A recent study has determined that individuals are less inclined to use cannabis when they have activities planned for the next day. This trend aligns with findings from other research, particularly highlighting a significant decrease in usage before job interviews and while caring for children. Nonetheless, individuals who felt that using cannabis in various situations was more acceptable were also more inclined to think about consuming the drug.
Those who use cannabis at least once a month might partake in the drug before low-pressure activities. But what happens when there are more serious obligations, like looking after children?
This question was explored in a recent study by a diverse group of researchers from the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment and Brown University. The study examined how responsibilities for the next day impacted cannabis consumption decisions among 177 adults.
Participants assessed their potential cannabis use based on varying prices associated with activities they had scheduled for the following day, which included work, leisure, and caregiving.
The study results, published in September, indicated that individuals are less likely to consume cannabis when they have something planned ahead, reflecting findings from previous studies, particularly noting the greatest drop in usage before job interviews and while caring for children.
However, those who rated the acceptability of cannabis use in different scenarios higher were also more likely to consider using it.
“One key insight from addictive disorders is that individuals often continue using substances even when it leads to negative consequences for them,” said Michael Amlung, the associate director for training at the Cofrin Logan Center at the KU Life Span Institute. “This could signify a potentially more concerning pattern of substance use.”
The American Psychiatric Association identifies the choice to use substances despite hindering personal responsibilities as a sign of substance use disorder.
Amlung noted that previous studies hadn’t really examined the reasons behind why individuals might limit their cannabis use before an activity.
“We found themes that were quite distinct, and no one has truly investigated the specific reasons why people might decrease their usage ahead of significant plans,” Amlung explained.
The research revealed trends among those who did not change their cannabis consumption, such as believing that cannabis wouldn’t disrupt their responsibilities, or that it was socially acceptable, which led them to maintain their usage habits.
Amlung also pointed out a considerable group of participants felt that cannabis offered benefits, such as improving sleep quality or alleviating anxiety, making them more likely to consume it. However, he stressed that scientific evidence concerning cannabis’s effectiveness for sleep improvement or anxiety reduction is mixed.
The study featured a diverse group of researchers, including graduate and undergraduate students, alongside faculty and a postdoctoral fellow. Amlung highlighted the uncommon aspect of undergraduates being listed as authors in a published research paper, crediting them for their dedication and contributions to the study.
“This exemplifies one of the core values of KU, which is actively involving undergraduate students in scientific investigation,” Amlung observed.
He advised that students aspiring to enter research or clinical science should gain a comprehensive understanding of the field.
“The most effective way for undergraduates to gain this insight,” Amlung remarked, “is through hands-on research experience.”
The research titled “Exploring the suitability of cannabis use with next-day responsibilities: A behavioral-economic and qualitative study” was published in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.
