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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Differences in cannabis-related experiences between patients with a first episode of psychosis and controls
Sonija LuziConrad IyegbeAnna KolliakouJennifer O'connorRobin M. MurraySaffron HomayounCraig MorganMichael T. LynskeyValeria MondelliDiana PrataArianna MarconiSimona A. StiloM. Di FortiC. La CasciaP. Gurillo MuñozFrancesca BianconiPaola DazzanMatteo BonomoAnthony S. Davidsubject
AdultMalePsychosismedicine.medical_specialtyExacerbationPopulationMarijuana SmokingSociodemographic datapsychosiPsychotic Disorder03 medical and health sciencesYoung Adult0302 clinical medicineexperienceSurveys and QuestionnairesmedicineSettore MED/48 -Scienze Infermierist. e Tecn. Neuro-Psichiatriche e Riabilitat.HumansSurveys and QuestionnaireCannabiYoung adulteducationPsychiatrySettore MED/25 - PsichiatriaApplied PsychologyCannabisCannabis; Cannabis Experience Questionnaire; experiences; first episode of psychosis; psychosis; Adult; Cannabis; Female; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Marijuana Smoking; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychotic Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Applied Psychology; Psychiatry and Mental Healthfirst episode of psychosiFirst episodePsychiatric Status Rating Scaleseducation.field_of_studybiologyCannabis usePsychiatric Status Rating Scalemedicine.diseasebiology.organism_classification030227 psychiatryPsychotic DisordersPsychiatry and Mental HealthCannabis Experience QuestionnaireLinear ModelsLinear ModelFemaleCannabisPsychology030217 neurology & neurosurgeryClinical psychologyHumandescription
BackgroundMany studies have reported that cannabis use increases the risk of a first episode of psychosis (FEP). However, only a few studies have investigated the nature of cannabis-related experiences in FEP patients, and none has examined whether these experiences are similar in FEP and general populations. The aim of this study was to explore differences in self-reported cannabis experiences between FEP and non-psychotic populations.MethodA total of 252 subjects, who met International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 criteria for FEP, and 217 controls who reported cannabis use were selected from the Genetics and Psychosis (GAP) study. The Medical Research Council Social Schedule and the Cannabis Experience Questionnaire were used to collect sociodemographic data and cannabis use information, respectively.ResultsBoth ‘bad’ and ‘enjoyable’ experiences were more commonly reported by FEP subjects than controls. Principal components factor analysis identified four components which explained 62.3% of the variance. Linear regression analysis on the whole sample showed that the type of cannabis used and beliefs about the effect of cannabis on health all contributed to determining the intensity and frequency of experiences. Linear regression analysis on FEP subjects showed that the duration of cannabis use and amount of money spent on cannabis were strongly related to the intensity and frequency of enjoyable experiences in this population.ConclusionsThese results suggest a higher sensitivity to cannabis effects among people who have suffered their first psychotic episode; this hypersensitivity results in them reporting both more ‘bad’ and ‘enjoyable’ experiences. The greater enjoyment experienced may provide an explanation of why FEP patients are more likely to use cannabis and to continue to use it despite experiencing an exacerbation of their psychotic symptoms.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-01-01 |