Mark Viner, MD, is a psychiatrist primarily based in Reno, Nevada and has intensive expertise in schizophrenia, Clozapine, psychopharmacology, and suicide analysis. He’s an energetic member of organizations targeted on hashish drugs, together with the Scientific Society of Hashish Clinicians and the Worldwide Alliance of Medicinal Cannabinoids.
In a video interview with Psychiatric Instances, Viner stated 1 of essentially the most debated subjects in psychiatry is the connection between hashish and schizophrenia. Each situations peak in prevalence across the identical age—between ages 22 and 25. This simultaneous onset makes it tough to determine a transparent cause-and-effect relationship. He additionally famous that each hashish use dysfunction and schizophrenia share chromosomal loci, suggesting a deeper genetic hyperlink that warrants additional investigation.
Not like hallucinogens, which don’t share this genetic or temporal overlap with schizophrenia, hashish has distinctive interactions with psychiatric issues. Viner believes that additional analysis ought to concentrate on the function of hashish in dissociative issues, significantly in relation to PTSD and trauma. Since hashish can induce delicate dissociation, understanding its potential therapeutic purposes for trauma-related situations may very well be beneficial.
Past PTSD, he emphasised that hashish interacts with key mind areas, such because the hypothalamus and basal ganglia, that are closely concerned in regulating sleep, urge for food, and motor capabilities. Consequently, he sees potential for cannabis-based therapies in a variety of psychiatric and neurological issues, together with sleep issues, feeding and consuming issues, sexual dysfunction, and elimination issues.
He shared analysis on hashish and motor issues, significantly tic issues and catatonia. He harassed that the motor-related results of hashish will not be widely known however may provide new remedy pathways for situations with vital movement-related signs.
That is half 3 of a multipart sequence. Components 1 and 2 are posted to the Psychiatric Instances web site.
Dr Viner is a working towards doctor who has been working with psychiatric sufferers within the state of Nevada for over 25 years. He served as a scientific professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences on the College of Nevada Faculty of Drugs.