Alterations in self-reported sensory gating and interoception in individuals frequently using cannabis

ABSTRACT

Background: Cannabis use is associated with altered processing of external (exteroceptive) and internal (interoceptive) sensory stimuli. However, little research exists on whether subjective experiences of these processes are altered in people who frequently use cannabis. Altered exteroception may influence externally oriented attention, whereas interoceptive differences have implications for intoxication, craving, and withdrawal states.

Objectives: The goal of the current study was to investigate subjective experiences of exteroceptive sensory gating and interoception in people frequently using cannabis. We hypothesized subjective impairments in sensory gating and elevations in affect-related interoceptive awareness; furthermore, such deviations would relate to cannabis use patterns.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of community adults 18–40 years old included 72 individuals (50% female) who used cannabis at least twice a week (not intoxicated during study) and 78 individuals who did not use cannabis (60% female). Participants completed the Sensory Gating Inventory and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness-2 surveys. People using cannabis completed surveys on cannabis use patterns. Analyses tested group differences and associations with cannabis use.

Results: People using cannabis reported impaired sensory gating (d = 0.37–0.44; all p values < 0.05) and elevations of interoceptive awareness related to detection and affect (d = 0.21–0.61; all p values < 0.05). Problematic cannabis use was associated with increased sensory gating impairments (r = 0.37, p < .05). Interoceptive awareness was unrelated to cannabis use variables.

Conclusion: These findings extend literature on subjective experiences of sensory processing in people using cannabis. Findings may inform inclusion of external attentional tendencies and internal bodily awareness in assessments of risk and novel treatment approaches.

KEYWORDS:

• Sensory gating
• exteroception
• interoception
• cannabis
• individual differences

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2024.2332602.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) under Grant R01 DA048012 (to WPH & BFO), National Institute of Mental Health (T32 MH103213 to WPH, ERL, & ENH), the Indiana University Faculty Research Support Program (WPH, ERL, BFO), the Indiana University Hutton Honors Undergraduate Research Grant (ERL), and faculty start-up funds (KMW).