What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Endocannabinoid, Pain, Mental Health.

Adolescent study finds sex differences in endocannabinoids and puberty

Q: What did this research study find?

In **1,159 adolescents**, females had significantly lower measured concentrations than males across five *endocannabinoids*: AEA, 2-AG, PEA, OEA, and 2-OG.

Q: Where was this research published?

Published in Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology on October 15, 2026.

Sex differences in circulating endocannabinoid concentrations during adolescence: Associations with pubertal development.

Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology • October 15, 2026 • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

This observational study examined whether circulating endocannabinoid concentrations differ by sex and pubertal development in 1,159 adolescents. Females had significantly lower concentrations than males across five measured compounds: AEA, 2-AG, PEA, OEA, and 2-OG. The abstract does not report the size of these differences.

The association between sex and puberty differed for AEA, PEA, and OEA. Exploratory analyses also found sex-specific associations between endocannabinoid concentrations and self-reported pain, stress, internalizing, and attentional problems. These findings describe associations, not evidence that endocannabinoids cause changes in puberty or these experiences. This is an abstract-based summary; the abstract does not provide enough detail to assess measurement methods or other study limitations, and it cannot establish causation or clinical significance.

💡 Key Findings

In 1,159 adolescents, females had significantly lower measured concentrations than males across five endocannabinoids: AEA, 2-AG, PEA, OEA, and 2-OG.

Good

75%

Sex-by-puberty interactions were significant for AEA, PEA, and OEA.

Good

70%

Exploratory analyses found sex-specific associations between endocannabinoids and self-reported pain, stress, internalizing, and attentional problems; these associations do not establish cause and effect.

Moderate

50%

📄 Original Abstract

Endocannabinoids contribute to sex-related processes, including puberty. In 1,159 adolescents, females showed significantly lower concentrations than males across five endocannabinoids (AEA, 2-AG, PEA, OEA, and 2-OG). Sex-by-puberty interactions were significant for AEA, PEA, and OEA. Exploratory analyses revealed sex-specific associations between endocannabinoids and self-reported pain, stress, internalizing, and attentional problems.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Published: October 15, 2026
PMID: 42881231
DOI: 10.1038/s41386-026-02574-0

Authors (8)

Julia M Evanski Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Tristin Smith Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Adriene M Beltz Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Esmeralda Hidalgo-Lopez Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Christel M Portengen Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
+3 more authors