Investigating Stress-related Mechanisms in the Laboratory and Real World in Individuals With Cannabis Use Disorder

Investigating Stress-related Mechanisms in the Laboratory and Real World in Individuals With Cannabis Use Disorder

This research project proposes a novel approach to elucidate the biological adaptations associated with Cannabis Use Disorder and to assess whether such adaptations are predictive of higher drug craving in response to both drug cues and stressors in both the laboratory and real-world, and higher relapse risk and drug use in the real world.

The intent of this study is to recruit 25 treatment-seeking individuals with Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and 25 light users (<1 joint/week) to complete three guided imagery conditions (stress, cannabis, neutral) in inpatient research units. During the guided imagery, repeated measurements of subjective (i.e., craving, negative affect), neuroendocrine (i.e., cortisol), and physiological variables (i.e., heart rate variability [HRV]) will be collected. Thereafter, individuals with CUD will begin one-month of drug counseling treatment coupled with surveys delivered via smartphones daily in the morning, evening, and at four random times during the day.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cannabis using men and women who:

• 1. Are fluent in English;

• 2. Are using cannabis at levels to match either of the two groups:

  a) Light Users: i. Cannabis using levels of < 1 joint/week ii. Has never met DSM-5 criteria for CUD or other substance use disorders. b) Individuals with Cannabis Use Disorder: i. Meets criteria for CUD based on the SCID (≤ 2 symptoms in past year); ii. Has a past-year cannabis use pattern of ≤3 times per week; iii.Do not meet criteria for any other substance use disorders other than mild Alcohol Use Disorder.

• 3. Provide a negative breathalyzer for alcohol and only positive for cannabis use at all appointments;

• 4. Can provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1. Meets current or past DSM-5 criteria for Axis I for major psychiatric disorders, other than depression or anxiety disorder;
• 2. Meets criteria for a current Substance Use Disorder other than Cannabis or mild Alcohol Use Disorder;
• 3. Has any significant current medical conditions requiring medication, including neurological, renal, thyroid, cardiovascular, liver, endocrine, or immune conditions;
• 4. Reports current use of medications/drugs that interfere with HPA axis response,
• 5. Are women who are pregnant or lactating, are peri-/post-menopausal, or those with hysterectomies;
• 6. Report current use of psychotropic drugs other than antidepressants.