Kurt Tunagur EM, Yazici AB, Guzel D, Tunagur MT, Ermis C, Suda MA, Yazici E. Investigating associations between appetite-regulating hormones, aggression and craving in males with cannabis use disorder.
Drug Alcohol Depend 2022;
238:109577. [PMID:
35905593 DOI:
10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109577]
[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: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Aggression and craving are common and important withdrawal symptoms in cannabis use disorder. The present study investigated the association between appetite-regulating hormones, aggression, and craving during cannabis withdrawal syndrome (CWS).
METHODS
Fifty-six male subjects diagnosed with cannabis withdrawal and 45 healthy males were included in the study. The Substance Craving Scale, the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were implemented at baseline. Blood samples were drawn to measure ghrelin, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin levels in the serum. Then, the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm (PSAP) was applied. Bloodwork and psychometric assessment procedures were re-implemented after the PSAP. At the 7-day follow-up, psychometric assessments and hormone measurements were repeated in the CWS group.
RESULTS
Baseline serum ghrelin and adiponectin levels were lower in the CWS group than controls at baseline. After PSAP, there was a significant increase in ghrelin levels of patients with CWS compared to controls. Patients yielded higher aggression scores, while there was no significant correlation between hormonal changes and PSAP findings. At 7-day follow, ghrelin and resistin levels significantly increased, while serum leptin decreased in patients with CWS. Finally, there was a positive association between craving and resistin levels.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results present the changes in appetite-regulating hormones. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to shed light on neuroendocrinological aspects of cannabis withdrawal.
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