Study Links Cannabis-Induced Anxiety to Activation of Central Amygdala Neurons
A new study published in Nature Communications identifies a specific brain mechanism that may explain why cannabis use sometimes triggers anxiety and panic. Researchers at Northwestern University found that cannabinoids activate somatostatin-producing neurons in the central amygdala, a region responsible for regulating stress responses. In mouse experiments, higher doses of synthetic cannabinoids led to increased freezing behavior and avoidance of threats, effects that were reduced when these neurons were inhibited. This suggests that cannabis can loosen the brain's natural 'brake' on anxiety, particularly when combined with environmental stress.
