Neuromodulation for Cannabis Use: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Addiction Medicine
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Cannabis use disorder is a significant public health concern.
• Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of cannabis use is crucial for developing effective treatments.
• Neuromodulation techniques offer potential avenues for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current literature on neuromodulation techniques in individuals with cannabis use.
• To investigate whether cannabis use impacts cortical excitation and inhibition relevant to neuromodulation.
• To assess the effects of neuromodulation on cannabis craving and use patterns.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, OVID Medline, and PsycINFO databases.
• Inclusion of studies investigating neuromodulation (TMS, tDCS) in cannabis users.
• Analysis of findings related to cortical excitability, inhibition, craving, and use patterns.

Main Results:

• Eight studies utilized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and two used Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS).
• TMS findings suggest reduced cortical inhibition (decreased short interval intracortical inhibition) in cannabis users.
• Multiple TMS sessions showed a trend towards reduced cannabis use, but lacked statistical significance; results for craving and tDCS effects were mixed.

Conclusions:

• Cannabis use may be associated with altered cortical inhibition, particularly in short-interval intracortical inhibition.
• Current evidence on the efficacy of neuromodulation for reducing cannabis craving and use is limited and often contradictory.
• Further research with larger sample sizes and varied neuromodulation protocols is warranted.