Summary: A study investigated how cannabis use influences metabolomic patterns linked to psychotic-like experiences in adolescents. Blood samples revealed that non-cannabis users showed inflammatory metabolic changes associated with hallucinations, while cannabis users exhibited shifts in energy-related metabolites tied to brain ketogenesis.
These findings suggest that cannabis use may trigger distinct molecular pathways in psychotic-like experiences. Researchers also identified unique metabolomic patterns related to different symptom dimensions, such as paranoia and dissociation.
While preliminary, the study offers insights into tailored approaches for understanding and treating psychiatric conditions. The results highlight the potential of precision psychiatry to uncover the biological underpinnings of mental health disorders.
Key Facts: Cannabis users and non-users show different metabolomic patterns linked to psychotic-like experiences.
Non-users displayed inflammatory changes, while cannabis users exhibited energy metabolism shifts.
Findings suggest unique metabolic signatures for specific psychotic symptom dimensions.
Source: University of Eastern Finland
An exploratory study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland has examined metabolomic patterns associated with psychotic-like experiences in adolescents, highlighting the influence of cannabis use.
These findings suggest that specific metabolite patterns associated with psychotic-like experiences may vary between cannabis users and non-users, potentially reflecting different underlying molecular pathways in psychotic-like experiences.The study analysed blood samples from 76 adolescent outpatients experiencing depression, using mass spectrometry to assess metabolite concentrations. The researchers identified variations in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress, specifically in relation to hallucinations.Interestingly, among adolescents who did not use cannabis, these experiences also correlated with inflammatory metabolic changes. In contrast, cannabis-related alterations were primarily tied to metabolites involved in alternative energy pathways in the brain, particularly those related to ketogenesis.Although these findings are preliminary, they suggest molecular differences in the psychotic-like experiences of adolescents with and without a history of cannabis use.The results were published in Translational Psychiatry. “It appears that different metabolomic changes are associated with psychotic-like experiences if the person has used cannabis,” notes Karoliina Kurkinen, a Doctoral Researcher at the University of Eastern Finland and the first author of the study.“These alterations don’t necessarily indicate future psychosis or a psychotic disorder. However, it will be interesting to see if these early metabolomic changes […]
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