Endocannabinoid concentrations in hair and mental health of unaccompanied refugee minors
Observational studyHumans
- Design
- Observational study
- Subjects
- 91 male unaccompanied refugee minors from Syria and Afghanistan, mean age 17.4, living in group homes in Leipzig, Germany
- Dose used in the study
- No palmitoylethanolamide was given; hair levels were measured
- Duration
- 3 cm scalp-near hair segments, reflecting about 3 months
- What was measured
- Hair anandamide, 2-AG, OEA, SEA and palmitoylethanolamide by LC-MS/MS; questionnaires on traumatic life events, PTSD, depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, self-efficacy and prosocial behaviour
What the authors reported
Associations between hair lipids and psychological symptoms were weak and inconsistent; only 2-AG correlated positively with depression. OEA, SEA and PEA were positively related to prosocial behaviour and self-efficacy. Overall, the results fail to show a clear pattern between hair endocannabinoids and mental health in this group.
Limits of this study
A cross-sectional study in one specific group of 91 adolescents; correlations cannot show cause, and PEA was measured, not given. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Source
PubMed 32353812 · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104683
Entry checked against the abstract on PubMed on 2026-09-22. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.