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, in 91 male unaccompanied refugee minors from Syria and Afghanistan (mean age 17.4 years) living in group homes in Germany.
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.