Studies focusing on neural oscillations have also contributed key findings in regards to alcohol and cannabis misuse across all ages. Both acute and chronic cannabis use have been linked with decreased spectral power in the gamma range during tasks that utilize 40 Hz auditory click train paradigms8,9. Further, some work has shown duration of use effects, suggesting that the long-term chronic use of cannabis may be critical to the decline in gamma oscillations9. Other studies have looked at induced theta oscillations as a biomarker for alcoholism, due to the consistent decrease in power found in alcohol users over multiple studies10–13. Studies of binge drinking in adults have revealed reduced alpha peak frequency compared to light drinkers, leading to interest in alpha oscillations in the context of prolonged alcohol use and ultimate transition into an alcohol use disorder14. Importantly, visual oscillatory activity is among the most reliable15,16 and highly studied oscillations, however such activity remains understudied in substance use disorders.
