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Sainz-Cort A, Martín-Islas M, Jimenez-Garrido D, López-Navarro M, Oña G, Muñoz-Marron E, Heredia L, Gil-Pérez M, Torrente M, Vicens P, Bouso JC. Validation of the Spanish version of the multifaceted empathy test: comparison between cannabis use effects and controls in social cognition. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2024:00004850-990000000-00144. [PMID: 38935429 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While social cognition is shown to be impaired in several mental disorders, the effects of cannabis on social cognition are still not clear. Past studies have used the multifaceted empathy test (MET) to study social cognition. This study aims to test the validity of the MET Spanish version and to evaluate the effects of cannabis use on social cognition. METHODS In total 116 participants from a Cannabis Social Club (CSC) completed the MET and the reading the mind in the eyes test (RMET) under the effects of cannabis and were compared to 86 university students (control group). Internal consistency and convergent validity were assessed. Cognitive empathy (CE) and emotional empathy (EE) were tested in both groups. RESULTS The MET CE scale shows low internal consistency, while the EE scale shows high internal consistency. Items showed similar difficulty for both groups. Cannabis users showed deficient overall emotional recognition, with reduced scores associated with positive stimuli. Overall scores for EE were similar for both groups, but the experimental group scored lower with negative stimuli when compared to controls. CONCLUSION This study validates the MET Spanish version for its use in future studies. Results confirmed deficient emotional recognition in cannabis users and a dampened reaction to negative stimuli for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Sainz-Cort
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)
- International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Martín-Islas
- International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Jimenez-Garrido
- International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam López-Navarro
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Genís Oña
- International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain
- Medical Anthropology Research Center (MARC), Universitat Rovira i Virgili
| | | | - Luis Heredia
- Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, CRAMC (Research Center for Behavior Assessment), Tarragona
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
- Department of Research Methods and Diagnosis in Education (MIDE), Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, Logroño
- Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Mercè Gil-Pérez
- Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Margarita Torrente
- Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, CRAMC (Research Center for Behavior Assessment), Tarragona
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Paloma Vicens
- Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, CRAMC (Research Center for Behavior Assessment), Tarragona
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - José Carlos Bouso
- International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain
- Medical Anthropology Research Center (MARC), Universitat Rovira i Virgili
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Heal DJ, Gosden J, Smith SL. A critical assessment of the abuse, dependence and associated safety risks of naturally occurring and synthetic cannabinoids. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1322434. [PMID: 38915848 PMCID: PMC11194422 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1322434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Various countries and US States have legalized cannabis, and the use of the psychoactive1 and non-psychoactive cannabinoids is steadily increasing. In this review, we have collated evidence from published non-clinical and clinical sources to evaluate the abuse, dependence and associated safety risks of the individual cannabinoids present in cannabis. As context, we also evaluated various synthetic cannabinoids. The evidence shows that delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and other psychoactive cannabinoids in cannabis have moderate reinforcing effects. Although they rapidly induce pharmacological tolerance, the withdrawal syndrome produced by the psychoactive cannabinoids in cannabis is of moderate severity and lasts from 2 to 6 days. The evidence overwhelmingly shows that non-psychoactive cannabinoids do not produce intoxicating, cognitive or rewarding properties in humans. There has been much speculation whether cannabidiol (CBD) influences the psychoactive and potentially harmful effects of Δ9-THC. Although most non-clinical and clinical investigations have shown that CBD does not attenuate the CNS effects of Δ9-THC or synthetic psychoactive cannabinoids, there is sufficient uncertainty to warrant further research. Based on the analysis, our assessment is cannabis has moderate levels of abuse and dependence risk. While the risks and harms are substantially lower than those posed by many illegal and legal substances of abuse, including tobacco and alcohol, they are far from negligible. In contrast, potent synthetic cannabinoid (CB1/CB2) receptor agonists are more reinforcing and highly intoxicating and pose a substantial risk for abuse and harm. 1 "Psychoactive" is defined as a substance that when taken or administered affects mental processes, e.g., perception, consciousness, cognition or mood and emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Heal
- DevelRx Limited, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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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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Sainz-Cort A, Martín-Islas M, Oña G, Jimenez-Garrido D, López-Navarro M, Muñoz-Marron E, Viejo-Sobera R, Bouso JC. Spanish versions and validation of a series of rating scales and visual analogue scales to assess the subjective effects of cannabis. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2023:00004850-990000000-00108. [PMID: 37982285 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is being legalized for medical and recreational purposes all around the world. However, the understanding of the psychological effects of cannabis is still limited, and it has been previously linked to mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Lately, new scales have been created and adapted to measure its psychological effects. The aim of this study is to create Spanish versions of some of these scales and test their psychometric characteristics. One hundred sixteen participants were recruited from Cannabis Social Clubs (CSC) in Barcelona, Spain. Participants under the effects of their own cannabis completed the Cannabis Experience Questionnaire-modified version (CEQ-mv), Addiction Research Centre Inventory-18 (ARCI-18), Psychotomimetic States Inventory (PSI) and Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Questionnaires were completed in the CSC, providing a naturalistic setting for the study. Exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency were analyzed. PSI was reduced from a 6-factor to a 4-factor model with adequate to low reliability, ARCI-18 was reduced from a 3-factor to a 2-factor model with good reliability, and VAS were reduced from a 4-factor to a 3-factor model, also with good reliability. These questionnaires showed adequate reliability and can be used in future studies to test the subjective effects of cannabis in clinical and naturalistic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Sainz-Cort
- Faculty of Health Sciences. Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)
- International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona
| | - Marta Martín-Islas
- International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona
| | - Genís Oña
- International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Medical Anthropology Research Center (MARC), Tarragona, Spain
| | - Daniel Jimenez-Garrido
- International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona
| | - Miriam López-Navarro
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Jose Carlos Bouso
- International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Medical Anthropology Research Center (MARC), Tarragona, Spain
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Rossi GN, Rocha JM, Osório FL, Bouso JC, Ona G, Silveira GDO, Yonamine M, Bertozi G, Crevelin EJ, Queiroz ME, Crippa JAS, Hallak JEC, Dos Santos RG. Interactive Effects of Ayahuasca and Cannabidiol in Social Cognition in Healthy Volunteers: A Pilot, Proof-of-Concept, Feasibility, Randomized-Controlled Trial. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2023; Publish Ahead of Print:00004714-990000000-00152. [PMID: 37335211 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000001691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serotonergic hallucinogens and cannabinoids may alter the recognition of emotions in facial expressions (REFE). Cannabidiol (CBD) attenuates the psychoactive effects of the cannabinoid-1 agonist tetrahydrocannabinol. Ayahuasca is a dimethyltryptamine-containing hallucinogenic decoction. It is unknown if CBD may moderate and attenuate the effects of ayahuasca on REFE. PROCEDURES Seventeen healthy volunteers participated in a 1-week preliminary parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial for 18 months. Volunteers received a placebo or 600 mg of oral CBD followed by oral ayahuasca (1 mL/kg) 90 minutes later. Primary outcomes included REFE and empathy tasks (coprimary outcome). Tasks were performed at baseline and 6.5 hours, 1 and 7 days after the interventions. Secondary outcome measures included subjective effects, tolerability, and biochemical assessments. RESULTS Significant reductions (all P values <0.05) only in reaction times were observed in the 2 tasks in both groups, without between-group differences. Furthermore, significant reductions in anxiety, sedation, cognitive deterioration, and discomfort were observed in both groups, without between-group differences. Ayahuasca, with or without CBD, was well tolerated, producing mainly nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort. No clinically significant effects were observed on cardiovascular measurements and liver enzymes. CONCLUSIONS There was no evidence of interactive effects between ayahuasca and CBD. The safety of separate and concomitant drug intake suggests that both drugs could be applied to clinical populations with anxiety disorders and in further trials with larger samples to confirm findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giordano Novak Rossi
- From the Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | - Juliana Mendes Rocha
- From the Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | | | | | | | | | - Mauricio Yonamine
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo
| | | | | | | | - José Alexandre S Crippa
- From the Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
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Li L, Fan B, Kong Z, Zhang Y, Zhao M, Simal-Gandara J, Wang F, Li M. Short-term exposure of Cannabidiol on Zebrafish (Danio Rerio): Reproductive Toxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27792-7. [PMID: 37222891 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27792-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a medically active component of hemp, is a popular ingredient in healthcare and personal-care products. The increasing demand for CBD and the legalization of hemp growth may promote chronic exposure of non-target organisms to CBD. In this study, the reproductive toxicity of CBD was investigated on adult zebrafish. With CBD treatment, female zebrafish spawned less with higher natural mortality and malformation rates. Both female and male zebrafish showed a decreased gonadosomatic index with an increased percentage of pre-mature oocytes and sperm and had an increased hepatosomatic index with decreased content of vitellogenin. The value of estrogen/testosterone (E2/T) decreased in female zebrafish and increased in male zebrafish. Sex hormone synthesis genes were downregulated in ovaries and upregulated in testicles, except for cyp11a, in contrast to the other genes. Apoptosis-related genes were upregulated in the zebrafish brain, gonad, and liver. These results show that CBD might damage the reproductive function by inducing an apoptotic response, further inhibiting zebrafish reproductive ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Bei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqiang Kong
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengying Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Jesus Simal-Gandara
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Science, Universidade de Vigo, 32004, Ourense, Spain
| | - Fengzhong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Minmin Li
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China.
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Oliveira BSAD, Milanezi DS, Gonzaga PDV, Detoni FR, Soriano RN. The gut microbiota in neurodegenerative diseases: revisiting possible therapeutic targets for cannabidiol. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12172. [PMID: 36544841 PMCID: PMC9761731 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is essential to improve the efficacy of treatments and, consequently, patients' lives. Unfortunately, traditional therapeutic strategies have not been effective. There is therefore an urgent need to discover or develop alternative treatment strategies. Recently, some pieces of the puzzle appear to emerge: on a hand, the gut microbiota (GM) has gained attention since intestinal dysbiosis aggravates and generates some of the pathological processes of AD; on the other hand, cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid, attenuates intestinal inflammation and possesses neuroprotective properties. Intestinal dysbiosis (increased population of proinflammatory bacteria) in AD increases plasma lipopolysaccharide and Aβ peptide levels, both responsible for increasing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). A leaky BBB may facilitate the entry of peripheral inflammatory mediators into the central nervous system and ultimately aggravate neuroinflammation and neuronal death due to chronic activation of glial cells. Studies investigating the GM reported a strong relationship between intestinal dysbiosis and AD. In this review we conjecture that the GM is a promising therapeutic target for CBD in the context of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Debora Sandrini Milanezi
- Department of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, MG, 35032-620, Brazil
| | - Priscila do Val Gonzaga
- Department of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, MG, 35032-620, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Rabello Detoni
- Department of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, MG, 35032-620, Brazil
| | - Renato Nery Soriano
- Division of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Basic Life Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, MG, 35020-360, Brazil,Corresponding author.
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Khayat W, Lehmann C. The Endocannabinoid System: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Coagulopathies. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12060541. [PMID: 35736474 PMCID: PMC9228226 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12060541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal blood coagulation or coagulopathy is a common manifestation of many pathological conditions. It occurs when there is an imbalance between the activities of the coagulation system and the fibrinolytic system, leading to excessive or impaired intravascular blood clot formation, which can disturb blood flow causing ischemia or hemorrhage in the affected tissues. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated blood coagulation abnormalities in association with cannabinoid use, suggesting the involvement of the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) in modulating blood coagulation. However, the evidence in the literature has been controversial on whether cannabinoids promote or inhibit blood coagulation. The ECS has been extensively studied in recent years for its potential as a therapeutic target for many diseases. This review provides a brief introduction to the ECS and discusses the reported anticoagulatory and procoagulatory effects of various cannabinoids, highlighting some possible mechanisms that might underlie the observed effects. Understanding the coagulatory effects of cannabinoids and the interaction between the coagulation system and the ECS is vital for developing novel therapeutics for coagulopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wujood Khayat
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah 21423, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (W.K.); (C.L.)
| | - Christian Lehmann
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Correspondence: (W.K.); (C.L.)
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