Alexithymia and psychopathological dimensions in First-Episode Psychosis: Comparative patterns in natural cannabis versus synthetic cannabinoid users
Journal of Psychiatric Research June 19, 2025 Valerio Ricci, Ilenia di Muzio, Mancusi Gianluca et al. 2 citations
Synthetic cannabinoid users experiencing first-episode psychosis show more severe positive psychotic symptoms, persistent aberrant salience, and limited recovery of alexithymia over six months compared to natural cannabis users and non-users. Dissociative symptoms are more prominent in both user groups, with synthetic cannabinoid users showing minimal improvement. Negative symptoms are higher in non-users but decrease across all groups. Alexithymia correlates with specific aberrant salience subscales, particularly Feelings of Increased Significance and Sense Sharpening. These findings indicate synthetic cannabinoids are associated with more severe and persistent psychotic symptoms and emotional dysregulation than natural cannabis.