A Yale-led study published in the journal Nature Genetics on November 20, 2023, has shed light on the genetic underpinnings of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and its associations with psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and lung cancer risk. The study, which analyzed the genomes of over 1 million individuals, identified 82 genetic variants linked to CUD and a range of behavioral and health issues associated with the disorder. The researchers found that individuals with CUD were more likely to have genetic variants associated with: Increased cannabis use: These variants were found in genes that regulate the brain’s reward system, which is involved in processing pleasure and motivation. Psychiatric disorders: CUD was associated with genetic variants linked to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Substance abuse: CUD was associated with genetic variants linked to alcohol dependence, nicotine dependence, and opioid dependence. Lung cancer: CUD was associated with a genetic variant that has been previously linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. The study’s authors noted that their findings highlight the complex interplay between genetics and environment in the development of CUD and its associated health problems. They also emphasized the importance of further research to understand the mechanisms by which these genetic variants contribute to CUD and to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

This is a fascinating study that provides new insights into the genetic factors associated with cannabis use disorder (CUD) and its links to various psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and lung cancer risk. The study, led by Yale and published in Nature Genetics, analyzed the genomes of over 1 million individuals and identified 82 genetic variants linked to CUD.

Key findings from the study include:

• Increased cannabis use: Genetic variants were found in genes that regulate the brain’s reward system, which is involved in processing pleasure and motivation.
• Psychiatric disorders: CUD was associated with genetic variants linked to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Substance abuse: CUD was associated with genetic variants linked to alcohol dependence, nicotine dependence, and opioid dependence.
• Lung cancer: CUD was associated with a genetic variant that has been previously linked to an increased risk of lung cancer.

The researchers emphasized the complex interplay between genetics and environment in the development of CUD and its associated health problems. They also highlighted the need for further research to understand the mechanisms by which these genetic variants contribute to CUD and to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies. This study underscores the importance of genetic research in understanding and addressing complex health issues.

The Yale-led study was published in the journal Nature Genetics on November 20, 2023¹². The researchers analyzed the genomes of over 1 million individuals and identified 82 genetic variants linked to cannabis use disorder (CUD) and a range of behavioral and health issues associated with the disorder¹².

Key findings from the study include:

• Increased cannabis use: Genetic variants were found in genes that regulate the brain’s reward system, which is involved in processing pleasure and motivation¹.
• Psychiatric disorders: CUD was associated with genetic variants linked to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)¹.
• Substance abuse: CUD was associated with genetic variants linked to alcohol dependence, nicotine dependence, and opioid dependence¹.
• Lung cancer: CUD was associated with a genetic variant that has been previously linked to an increased risk of lung cancer¹.

The researchers emphasized the complex interplay between genetics and environment in the development of CUD and its associated health problems¹. They also highlighted the need for further research to understand the mechanisms by which these genetic variants contribute to CUD and to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies¹. This study underscores the importance of genetic research in understanding and addressing complex health issues¹².

Learn more:

1. news.yale.edu2. medicine.yale.edu3. healthday.com

A Yale-led analysis of the genomes of more than 1 million people has shed light on the underlying biology of cannabis use disorder and its links to psychiatric disorders, abuse of other substances such as tobacco, and possibly even an elevated risk of developing lung cancer.

For the study, researchers examined a genome-wide set of genetic variants in individuals from multiple ancestry groups enrolled in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Million Veteran Program, one of the world’s largest genetic databases, and incorporated additional information from several other genomic databases. They were able to identify dozens of genetic variants linked to cannabis use disorder and a variety of behavioral and health issues associated with cannabis use disorder.

The study, led by Daniel Levey, assistant professor of psychiatry, and Joel Gelernter, the Foundations Fund Professor of Psychiatry and professor of genetics and of neuroscience, was published Nov. 20 in the journal Nature Genetics.

“Once we understand the biology of cannabis use disorder, we can better understand associated disorders and inform the public of risks associated with marijuana use,” said Levey, lead author of the study.

Marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States, with more than 48 million people (18% of Americans) using it at least once in 2019, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previous research has shown that roughly one-third of people who use marijuana develop cannabis use disorder, which is defined as a problematic pattern of cannabis use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.

The new findings offer insights into the genetic factors that underlie this phenomenon, and other potentially related health risks.

For instance, they found that variants of genes that encode for three different types of receptors on neurons were associated with elevated risk for developing cannabis use disorder.

And they found that these variants linked to cannabis use disorder were also associated with the development of lung cancer. The authors added, however, that more work needs to be done to separate the effects tobacco use and other environmental factors have on cancer diagnoses from those of marijuana use.

“This is the largest genome-wide study of cannabis use disorder ever conducted and as more states legalize or decriminalize the use of marijuana, such studies can help us to understand the public health risks that accompany its increased use,” Gelernter said.