Do AKT1, COMT and FAAH influence reports of acute cannabis intoxication experiences in patients with first episode psychosis, controls and young adult cannabis users?
Translational Psychiatry May 12, 2020 C. Hindocha, D. Quattrone, T. Freeman et al.
Heavy cannabis use is linked to psychosis, but it is unclear which users are susceptible. This study examined whether variations in three genes—AKT1, COMT, and FAAH—affect cannabis experiences, including psychotic-like and euphoric effects. Data came from 720 participants: first-episode psychosis patients, controls, and young adult cannabis users. Psychotic-like experiences were more common in patients, while euphoric experiences were more common in young users. However, none of the genetic variations were associated with these experiences, nor did they interact with participant group. The findings contradict previous research suggesting these genes modulate cannabis's psychotogenic effects.