Gender differences of cannabis smoking on serum leptin levels: population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serum leptin levels in cannabis smokers.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population-based study of participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic data and the use of psychoactive substances. Leptin levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit.

RESULTS: Of the 911 participants, 6.7% were identified as cannabis smokers and had significantly lower leptin levels (p = 0.008). When stratified by gender, there was a significant decrease in leptin levels among male smokers (p = 0.039).

CONCLUSION: Cannabis smoking was linked to leptin levels in men, suggesting that the response to biological signals may be different between men and women.