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Haller J. Herbal Cannabis and Depression: A Review of Findings Published over the Last Three Years. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:689. [PMID: 38931356 PMCID: PMC11206863 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Public perception contrasts scientific findings on the depression-related effects of cannabis. However, earlier studies were performed when cannabis was predominantly illegal, its production was mostly uncontrolled, and the idea of medical cannabis was incipient only. We hypothesized that recent changes in attitudes and legislations may have favorably affected research. In addition, publication bias against cannabis may have also decreased. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted a review of research studies published over the last three years. We found 156 relevant research articles. In most cross-sectional studies, depression was higher in those who consumed cannabis than in those who did not. An increase in cannabis consumption was typically followed by an increase in depression, whereas withdrawal from cannabis ameliorated depression in most cases. Although medical cannabis reduced depression in most studies, none of these were placebo-controlled. In clinical studies published in the same period, the placebo also ameliorated depression and, in addition, the average effect size of the placebo was larger than the average effect size of medical cannabis. We also investigated the plausibility of the antidepressant effects of cannabis by reviewing molecular and pharmacological studies. Taken together, the reviewed findings do not support the antidepressant effects of herbal cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozsef Haller
- Drug Research Institute, 1137 Budapest, Hungary;
- Department of Criminal Psychology, Faculty of Law Enforcement, Ludovika University of Public Service, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
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2
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Sainz-Cort A, Jimenez-Garrido D, Muñoz-Marron E, Viejo-Sobera R, Heeroma J, Bouso JC. The Effects of Cannabidiol and δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Social Cognition: A Naturalistic Controlled Study. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:230-240. [PMID: 35881851 DOI: 10.1089/can.2022.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Social cognition abilities such as empathy and the Theory of Mind (ToM) have been shown to be impaired in neuropsychiatric conditions such as psychotic, autistic, and bipolar disorders. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) seems to play a role in social behavior and emotional processing while it also seems to play a role in those neuropsychiatric conditions showing social cognition impairments. Main plant cannabinoids delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) modulate the ECS and, due to their opposite effects, have been proposed as both cause and treatment for neuropsychiatric-related disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of this study was to test the effects of THC and CBD on social cognition abilities in chronic cannabis users. Method: Eighteen members from a cannabis social club were tested for social cognition effects under the effects of different full spectrum cannabis extracts containing either THC, CBD, THC+CBD, or placebo in a naturalistic randomized double-blind crossover placebo-controlled study. Results: Results showed that participants under the effects of THC showed lower cognitive empathy when compared with the effects of CBD but not when those were compared with THC+CBD or placebo. Also, participants showed higher cognitive ToM under the effects of CBD when compared with the effects of placebo, but not when those were compared with THC or THC+CBD. However, we did not find differences on the emotional scales for empathy or ToM. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the interaction between the effects of THC and CBD and social cognition abilities in a naturalistic environment, which can be of special interest for the clinical practice of medical cannabis on neuropsychiatric disorders. We show for the first time that CBD can improve ToM abilities in chronic cannabis users. Our results might help to understand the role of the ECS in social cognition, and their association with psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia or autism. Finally, we demonstrate how reliable methodologies can be implemented in naturalistic environments to collect valid ecological evidence outside classic laboratory settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Sainz-Cort
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain
- International Center of Ethnobotanic Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain
- GH Medical, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Jimenez-Garrido
- International Center of Ethnobotanic Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Muñoz-Marron
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Viejo-Sobera
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jose Carlos Bouso
- International Center of Ethnobotanic Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain
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Johnstad PG. Unhealthy behaviors associated with mental health disorders: a systematic comparative review of diet quality, sedentary behavior, and cannabis and tobacco use. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1268339. [PMID: 38249418 PMCID: PMC10797041 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1268339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background There are well-established literatures documenting the associations between mental disorders and unhealthy behaviors such as poor diet quality, sedentary behavior, and cannabis and tobacco use. Few studies have attempted to understand the respective findings in light of each other, however. Objective The purpose of this review was to assemble comparable data for each behavior-disorder association and assess the associations in terms of their overall strength. The review aimed to include a representative, but not exhaustive, range of studies that would allow for explorative comparisons. Methods Eligible studies were identified via Pubmed searches and citation searching, restricted to publications no older than 2015 written in English. To obtain comparable data, only studies that reported findings as odds ratios were included, and risk of bias related to study samples, behavioral measurement disparities, and control variables was assessed via sensitivity analyses. Findings for each disorder were compared on the basis of different measures of central tendency. Results From 3,682 records, 294 studies were included. The review found evidence of associations between each of the four unhealthy behaviors and psychosis, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while personality disorder was only investigated in relation to cannabis and tobacco use. In overall comparison, the associations were generally of similar strength, and only the association between cannabis use and personality disorder was exceptional in terms of being significantly stronger than its counterparts across disorders and across behaviors. Analyses of bias risk identified some influence from behavioral measurement disparities and lack of adequate statistical control, but findings were generally robust across a range of sensitivity analyses. Conclusion This explorative and comparative review found that poor diet quality, sedentary behavior, and cannabis and tobacco use are about equally strongly associated with a range of different mental disorders. Given the general nature of these associations, we should probably understand them to reflect a general and shared etiology. However, the findings in this review should be regarded as tentative until confirmed by more comprehensive investigations.
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Groening JM, Denton E, Parvaiz R, Brunet DL, Von Daniken A, Shi Y, Bhattacharyya S. A systematic evidence map of the association between cannabis use and psychosis-related outcomes across the psychosis continuum: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Psychiatry Res 2024; 331:115626. [PMID: 38096722 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024]
Abstract
While the legal status and public perception of cannabis are currently changing in many countries, one of the important considerations from a public health viewpoint is its potential association with adverse health outcomes such as the development of psychosis. We conducted an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses using the AMSTAR-2 to assess the quality of included reviews. We further created an evidence map to visualize and facilitate the overview of the published evidence synthesis on the association between cannabis use and all psychosis-related outcomes and risk moderators in healthy, high-risk, and clinical populations. Overall, we found 32 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Based on a synthesis of current evidence, cannabis use is associated with subclinical psychosis states (psychotic-like experiences) and traits (schizotypal personality) in the healthy population, as well as earlier onset and development of psychosis. An association with the clinical-high-risk state for psychosis, attenuated psychosis symptoms and transition to psychosis in this population could not be confirmed. An association between cannabis use and psychosis outcomes in patients with psychotic disorder could solely be confirmed regarding relapse. Whether causal effects underlie those associations has not sufficiently been addressed in the evidence synthesis to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Manja Groening
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Denton
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Rimsha Parvaiz
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - David Losada Brunet
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Aisha Von Daniken
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Yiling Shi
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.
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Oscoz-Irurozqui M, Almodóvar-Payá C, Guardiola-Ripoll M, Guerrero-Pedraza A, Hostalet N, Salvador R, Carrión MI, Maristany T, Pomarol-Clotet E, Fatjó-Vilas M. Cannabis Use and Endocannabinoid Receptor Genes: A Pilot Study on Their Interaction on Brain Activity in First-Episode Psychosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087501. [PMID: 37108689 PMCID: PMC10142622 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of both cannabis use and genetic background has been shown in the risk for psychosis. However, the effect of the interplay between cannabis and variability at the endocannabinoid receptor genes on the neurobiological underpinnings of psychosis remains inconclusive. Through a case-only design, including patients with a first-episode of psychosis (n = 40) classified as cannabis users (50%) and non-users (50%), we aimed to evaluate the interaction between cannabis use and common genetic variants at the endocannabinoid receptor genes on brain activity. Genetic variability was assessed by genotyping two Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) at the cannabinoid receptor type 1 gene (CNR1; rs1049353) and cannabinoid receptor type 2 gene (CNR2; rs2501431). Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data were obtained while performing the n-back task. Gene × cannabis interaction models evidenced a combined effect of CNR1 and CNR2 genotypes and cannabis use on brain activity in different brain areas, such as the caudate nucleus, the cingulate cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex. These findings suggest a joint role of cannabis use and cannabinoid receptor genetic background on brain function in first-episode psychosis, possibly through the impact on brain areas relevant to the reward circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maitane Oscoz-Irurozqui
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Av Jordà 8, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Salud Mental Errenteria-Osakidetza, Av Galtzaraborda 69-75, 20100 Errenteria, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Carmen Almodóvar-Payá
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Av Jordà 8, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, Pabellón 11, Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Guardiola-Ripoll
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Av Jordà 8, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, Pabellón 11, Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Amalia Guerrero-Pedraza
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Av Jordà 8, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital Benito Menni CASM, C/Doctor Antoni Pujadas 38, 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noemí Hostalet
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Av Jordà 8, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raymond Salvador
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Av Jordà 8, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, Pabellón 11, Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Teresa Maristany
- Diagnostic Imaging Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation, Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Edith Pomarol-Clotet
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Av Jordà 8, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, Pabellón 11, Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Fatjó-Vilas
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Av Jordà 8, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, Pabellón 11, Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal, 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Britch SC, Walsh SL, Vickers-Smith R, Babalonis S, Slavova S. Cannabinoid Poisoning-Related Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Hospitalizations in Kentucky, 2017 to 2019. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 58:66-76. [PMID: 36453437 PMCID: PMC9890590 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2148478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Cannabis is the most used federally illicit substance. Due to widespread medicinal use and state-level legalization, public perceptions of cannabis have shifted toward the assumption that cannabis is safe. However, cannabinoids can cause adverse medical complications that may lead people to seek treatment. This study characterized cannabinoid poisoning-related medical encounters, poisoning involving cannabinoids and other psychoactive substances, and cannabinoid poisoning-related cardiac complications. Methods: Administrative billing data for emergency department visits and inpatient hospitalizations in acute care facilities with a discharge date from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 were used to characterize cannabinoid poisoning events in Kentucky, identified by ICD-10-CM diagnosis code T40.7X. Results: There were 1,490 encounters of cannabinoid poisoning; patients were primarily non-Hispanic White males, ages 15-44, who had Medicaid and lived in a metropolitan area. Of those, 31.21% involved poisoning with a second psychoactive substance, primarily stimulants and/or opioids, and 17.72% experienced a cardiac complication. Cannabinoid-polydrug poisoning was associated with inpatient treatment (χ2=199.18, p < 0.001) and cardiac complications (χ2=4.58, p < 0.001). Discussion and Conclusions: These results are consistent with other state-level data. Patients who were diagnosed with cannabis-polydrug poisoning, compared to cannabis alone poisoning, had greater odds of hospital admission and cardiac complications, and longer length of hospital stays. Scientific Significance: The health risks of cannabinoid use must be more broadly recognized, while timely and accurate data need to be shared to guide policies on cannabis access. Future research on cannabinoid poisoning should consider the involvement of other psychoactive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stevie C. Britch
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Sharon L. Walsh
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Rachel Vickers-Smith
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Shanna Babalonis
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Svetla Slavova
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Poli-Neto OB, Hallak JEC, Rosa-E-Silva JC, Crippa JADS. Is it the Ideal Time to Start Prescribing Cannabis Derivatives to Treat Endometriosis-associated Pain? REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GINECOLOGIA E OBSTETRICIA : REVISTA DA FEDERACAO BRASILEIRA DAS SOCIEDADES DE GINECOLOGIA E OBSTETRICIA 2022; 44:449-451. [PMID: 35697067 PMCID: PMC9948061 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Omero Benedicto Poli-Neto
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Jaime Eduardo Cecílio Hallak
- Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Julio Cesar Rosa-E-Silva
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - José Alexandre de Souza Crippa
- Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Kar SK, Menon V, Arafat SMY. Early augmentation in early intervention for mental illness: A potential turbo-boost? Asian J Psychiatr 2021; 63:102751. [PMID: 34271535 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sujita Kumar Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, UP, India
| | - Vikas Menon
- Dept of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, 605006, India.
| | - S M Yasir Arafat
- Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, 1340, Bangladesh
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