The Purple Smog test is designed to help the medicinal and recreational cannabis user understand how the herb is affecting them based on their unique genetic makeup. We look at almost 50 specific genetic markers that have been scientifically shown to correlate with such aspects of cannabis use such as THC metabolism, depression, sleep quality, dependence, memory impairment, motor skill impairment, cannabis induced psychosis, withdrawal, and craving.

Heres some of what your genetic information can tell you:

Paranoia/Psychosis

• Cannabis related psychosis/paranoia - Psychosis is a condition that affects the way your brain processes information, causing you to lose touch with reality. You might see, hear, or believe things that aren't real. Cannabis use, especially due to chronic overuse or excesive dosage, has been linked to the incidence of psychosis in cannabis exposed and non exposed population at 31% and 20%.  Paranoia can be a common manifestation of cannabis related psychosis. Research has shown that mutations in the genes P2RX7, DRD, and AKT1 are associated with an increased risk of mild or severe paranoia/psychosis related to cannabis consumption.

• Cannabis related psychosis with increased dosage - Higher potency of cannabis and ready access to THC has led to increasing dosages consumed. Excessive dosage can lead to symptoms of psychosis. A mutation in the AKT gene has been found to be associated with an increased risk of cannabis related psychosis with increased dosage.

• Age of onset of cannabis related psychosis - Cannabis related psychosis can present at different ages. A mutation in the BDNF gene has been found to be associated with onset of psychosis at earlier or later ages.

• Cannabis related neuroticism - Neuroticism, not to be confused with neurosis, is a personality trait associated with a long-term tendency to be in a negative or anxious emotional state.  While cannabis use can cause or enhance neuroticism in some users, research has shown that a mutation in the PENK gene has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of neuroticism in "cannabis dependent" people.

• Cannabis related schizotypy/schizophrenia - Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects less than one percent of the U.S. population. When schizophrenia is active, symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, trouble with thinking and lack of motivation. Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking or motor behavior. While schizophrenia has no single cause, cannabis use has been associated with earlier onset and worse symptoms. Research has shown that mutations in the genes AKT1, DRD2, and COMT have been associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia.

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THC levels/metabolism

• THC metabolism rates/plama levels - The main psychotropic cannabinoid, delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is mainly metabolized in the liver by the CYP family of enzymes to 11-OH-THC and other metabolites which are responsible for most of its psychoactive properties and for drug test detection. Mutated forms of these enzymes would result in lower THC metabolism rates. The ABCB1 gene mutatino has also been associated with differential plasma THC levels that contributes to its rate of clearance.

• Likelihood to pass cannabis drug test - The main psychotropic cannabinoid, delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is mainly metabolized in the liver by the CYP family of enzymes to metabolites which include 9-carboxy-THC which is used for drug test detection. Decreased CYP activity results in lower THC metabolism, lower metabolite production leading to decreased drug test detection probability (depending on test detection limits).

• Duration of THC high -The main psychotropic cannabinoid, delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is mainly metabolized in the liver by the CYP family of enzymes to the psychoactive metabolite 11-OH-THC and eventually clearance from the system. Mutated forms of these enzymes would result in lower metabolic conversion of THC, prolonging duration of THC psychoactive effect. ABCB1 has also been found to be associated with clearance rate of THC.

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Memory/Attention

• Cannabis effect on problem solving - Cannabis use has been found to potentially affect problem solving ability. Research has found a link between the CNR1 gene and the extent that cannabis use interferes with ability to complete a problem solving cognitive test.

• Cannabis effect on memory impairment - Cannabis use has been found to potentially affect problem memory and attention. Research has found a link between several genes (AKT1, DRD2, COMT, DBH) and the extent that cannabis use interferes with ability to complete cognitive tests measuring memory, attention, and processing speed.

• Cannabis effect on psychomotor control - Cannabis use has been found to potentially negatively affect psychomotor control, impairing movement and balance after cannabis use. The AKT1 gene has been found to be associated with this potential effect on motor control.

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Mental

• Response to cannabis consumption - Response to cannabis use can vary from user to user, with some reporting decreased or increased response as well as positive or negative response. This subjective response has been found to be associated with mutations in the genes CNR1, FAAH, and OPRM1.

• Happiness after cannabis consumption - Subjectively positive mood enhancement due to cannabis, such as euphoria, happiness, or mellow feeling have been associated with the COMT and FAAH genes, where research has shown that mutations of these genes affect responses to subjective tests scoring the spectrum of mood after cannabis or THC consumption.

• Cannabis related hallucination - One of the psychoactive effects of cannabis include altered perceptions, which can include hallucinations involving any of the senses (seeing, hearing, smelling, or feeling things that are not there.  Research has shown an association of several mutations in the CHRM3 gene which predisposes to cannabis related hallucinations.

• Cannabis related depression - While cannabis use has not been determined to be a causative agent of depression, there has been genetic links found between cannabis use and major depression. Research has shown that a mutation close to the NCAM1 gene has a significant relationship between cannabis use and major depressive disorder, although this mutation is relatively rare.

• Cannabis related impulsivity - Cognitive impulsivity, the inability to weigh the consequences of immediate and future events has been linked to cannabis use.  Research shows that a mutation in the DBH gene has been found to be associated with cannabis related impulsivity. 

• Cannabis related anger-hostility - Anger and hostility related to cannabis use has been seen among some users. Research shows that mutations in the CNR1 and HTR2B genes are associated with cannabis related anger and/or hostility.

• Cannabis related fatigue - Fatigue is a common side effect of cannabis consumption. Research shows that mutations in the CNR1 and FAAH genes have been associated with cannabis related fatigue.

• Cannabis related confusion/bewilderment - Confusion, bewilderment, and disorientation is a common side effect of cannabis consumption. Research shows that mutations in the CNR1 and FAAH genes have been shown to be associated with cannabis related confusion/bewilderment.

• Cannabis related tension/anxiety - Tension and anxiety can be a common side effect of cannabis consumption. Research shows that mutations in the CNR1 gene have been shown to be associated with cannabis related tension and/or anxiety.

• Cannabis related appetitive cues/satiety - Appetitive cues, such as for cannabis and food, are known to be related to cannabis consumption, as well as satiety which is the state of being satisfied and not wanting more.  Research has shown that mutations in the CNR1 and FAAH genes have been shown to be associated with cannabis related appetitive cues and satiety towards food and cannabis.​

 

Withdrawal/Craving

• Cannabis related withdrawal - Cannabis withdrawal s yndrome is one of the diagnostic criteria for Cannabis Use Disorder. Cannabis dependent users can experience withdrawal syndromes that can include symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, depression, crazving, sweating, and appetite changes. Cannabis withdrawal is usually not as severe as those experienced with chronic opiate or alcohol use. Several genes have been associated with cannabis withdrawal including ABCB1, FAAH, and CNR1.

• Cannabis related craving - Cannabis withdrawal can present symptoms of craving, which can contribute to frequency of cannabis use and independence. The CNR1 gene has been found to be associated with cannabis related craving.

• Cannabis related depression after abstinence - One of the possible predicted symptoms of cannabis withdrawal is depression. The CNR1 and FAAH genes have been found to be associated with cannabis withdrawal related depression.

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Physical

• Cannabis related brain volume decrease - A potential side effect of prolonged cannabis use is the decrease in volume of various areas of the brain. Research shows that several genes, including CNR1 and MAPK14, have been shown to be related to chronic cannabis use related decrease in various areas of the brain.

• Cannabis related brain perfusion - Brain perfusion is the blood flow to various areas of the brain. Research shows that cannabis use can affect this blood flow to the brain, and that a mutation in the COMT gene has been found to be associated cannabis related brain perfusion.

• Cannabis related brain response - Research has shown a mutation in the AKT1 gene is associated with varying responses to THC in a specific part of the brain - left inferior frontal gyrus, which is a key region for language processing, comprehension and production, and has also been associated with response inhibition.

• Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome - Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) can include extreme nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain from chronic and heavy THC exposure and is relieved by bathing in hot water or cessation of cannabis use. It has only recently been noticed because high potency THC products are now commonly available. 

• Cannabis related heart rate change - Cannabis consumption can affect the users heart rate while under the influence. Research shows that a mutation in the FAAH gene has been shown to be associated with this cannabis related change in heart rate.

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Dependence

• Cannabis dependence risk - Although cannabis use results in dependence less then other drugs, it is estimated that under 10% of people who try cannabis develop some form of dependence (compared to 15% for cocaine use, 24% for heroin use). While cannabis dependence and cannabis use disorder are clinically combined into a single disorder, we focus two different results for each. Cannabis dependence has been shown to be linked to genes DRD2, ANKK1, HES7, ABCB1, CNR1, FAAH, PENK, NRG1

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Cannabis Use

• Potential for Cannabis use - Several genes have been associated with increased odds of starting cannabis use. They are ANKK1, CNR1, AKT1, BDNF, and COMT.

• Cannabis use at early age - The onset of cannabis use at an early age (18-19, transition period from high school to college) has been found to be associated with a mutation in the CNR1 gene.

• Potential for Cannabis exposure - Research has shown that mutations in the CNR1 gene are associated with the potential for exposure to cannabis.

• "Cannabis Use Disorder" (CUD) - Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a diagnosis given for problematic marijuana use, thought to affect 10% of cannabis users. It recognizes the possiblity that negative impact of cannabis use can occur without dependence. Symptoms include (but not all need be present to determine CUD): continued use despite physical or psychological problemsor social or relationship problems, craving, difficulty reducing use, neglecting other activities, problems at work, school or home due to use, using in high risk situations, using more then intended, tolerance, withdrawal. While cannabis dependence and cannabis use disorder are clinically combined into a single disorder, we focus two different results for each. Several genes have been found to be associated with CUD including CNR1, FAAH, ANKK1, and AKT1.  Mild, moderate, and severe forms of CUD are recognized based on how many (and severe) symptoms present.

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Synthetic Cannabis Use Disorder

• Synthetic cannabis use disorder (SCUD) - Synthetic cannabinoids (i.e. K2, spice, synthetic marijuana are compounds that resemble and mimic the psychoactive component of cannabis delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but sometimes with more severe clinical outcomes or side effects. The CNR2 gene and UCP2 genes have been found to be associated with synthetic cannabis use disorder.

• Synthetic cannabis use disorder (SCUD) - psychotic symptoms - Synthetic cannabinoids (i.e. K2, spice, synthetic marijuana are compounds that resemble and mimic the psychoactive component of cannabis delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but sometimes with more severe clinical outcomes or side effects. The IL-17 gene has been found to be associated with psychotic symptoms associated with synthetic cannabis use.

• Synthetic cannabis use disorder (SCUD) - suicide - Synthetic cannabinoids (i.e. K2, spice, synthetic marijuana are compounds that resemble and mimic the psychoactive component of cannabis delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but sometimes with more severe clinical outcomes or side effects. The COMT gene has been found to be associated with suicidal tendencies with synthetic cannabis use.

• Synthetic cannabis use disorder (SCUD) - self mutilation - Synthetic cannabinoids (i.e. K2, spice, synthetic marijuana are compounds that resemble and mimic the psychoactive component of cannabis delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but sometimes with more severe clinical outcomes or side effects. The COMT gene has been found to be associated with risk of self mutilation with synthetic cannabis use.

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