How Genetically Inclined Are You To Use Cannabis

Could your DNA reveal your Cannabis Use?

It's not as recreational as you think. Similar to our exploration of last week's Discovery Trait (risk-taking behavior), cannabis use may actually be a genetically influenced trait, as suggested previously by twin studies. Like risk-taking behavior, cannabis use is related to mental health conditions such as substance abuse and schizophrenia.

In this paper, a genome-wide analysis with a very large population was used to find genetic differences between those who have used or are using cannabis from those who have never used it before. The investigators found 16 regions of the genome associated with cannabis use, most of which had not been linked to cannabis previously. They also report that the combination of all of the identified gene loci explain 11% of the variation in those who use cannabis and those who do not. Of the identified genes, the CADM2 gene's association with cannabis use is noteworthy: it has also been previously linked to phenotypes such as alcohol consumption, risk-taking behavior, and having a carefree personality. In addition, NCAM1, another gene that was found to be associated with cannabis use, is responsible for the creation of neurons and the excitation of neurons. Like CADM2, NCAM1 is also associated with markers of substance abuse as well as such mental conditions as schizophrenia.

Read more about this research here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30150663

Although this study did not distinguish between regular cannabis users and experimental users, it suggests a genetic basis for why some people are inclined to use cannabis and why others do not.

So how genetically inclined are you to use cannabis? Check Genomelink to find out!