The Relationship Between Cannabinoids and Neural Oscillations: How Cannabis Disrupts Sensation, Perception, and Cognition
Shariful A. Syed, Ashley M. Schnakenberg Martin, Jose A Cortes-Briones, Patrick D. Skosnik
Clinical EEG and Neuroscience November 25, 2022 DOI: 10.1177/15500594221138280 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Both chronic and acute cannabinoid exposure disrupts neural oscillations in humans, particularly in the gamma and theta frequency ranges. |
Abstract
Disruptions in neural oscillations are believed to be one critical mechanism by which cannabinoids, such as delta-9-tetrahyrdrocannabinol (THC; the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis), perturbs brain function. Here we briefly review the role of synchronized neural activity, particularly in the gamma (30–80 Hz) and theta (4–7 Hz) frequency range, in sensation, perception, and cognition. This is followed by a review of clinical studies utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) which have demonstrated that both chronic and acute cannabinoid exposure disrupts neural oscillations in humans. We also offer a hypothetical framework through which endocannabinoids modulate neural synchrony at the network level. This also includes speculation on how both chronic and acute cannabinoids disrupt functionally relevant neural oscillations by altering the fine tuning of oscillations and the inhibitory/excitatory balance of neural circuits. Finally, we highlight important clinical implications of such oscillatory disruptions, such as the potential relationship between cannabis use, altered neural synchrony, and disruptions in sensation, perception, and cognition, which are perturbed in disorders such as schizophrenia.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence | 2004 | Review | |
| Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. General (historical and pharmacological review) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychiatric effects of cannabis | 2001 | Review | |
| Beyond THC: The New Generation of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs | 2011 | Review | |
| Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug | 2006 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Motion and form perception in healthy individuals with adolescent cannabis use Frontiers in Psychiatry August 17, 2026
- Regulation of neural connectivity and oscillations by cannabinoids: A review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 7, 2026
- Theta–gamma coupling as a ubiquitous brain mechanism: implications for memory, attention, dreaming, imagination, and consciousness Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences October 1, 2024
Cites 14
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- Altered Fronto-Occipital Connectivity during Visual Selective Attention in Regular Cannabis Users Psychopharmacology November 25, 2020
- Cannabis users exhibit increased cortical activation during resting state compared to non-users Neuroimage June 9, 2018
- Cannabinoid receptor-mediated disruption of sensory gating and neural oscillations: A translational study in rats and humans. Neuropharmacology June 2018
and 9 more in the library