Study Finds Increased Brain Connectivity in Regular Cannabis Users
Researchers found an association between cannabis use and the ability to empathize.
In a study published earlier this month, researchers aimed to examine the influence of cannabis use on the connectivity of areas in the brain associated with empathy and that also contain many CB1 receptors (1). The study, titled “Empathy-related differences in the anterior cingulate functional connectivity of regular cannabis users when compared to controls,” was published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research on November 8, 2023 (1). Citing negative associations between cannabis and mental health, the researchers for this study stated that the results demonstrated some potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis and its positive effects on relationships (1).
Researchers studied a total of 136 participants, 85 of whom used cannabis regularly, using the Cognitive and Affective Empathy Test to analyze their ability to empathize with others (1). They also examined MRI images taken from a smaller sample, 46 regular cannabis users and 34 controls, of the original population (1). According to the study’s results, the participants who used cannabis showed greater connectivity in areas of the brain associated with empathy (1).
“The greater FC [functional connectivity] showed by the users is associated with emotional representational areas and empathy-related regions,” stated the researchers in the abstract (1). “In addition, the differences in psychometric scores suggest that users have more empathic comprehension. These findings suggest a potential association between cannabis use, a greater comprehension of the other's affective state and the functional brain organization of the users. However, further research is needed to explore such association, since many other factors may be at play.”
One of the study’s authors Sarael Solórzano, senior researcher at the Instituto de Neurobiología at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, explained to Forbes some of the factors to take into consideration when examining the results (2). These included the low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potency of the cannabis used in the study, the narrow representation of all cannabis users, and the need to still take into account results from studies that demonstrate the negative effects of cannabis use (2).
References
- Olalde‐Mathieu, V. E.; Atilano‐Barbosa, D.; Angulo‐Perkins, A.; Licea‐Haquet, G. L.; Dominguez‐Frausto, C. A.; Barrios, F. A.; Alcauter, S. Empathy‐related differences in the anterior cingulate functional connectivity of regular cannabis users when compared to controls. Journal of Neuroscience Research 2023, 102 (1) DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25252.
- Adams, B. Do cannabis users feel more empathy? A new study aims to find out https://www.forbes.com/sites/benjaminadams/2023/11/22/do-cannabis-users-feel-more-empathy-a-new-study-aims-to-find-out/?sh=37540052243a (accessed Nov 22, 2023).
Ep 24, Part II: Data Transparency in Cannabis Testing with Yasha Khan
December 12th 2024Evan Friedmann and Yasha Kahn, co-founder of MCR Labs, discuss the discrepancies between current regulations and data on mycotoxins and pesticides in cannabis products. They highlight the need for updated regulations based on new data, emphasizing the importance of accurate testing and labeling. They also discuss the issue of result manipulation, particularly in THC content, and the need for public health officials to address this. Yasha suggests making testing data public to enhance oversight and suggests a national entity to manage this data for better consistency and public safety.
Ep 24, Part I: Data Transparency in Cannabis Testing with Yasha Khan
November 21st 2024Evan Friedmann interviews Yasha Khan, co-founder of MCR Labs, about his journey into the cannabis industry and his efforts to promote transparency and integrity in laboratory practices. Yasha discusses the origins of MCR Labs, which began in Massachusetts to meet the needs of the soon-to-be legal medical cannabis market. He explains the challenges faced, including result manipulation by labs and the impact on public health. Yasha's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) project aimed to gather testing data from 37 states, revealed significant discrepancies in potency and mold results. Despite some states' reluctance to share data, Yasha has made much of this data public, leading to collaborative research and publications on various aspects of cannabis testing.
