ABSTRACT: Introduction Under specific conditions, a weak lead stimulus, or “prepulse”, can inhibit the startling effects of a subsequent intense abrupt stimulus. This startle-inhibiting effect of the prepulse, termed “prepulse inhibition” (PPI), is widely used in translational models to understand the biology of brain based inhibitory mechanisms and their deficiency in ... Continue Reading
Psychosis
STUDY: Anxiety – Pharmacological interventions in the treatment of the acute effects of cannabis: a systematic review of literature
ABSTRACT: Background Cannabis intoxication is related to a number of physical and mental health risks with ensuing social costs. However, little attention has been given to the investigation of possible pharmacological interactions in this condition. Objective To review the available scientific literature concerning pharmacological interventions for the treatment of ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Modulation of cognitive and emotional processing by cannabidiol: the role of the anterior cingulate cortex
ABSTRACT: Cannabis sativa is a plant containing over 70 active compounds called cannabinoids (Schoedel and Harrison, 2012). The psychoactive effects of cannabinoids are abused worldwide by about 20% of young people, who report regular or heavy use of the cannabis plant (Moore et al., 2007). Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most prevalent cannabinoid in the plant, has ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Facial Affect – Acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and their combination on facial emotion recognition: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in cannabis users
ABSTRACT: Acute administration of the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis, Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), impairs human facial affect recognition, implicating the endocannabinoid system in emotional processing. Another main constituent of cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD), has seemingly opposite functional effects on the brain. This study aimed to determine the effects ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Psychotic Illness – Cannabis, a complex plant: different compounds and different effects on individuals
ABSTRACT: Cannabis is a complex plant, with major compounds such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, which have opposing effects. The discovery of its compounds has led to the further discovery of an important neurotransmitter system called the endocannabinoid system. This system is widely distributed in the brain and in the body, and is considered to be ... Continue Reading