TY - JOUR
T1 - Cannabinoid use and self-injurious behaviours: A systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Escelsior, Andrea
AU - Belvederi Murri, Martino
AU - Corsini, Giovanni Pietro
AU - Serafini, Gianluca
AU - Aguglia, Andrea
AU - Zampogna, Domenico
AU - Cattedra, Simone
AU - Nebbia, Jacopo
AU - Trabucco, Alice
AU - Prestia, Davide
AU - Olcese, Martina
AU - Barletta, Elena
AU - Pereira da Silva, Beatriz
AU - Amore, Mario
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was developed within the framework of the DINOGMI Department of Excellence of MIUR 2018?2022 (law 232; 2016).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/1/1
Y1 - 2021/1/1
N2 - Background: The increasing availability of high-potency cannabis-derived compounds and the use of synthetic cannabinoids may be responsible for severe side effects like cognitive impairment, psychosis or self-injurious behaviours (SIB). In particular, SIB like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and deliberate self-harm (DSH) raise growing concern as a possible consequence of cannabis use. However, the research to date has not addressed the relationship between cannabinoid use and SIB systematically. Methods: We conducted a systematic review on PubMed up to March 2020, using search terms related to cannabinoids and SIB. Results: The search yielded a total of 440 abstracts. Of those, 37 studies published between 1995 and 2020 were eligible for inclusion. Cannabinoid use was significantly associated with SIB at the cross-sectional (OR=1.569, 95%CI [1.167–2.108]) and longitudinal (OR=2.569, 95%CI [2.207–3.256]) level. Chronic use, presence of mental disorders, depressive symptoms, emotional dysregulation and impulsive traits might further increase the likelihood of self-harm in cannabis users. Synthetic cannabinoids may trigger highly destructive SIB mainly through the psychotomimetic properties of these compounds. Conclusion: Cannabinoid use was associated with an increased prevalence of self-injury and may act as a causative factor with a duration-dependent manner. Emotional regulation and behavioural impulsivity functions might crucially moderate this association. Future studies should further investigate the mechanisms underlying this association, while exploring potential therapeutic applications of substances modulating the endocannabinoid system.
AB - Background: The increasing availability of high-potency cannabis-derived compounds and the use of synthetic cannabinoids may be responsible for severe side effects like cognitive impairment, psychosis or self-injurious behaviours (SIB). In particular, SIB like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and deliberate self-harm (DSH) raise growing concern as a possible consequence of cannabis use. However, the research to date has not addressed the relationship between cannabinoid use and SIB systematically. Methods: We conducted a systematic review on PubMed up to March 2020, using search terms related to cannabinoids and SIB. Results: The search yielded a total of 440 abstracts. Of those, 37 studies published between 1995 and 2020 were eligible for inclusion. Cannabinoid use was significantly associated with SIB at the cross-sectional (OR=1.569, 95%CI [1.167–2.108]) and longitudinal (OR=2.569, 95%CI [2.207–3.256]) level. Chronic use, presence of mental disorders, depressive symptoms, emotional dysregulation and impulsive traits might further increase the likelihood of self-harm in cannabis users. Synthetic cannabinoids may trigger highly destructive SIB mainly through the psychotomimetic properties of these compounds. Conclusion: Cannabinoid use was associated with an increased prevalence of self-injury and may act as a causative factor with a duration-dependent manner. Emotional regulation and behavioural impulsivity functions might crucially moderate this association. Future studies should further investigate the mechanisms underlying this association, while exploring potential therapeutic applications of substances modulating the endocannabinoid system.
KW - Cannabis
KW - Deliberate self-harm
KW - Marijuana
KW - Non-suicidal self injury
KW - Novel psychoactive substances
KW - Synthetic cannabinoid
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.020
DO - 10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.020
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32956965
AN - SCOPUS:85091082248
VL - 278
SP - 85
EP - 98
JO - Journal of Affective Disorders
JF - Journal of Affective Disorders
SN - 0165-0327
ER -