西北大学研究人员近日揭示了大麻加重焦虑的神经学机制。1研究发现，大麻可能通过削弱大脑恐惧中枢（中央杏仁核）中体感素神经元的天然"制动"机制来诱发焦虑，这种效应在压力环境下尤为明显。1研究团队在小鼠实验中注射合成大麻素或安慰剂，同时让其暴露于捕食者气味等压力源，结果显示这些特定神经元的制动机制被破坏后，焦虑反应加剧。1
研究中，当体感素神经元被遗传沉默后，接受大麻的小鼠避开捕食者气味的可能性降低，说明抑制这些神经元能显著降低大麻相关的焦虑行为。1西北大学研究负责人Sachin Patel博士表示："较高剂量的大麻素和环境压力协同释放了中央杏仁核的'制动'，进而导致过度焦虑。"1该研究已于2026年10月2日发表在《自然通讯》期刊上。1
Researchers at Northwestern University have identified a molecular mechanism by which cannabis may amplify anxiety, particularly in stressful environments.1 The study reveals that the drug weakens the natural "braking" mechanisms that regulate somatostatin neurons in the central amygdala, a key fear processing region of the brain.1
In experiments with mice, scientists administered either synthetic cannabinoids or placebo while exposing the animals to predator odor to simulate environmental stress.1 When researchers genetically silenced the somatostatin neurons, mice that had received cannabinoids showed reduced avoidance of the predator scent, suggesting that these neurons normally play a protective role against anxiety.1 "Higher doses of cannabinoids combined with environmental stress synergistically released the 'brakes' on the central amygdala, leading to excessive anxiety," explained Dr. Sachin Patel.1
The findings, published in Nature Communications on October 2, 2026, emerge against a backdrop of rising cannabis use in the United States accompanied by increasing emergency department visits for adverse drug reactions.1
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