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Cannabis use is associated with low plasma endocannabinoid Anandamide in individuals with psychosis

Anahita Bassir Nia, C. Gibson, Sharron A Spriggs, Samantha Jankowski, Daniel R. DeFrancisco, Amy J. Swift, C. Perkel, I. Galynker, Chandrashekhar Honrao, A. Makriyannis, Y. Hurd

Journal of Psychopharmacology January 12, 2023 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221148604 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational cross-sectional study Peer reviewed
Sample size 83
Population Individuals admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit with psychotic presentations
Measures Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
Topics Cannabis
Key findings Cannabis-positive participants had lower plasma anandamide (AEA) levels than cannabis-negative participants, a difference that remained after adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and other drug use. The authors suggest this is consistent with cannabis's reported suppressive effects on the endocannabinoid system in healthy individuals and call for further study of its clinical significance.

Abstract

Background: Cannabis use suppresses the endocannabinoid system in healthy individuals. However, the association between cannabis use with the endocannabinoid system is understudied in individuals with psychosis despite the high rate of cannabis use in these individuals.

Methods: We enrolled 83 individuals who were admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit with psychotic presentations, and measured their plasma levels of main endocannabinoids, Anandamide (AEA) and 2-Acylglycerol (2-AG), and endocannabinoid related compounds, Palmitoylethanolamine, and N-oleoylethanolamine. Cannabis use was assessed with urine toxicology and frequency of cannabis use was assessed using self-reported questionnaires. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to assess the severity of psychotic symptoms.

Results: Overall, we had 38 individuals in cannabis positive group (CN+) and 45 individuals in cannabis negative group (CN−). Compared to CN−, CN+ group had lower plasma levels of AEA, which remained significant after controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and use of other drugs.

Conclusion: Cannabis use is associated with low plasma AEA levels in individuals with psychosis, which is in the same line with reported suppressive effects of cannabis on the endocannabinoid system in healthy individuals. Further studies are needed to investigate the clinical significance of this finding.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... 2011 Observational cross-sectional study n = 148
Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students 2006 Cross-sectional survey n = 149
Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents 2020 Cross-sectional survey
User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire 2010 Cross-sectional survey n = 600
Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... 2012 Cross-sectional survey n = 337

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