Cannabis Linked to Epigenetic Changes: Study – Cannabis | weed | marijuana

Researchers have linked cannabis to epigenetic changes, according to a new study published in Molecular Psychiatry.

The study looked at over 1,000 adults and found an association between cannabis use and changes in epigenetic markers.

Of course, the study failed to establish cause and effect. Does cannabis cause these changes directly? Are these changes known to cause health problems?

Even the authors of the study acknowledged the limitations of the study. “Additional studies are needed to reproduce and verify these results,” said Lifang Hou, MD, Ph.D.

What did the study find out? And what relevance does it have for cannabis connoisseurs?

Cannabis related to epigenetic changes: details

The researchers analyzed blood samples taken five years apart from people who had participated in a previous study.

The researchers asked each participant about current cannabis use, but assumed cumulative consumption figures. They then performed a DNA methylation profile to reveal epigenetic changes.

This profiling involves isolating DNA from blood cells and examining the methylation status throughout the genome.

Researchers have used this method to identify epigenetic changes associated with cancer and neurological disorders.

By examining changes in DNA methylation, the researchers linked cannabis use to changes in the human epigenome.

But what does it mean to associate cannabis with epigenetic changes?

The changes affect signaling pathways associated with mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders.

Is this the proof of the reefer craze the businessmen were looking for?

The researchers are cautious. As one of them said:

Further studies are needed to determine whether these associations are consistently observed in different populations. Additionally, studies examining the effect of marijuana on age-related health outcomes could provide further insight into the long-term effects of marijuana on health.

How important are epigenetic factors?

Suppose future studies repeat and confirm these results. Does this mean that cumulative cannabis use leads to mental health problems over time?

What does it mean to associate cannabis with epigenetic changes?

For decades, science writer John Horgan has been on a crusade against scientists who overemphasize epigenetic factors in their research.

Horgan’s argument boils down to three points:

reductionism: When studying genes, researchers tend to take a reductionist approach. They oversimplify complex biological systems. They attribute everything to genes and genetic factors. This can often lead to neglecting interactions between genes, epigenetic changes and environmental influences.

Researchers may find that the epigenetic changes associated with cannabis do not hold up in future studies. Or that the changes have nothing to do with psychological well-being.

Complexities: Genes are crucial in determining many aspects of a human being, but human beings are incredibly complex. Focusing on genes while ignoring the broader context impedes scientific progress. How do genes interact with other factors that affect an individual’s personality or susceptibility to disease?

Nature vs. care: Ultimately, it comes down to the debate between nature and nurturing. Genes and environment are linked. Focusing solely on one over the other results in an incomplete picture.

Do Your Genes Cause Mental Health Problems?

Researchers have linked cannabis to epigenetic changes that lead to substance use disorders, among other things. So if you suffer from “cannabis use disorder,” your genes are the problem.

But that’s an excuse. It is another way for doctors to prescribe drugs patented by the pharmaceutical industry under the guise of “public health”.

To quote Horgan:

The miserable record of behavioral genetics is due to two factors. First, the search for correlations between thousands of genes and thousands of traits and disorders is prone to false positives, especially when traits are as sensitive as “aggression” and “childhood trauma”… Second, the media — including respected scientific journals like Science and PNAS and shows like Dr. Phil – to cheering “discoveries” that get attention.

In the early 2000s, you couldn’t turn on the television or read a newspaper without hearing about pseudo-discoveries of “genes.”

There was the liberal gene, the gay gene, the warrior gene, the religious gene, the alcoholism gene, and the high IQ gene. Even some Austro-libertarian scholars have speculated about a “libertarian” gene.

Proponents of the theory have updated their narrative. Some might call it “moving the target posts”. Researchers are now talking about a “cluster” of genes.

What does this latest study tell us?

Researchers have linked cannabis to epigenetic changes similar to tobacco. They speculate that the changes are also linked to substance use disorders and other mental health issues.

But how do epigenetic changes affect people’s thoughts?

A correlation between thousands of genes and traits tells us nothing. Especially when the terms are ambiguous. Even if you choose an objective definition, you have the problem of associating false positives with something they are not.

These studies reinforce the notion that individuals are biologically fine-tuned homogeneous clumps. That we need to act and behave in certain ways and think certain thoughts based on our genetic programming.

It’s pseudoscience.