Facial emotion recognition deficits in abstinent cannabis dependent patients

Cannabis is clearly the most popular illicit drug in North America, Europe and in other parts of the world. Evidence is accumulating for the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in emotional processing. However, only few studies examined emotional processing in chronic, heavy cannabis users and these studies were performed in cannabis dependent patients who were abstinent for 12 to 48hours. The aim of this study was to investigate facial emotion identification and discrimination abilities in patients with cannabis dependence who were abstinent for at least 1month.

Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry - November 13, 2014 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Adem Bayrakçi, Engin Sert, Nabi Zorlu, Almila Erol, Aybala Sariçiçek, Levent Mete Source Type: research