[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by dr wadd

The jury is still out as to whether cannabis is actually addictive. All of the evidence thus far indicates that there is no development of physiogical addiction, it is still a matter of debate whether there is psychological dependence.

This study indicates that there does appear to be a physical component to cannabis addiction:

Brain Res Bull. 2003 Jul 15; 61(2): 125-8. Related Articles, Links


Neuromorphological background of cannabis addiction.

Wenger T, Moldrich G, Furst S.

Department of Human Morphology and Developmental Biology, Semmelweis University, Tuzolto u. 58, PO Box 95, Budapest, Hungary. wenger@ana2.sote.hu

The expression of central cannabinoid (CB1) receptors in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) containing neurones was demonstrated. Co-localisation was present in different brain areas responsible for reward-related mechanisms. The immunohistochemical investigations have shown that co-localisation is present in parts of mesolimbic-mesocortical dopaminergic system like nucleus accumbens (Nacb), ventral tegmental area (VTA), in the striatum, pyriform cortex, respectively. The results suggest a functional role of CB1 receptors in cannabis addiction by acting directly on reward-related structures.

PMID: 12831997 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]