. Its involvement is notable, as it has previously been connected to serious psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Beyond cannabis. This is where the study becomes more complex. The researchers did not stop at those two genes, since a secondary analysis revealed another 40 genes associated with the use of this drug.
But the most revealing thing was when they cross-referenced these genetic findings with two huge independent health databases (from the program All of Us from the NIH and the Vanderbilt Biobank). In this case, it was discovered that the genetic predisposition to cannabis consumption was correlated with more than 100 different traits such as:
- Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.
- Cognitive traits such as having low executive function.
- Have diabetes or chronic pain.
- Greater likelihood of using tobacco.
- Increased risk of having infectious diseases such as HIV.
Treatment? This study is one of the first to genetically analyze behaviors previous to the development of a cannabis use disorder. In this way, before an addiction to this type of substance occurs, a genetic prediction can be made of how having specific genetics will directly affect the consumption of addictive substances.
Currently, there are no FDA-approved drug therapies to treat cannabis use disorder. Although with these discoveries it is expected in the future to have treatments that can inhibit or attenuate this type of genes that reduce the behaviors that may arise from having this genetic predisposition.
Images | Rick Proctor
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