Synthetic cannabinoid users scored higher on neuroticism and psychotic-like personality traits than natural cannabis users
Chronic synthetic cannabinoid users showed higher neuroticism, lower agreeableness and extraversion, and greater schizotypal symptoms than both natural cannabis users and non-users.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
SC users scored higher than natural cannabis users and non-users on neuroticism and schizotypal symptoms (SPQ-B), but lower on agreeableness and extraversion. SC users also had lower conscientiousness than non-users. Higher openness and lower conscientiousness predicted schizotypy for both SC and natural cannabis users.
Key Numbers
42 SC users, 39 natural cannabis users, 47 non-users. Mean age 26; 23 females, 105 males. SC users scored significantly higher on neuroticism and SPQ-B and lower on agreeableness and extraversion.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional comparison of 42 chronic synthetic cannabinoid users, 39 natural cannabis users, and 47 non-using controls (mean age 26). Assessments included Big Five personality inventory, Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief, depression and anxiety scales.
Why This Research Matters
Synthetic cannabinoids are associated with more severe psychiatric outcomes than natural cannabis. Understanding personality profiles may help identify individuals at greater risk.
The Bigger Picture
Whether these personality differences predispose people to use synthetic cannabinoids or result from SC use cannot be determined from this cross-sectional design, but either way they indicate SC users may be a more psychiatrically vulnerable group.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design; cannot determine causation direction; participants excluded if they had mental disorder diagnoses, which may underestimate psychotic proneness; self-report measures.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do these personality traits precede SC use or develop as a consequence?
- ?Would prospective studies show personality changes with SC exposure?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- SC users scored significantly higher on schizotypal personality traits than both comparison groups
- Evidence Grade:
- Small cross-sectional study with self-report measures; cannot determine causation direction.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2020.
- Original Title:
- Personality Traits and Psychotic Proneness Among Chronic Synthetic Cannabinoid Users.
- Published In:
- Frontiers in psychiatry, 11, 355 (2020)
- Authors:
- Cohen, Koby(4), Rosenzweig, Shiri, Rosca, Paola(4), Pinhasov, Albert, Weizman, Abraham, Weinstein, Aviv
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02475
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Are synthetic cannabinoid users different from regular cannabis users?
In this study, yes. SC users showed more neurotic, less agreeable, and more schizotypal personality profiles. However, whether these traits lead people to choose synthetics or develop from using them cannot be determined.
What are schizotypal traits?
Schizotypal traits include unusual perceptual experiences, odd thinking patterns, and social anxiety. They exist on a spectrum with psychotic disorders. Elevated schizotypal traits may indicate increased vulnerability to psychotic experiences.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02475APA
Cohen, Koby; Rosenzweig, Shiri; Rosca, Paola; Pinhasov, Albert; Weizman, Abraham; Weinstein, Aviv. (2020). Personality Traits and Psychotic Proneness Among Chronic Synthetic Cannabinoid Users.. Frontiers in psychiatry, 11, 355. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00355
MLA
Cohen, Koby, et al. "Personality Traits and Psychotic Proneness Among Chronic Synthetic Cannabinoid Users.." Frontiers in psychiatry, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00355
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Personality Traits and Psychotic Proneness Among Chronic Syn..." RTHC-02475. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/cohen-2020-personality-traits-and-psychotic
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.