Identifying EEG markers related to acute cannabis consumption: A systematic review.
C Schiemer, Mathew J Summers, Kayla B Stefanidis
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106092 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 16 |
| Population | Participants in studies of acute non-synthetic cannabis administration |
| Duration | Less than 6 hours post-administration |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | EEG Neurocognition |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Acute cannabis administration reduces P3 amplitude and alters theta frequency band power, suggesting EEG measures may indicate recent cannabis consumption. |
Abstract
Electroencephalography (EEG) has potential to provide a sensitive measure of the acute neurophysiological response to cannabis administration. As delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; the psychoactive constituent of cannabis) can induce transient neurocognitive impairments that differ as a function of tolerance and dose, understanding the neural profile related to intoxication would be of great benefit in the wake of increasing recreational and medicinal use. Accordingly, the present systematic review examined the current research literature related to acute cannabis administration and EEG measures. Peer-reviewed articles published from 2000 were assessed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies that administered non-synthetic cannabis, containing THC (orally or inhaled) and reported differences in EEG outcomes within the acute time frame (<6 hours post-administration) as compared to baseline or placebo, were eligible for inclusion. A total of 16 studies were eligible for inclusion, of which 11 reported differences in the amplitude/latency of event-related potentials (ERPs) and 9 reported changes in frequency band power. Of the ERPs, the P3 was identified as a potential indicator of recent cannabis consumption, as demonstrated by decreased P3 amplitude across various doses (generally exhibiting small-to-moderate magnitude effects where effect sizes were reported). Oscillatory activity in the theta frequency band power range (typically 4-7 Hz) was impacted following cannabis administration, with some support for a dose-dependent change in power. The present results highlight the potential utility of some EEG measures as markers of recent cannabis consumption, although great heterogeneity in participant characteristics and reported data limits conclusions from these results. It is also evident that EEG changes in highly tolerant user groups (such as those who use cannabis medicinally), require further exploration.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effects of cannabis use on outcomes of psychotic disorders: systematic review People with psychotic disorders, as examined in 13 longitudinal studies | 2008 | Systematic review | |
| The Impact of Cannabis Use on Cognitive Functioning in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Meta-analysis of Existing Findings and New Data in a First-Episode Sample Patients with established schizophrenia (meta-analysis: 572) and patients with... | 2010 | Meta-analysis and cross-sectional observational study | n = 700 |
| Medicinal cannabis for psychiatric disorders: a clinically-focused systematic review | 2020 | Systematic review | |
| Neuroimaging in cannabis use: a systematic review of the literature Cannabis users and controls in neuroimaging studies | 2009 | Systematic review | |
| Human Laboratory Studies on Cannabinoids and Psychosis. Healthy human subjects and individuals with schizophrenia | 2016 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cites 19
- Neurophysiological and subjective profile of marijuana with varying concentrations of cannabinoids Behavioural Pharmacology September 1, 2005
- Smoked Cannabis' Psychomotor and Neurocognitive Effects in Occasional and Frequent Smokers Journal of Analytical Toxicology March 4, 2015
- Neurophysiological functioning of occasional and heavy cannabis users during THC intoxication Psychopharmacology October 5, 2011
- Sex differences in acute cannabis effects revisited: Results from two randomized, controlled trials Addiction Biology December 22, 2021
- Synthetic Cannabinoids: A Pharmacological and Toxicological Overview. The Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology August 1, 2022
and 14 more in the library