Massive study found that cannabis addiction could be linked to genetics
\nThe study also found a link between that same gene and schizophrenia
\nA look at the best performing cannabis stocks on the ASX<\/p>\n
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After analysing more than one million people\u2019s genomes, researchers have found that people\u2019s genetics could be linked to cannabis addiction.<\/p>\n
According to the Yale University study<\/strong>, this pattern holds across racial groups, and that people with cannabis-use disorder often find it difficult to quit the drug, instead needing higher and higher doses to feel an effect.<\/p>\n Dr Daniel Levey,<\/strong> a neurologist at Yale, told\u00a0Nature<\/em> the findings show that use of cannabis \u201ccould have substantial public health risks if the usage increases.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDrug taking and addiction can be influenced both by people\u2019s genes and by their environment, which makes them extremely difficult to study,\u201d says Levey.<\/p>\n The same study also found that the stretches of DNA that cause cannabis addiction are the same ones associated with schizophrenia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n According to Marta Di Forti, a psychiatrist-scientist at King\u2019s College London<\/em>, cannabis use \u201cis the most preventable risk factor\u201d for schizophrenia.<\/p>\n King also added that the type of genetic data examined in the study could be used in future studies to identify people with the risk of developing psychiatric disorders.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile back home, the Australian Medical Association (AMA)<\/strong> has provided a submission to the Senate opposing any moves to legalise recreational cannabis, saying it could normalise the use of marijuana and have risky health effects.<\/p>\n \u201cLegalising cannabis for recreational purposes sends the wrong signal to the public, and especially to young Australians, that cannabis use is not harmful,\u201d said AMA President, Professor Steve Robson.<\/p>\n Robson pointed out that there has been an increase in acute cannabis poisoning post-legalisation in the US, Canada, and Thailand.<\/p>\n \u201cWe also know there are already many Australians suffering detrimental health outcomes caused by recreational cannabis use.<\/p>\n \u201cWe see poor mental health outcomes from cannabis use including anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, memory loss and an increased incidence of schizophrenia.<\/p>\n \u201cCannabis use can lead to physical ill-health conditions such as bronchitis or cancer, cardiovascular system damage, and impaired reaction time and brain function,\u201d Robson said.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how the ASX weed stocks have performed, sorted by winners over the past few weeks.<\/p>\n WordPress Tables Plugin<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Emyria (ASX:EMD)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n MDMA\u00a0specialist\u00a0Emyria has been rising since securing an ethics endorsement for MDMA from its\u00a0Authorised Prescriber (AP)<\/strong> application.<\/p>\n The\u00a0National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)\u00a0<\/em>ethics committee\u00a0has endorsed Emyria in support of its AP applications for the lead psychiatrists of its future\u00a0MDMA-assisted therapy program.<\/p>\n The approval is the first stage of a two-step evaluation, where final approval is still required from\u00a0Australia\u2019s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), <\/em>which is still in progress.<\/p>\n If secured, the approval may allow Emyria to become one of the first Australian companies to offer broader options for PTSD patients who have exhausted standard care options.<\/p>\n Additionally, Emyria announced that Dr Alistair Vickery<\/strong> has retired from the board, and will shift his expertise to concentrate on clinical service expansion, particularly as Emyria advances its MDMA-assisted therapy programs.<\/p>\n Dr Stewart Washer will move to non-executive chairman from executive chairman, and Dr Karen Smith will move to non-executive director.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Zelira (ASX:ZLD)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n During the quarter, Zelira received the first close of the US$3.25 million investment made by the Forman Family Foundation<\/em> and Malik Majeed<\/em> as co-partners into the HOPE SPV<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The receipt of these funds will enable the company to commence the FDA trial process with its CRO iNGENU for the HOPE Autism Spectrum Disorder program.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are currently focused on the completion of the Target Product Profile (TPP) which is a key initial step in the FDA clinical trial process,\u201d said Zelira\u2019s CEO, Dr Oludare Odumosu.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Arovella Therapeutics (ASX:ALA)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Arovella\u2019s CEO and MD, Dr Michael Baker<\/em>, presented at the Monsoon Twilight Investor Briefing<\/strong> in Melbourne on November 21.<\/p>\n Baker presented key pre-clinical data for Arovella\u2019s iNKT cell therapy platform<\/strong>, and described how Arovella\u2019s technology provides important advantages over existing T-cell therapies.<\/p>\n Dr Baker also said the company\u2019s platform has the potential to be applied to both blood cancers and solid tumours.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Neurotech (ASX:NTI)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Apart from receiving $3.17m in tax rebate for its R&D activities, Neurotech also held a Q&A session on its Phase I\/II PANDAS\/PANS Clinical Trial<\/strong> results.<\/p>\n Earlier, Neurotech announced that the results showed \u201cclinically significant and meaningful improvements in clinical function, with excellent safety and tolerability over 12 weeks of daily oral treatment \u201d.<\/p>\n The trial studied 64 children diagnosed with Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS)<\/em>, and Paediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS).<\/em><\/p>\n The study has essentially re-validated the effectiveness of the company\u2019s biopharmaceutical therapy, NTI164,<\/strong> in treating complex neuro-inflammatory disorders.<\/p>\n NTI164 is a a biopharmaceutical drug that is derived from low THC medicinal cannabis.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n BPH Global (ASX:BP8)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The stem cell focused company rose after making changes to its board.<\/p>\n At the company\u2019s AGM held on November 21, Huang Qing was not reelected as a director of the company.<\/p>\n In addition, Mathew Leonard has been appointed as managing director.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The post Weed Week: Massive study links cannabis to genetics and schizophrenia, and the best ASX weed stocks right now<\/a> appeared first on Stockhead<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"AMA opposes recreational cannabis<\/h2>\n
To ASX Weed Stocks \u2026<\/h2>\n