Title: Amotivational Syndrome and Marijuana Use | Psychology Today
Headings: Amotivational Syndrome and Marijuana Use
Gary Wenk Ph.D.
Amotivational Syndrome and Marijuana Use
Why does this syndrome only develop in some long-term users?

Content: Then, in 2006, a drug called Acomplia was introduced in the UK market for the treatment of obesity. Acomplia was invented based upon the recognition that marijuana induces “the munchies,” a strong craving for high-calorie foods. This well-known side effect of marijuana indicated that the brain’s feeding center possessed endogenous marijuana receptors. Acomplia was designed to block these receptors, and thus block cravings for high-calorie food. Acomplia worked very well as an anti-obesity drug but it had a very nasty side effect: it caused severe depression and suicidal thoughts. The drug was withdrawn from the market. The actions of Acomplia taught neuroscientists an important lesson about the role of our brain’s endogenous marijuana system: We need it to function normally in order to experience everyday pleasures. If the endogenous marijuana receptors are blocked 24-hours each day, day after day, we lose the ability to experience pleasure and become apathetic and depressed.