Savoring as an intervention for cannabis use: acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary results

Abstract

Although savoring appears protective against cannabis problems, researchers have yet to apply it to reduce cannabis-related harms. Study I surveyed a large (N = 557, M age = 36.9, 50.1% Male, 73% White) sample who rated a hypothetical savoring intervention as feasible and acceptable; those who savored more reported fewer cannabis problems, less use, and less intoxication. Study II, a pilot experiment (N = 26, M age = 18, 34.6% Male, 42% White), randomly assigned participants to either a week-long savoring intervention (n = 15) or control group (n = 11). Savorers reported moderate to large decreases across time in cannabis use, amount consumed, and intoxication as well as increases in happiness and negative cannabis expectancies. Both studies suggest that savoring can reduce use and protect against negative outcomes. These preliminary findings suggest that further work to examine the efficacy of savoring as an intervention for substance use appears warranted.