Frequency Of Cannabis Use Research Articles

14. Frequency of Cannabis-Use, Neurocognitive Performance and Functioning in Clinical High-Risk Participants From the NAPLS-3 Cohort: Moderate Use is Associated With Better Performance and Functioning

14. Frequency of Cannabis-Use, Neurocognitive Performance and Functioning in Clinical High-Risk Participants From the NAPLS-3 Cohort: Moderate Use is Associated With Better Performance and Functioning

The relationship between depressed affect, parental monitoring, and sex on cannabis use among American Indian youth.

American Indian (AI) adolescents report higher rates of cannabis use than national US adolescents. Previous study examined interactive relationships between depressed affect and family factors on AI adolescent alcohol use. These factors have not been investigated for cannabis use. We examined whether parental monitoring dampened risk for cannabis use due to depressed affect, and potential moderation by sex. We measured cannabis use, depressed affect, parental monitoring, and sex among reservation area AI youth among students in grades 7-12 attending 45 schools. We used censor-inflated regression models to identify parental monitoring as a moderator of the relationship between depressed affect and cannabis use. In the logistic portion of censor-inflated models, level of depressed affect and parental monitoring significantly related to last 30-day cannabis use. Higher levels of parental monitoring at lower levels of depressed affect related to lower likelihood of cannabis use. Female students had greater likelihood of endorsing cannabis use at higher levels of depressed affect. In the linear portion of the censor-inflated regression models, sex and level of parental monitoring significantly related to cannabis use frequency. Male students endorsed more frequent cannabis use while higher levels of parental monitoring related to lower frequency of use. Parental monitoring may dampen the effect of depressed affect on cannabis use among AI youth on reservations. Future interventions should foster skill-building prevention efforts directed at coping with depression, along with parental training for effective monitoring. Special attention to AI female adolescents may be indicated.

Temporal stability of neurophysiological drug cue reactivity before and after acute stress in cannabis users: A test of incentive sensitization

BackgroundGiven increasing rates of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), objective measures are needed that can reliably index risk and track cannabis use progression. Based on incentive sensitization models, neurophysiological reactivity to cannabis cues, measured with the electroencephalography-recorded late positive potential (LPP), may be a candidate biomarker. To serve as such, the cannabis cue-elicited LPP must demonstrate adequate retest reliability and sensitivity to cannabis use change. Moreover, incentive sensitization theory suggests that state-level contextual variables, such as acute stress, can impact drug cue reactivity. Therefore, the present study evaluated the three-month retest reliability of the cannabis cue-elicited LPP, recorded before and after a laboratory stress induction, as well as its sensitivity to cannabis use change. MethodCannabis and neutral cue-elicited LPPs were measured in 102 adults reporting frequent cannabis use (86 % with current CUD) before and after an acute stress induction at two lab visits three-months apart. Physiological and subjective stress reactivity were also measured. ResultsManipulation checks confirmed expected cannabis cue and acute stress effects. Cannabis cue-elicited LPP amplitudes showed significant three-month retest reliability of poor-to-fair through moderate-to-good size. Change in cannabis use frequency significantly predicted change in cannabis cue-elicited LPP amplitudes, particularly at post-stress. ConclusionConsistent with incentive sensitization models of addiction, the cannabis cue-elicited LPP demonstrated trait-like, moderate three-month stability and responsivity to change in cannabis use behavior. Greater predictive validity of the post-stress LPP may arise through kindling effects of acute stress on incentive salience-related neural activity, which should be explored in future studies.

Investigating TSPO levels in occupation-related posttraumatic stress disorder

Microglia are immune brain cells implicated in stress-related mental illnesses including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Their role in the pathophysiology of PTSD, and on neurobiological systems that regulate stress, is not completely understood. We tested the hypothesis that microglia activation, in fronto-limbic brain regions involved in PTSD, would be elevated in participants with occupation-related PTSD. We also explored the relationship between cortisol and microglia activation. Twenty participants with PTSD and 23 healthy controls (HC) completed positron emission tomography (PET) scanning of the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO), a putative biomarker of microglia activation using the probe [18F]FEPPA, and blood samples for measurement of cortisol. [18F]FEPPA VT was non-significantly elevated (6.5–30%) in fronto-limbic regions in PTSD participants. [18F]FEPPA VT was significantly higher in PTSD participants reporting frequent cannabis use compared to PTSD non-users (44%, p = 0.047). Male participants with PTSD (21%, p = 0.094) and a history of early childhood trauma (33%, p = 0.116) had non-significantly higher [18F]FEPPA VT. Average fronto-limbic [18F]FEPPA VT was positively related to cortisol (r = 0.530, p = 0.028) in the PTSD group only. Although we did not find a significant abnormality in TSPO binding in PTSD, findings suggest microglial activation might have occurred in a subgroup who reported frequent cannabis use. The relationship between cortisol and TSPO binding suggests a potential link between hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal-axis dysregulation and central immune response to trauma which warrants further study.

Cannabis use and psychotic disorders in diverse settings in the Global South: findings from INTREPID II.

Cannabis use has been linked to psychotic disorders but this association has been primarily observed in the Global North. This study investigates patterns of cannabis use and associations with psychoses in three Global South (regions within Latin America, Asia, Africa and Oceania) settings. Case-control study within the International Programme of Research on Psychotic Disorders (INTREPID) II conducted between May 2018 and September 2020. In each setting, we recruited over 200 individuals with an untreated psychosis and individually-matched controls (Kancheepuram India; Ibadan, Nigeria; northern Trinidad). Controls, with no past or current psychotic disorder, were individually-matched to cases by 5-year age group, sex and neighbourhood. Presence of psychotic disorder assessed using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry and cannabis exposure measured by the World Health Organisation Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Cases reported higher lifetime and frequent cannabis use than controls in each setting. In Trinidad, cannabis use was associated with increased odds of psychotic disorder: lifetime cannabis use (adj. OR 1.58, 95% CI 0.99-2.53); frequent cannabis use (adj. OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.10-3.60); cannabis dependency (as measured by high ASSIST score) (adj. OR 4.70, 95% CI 1.77-12.47), early age of first use (adj. OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.03-3.27). Cannabis use in the other two settings was too rare to examine associations. In line with previous studies, we found associations between cannabis use and the occurrence and age of onset of psychoses in Trinidad. These findings have implications for strategies for prevention of psychosis.

Monitoring adherence and abstinence of cannabis use disorder patients: Profile identification and relationship with long-term treatment outcomes

BackgroundPatients with cannabis use disorder (CUD) show heterogeneous sociodemographic and consumption patterns. Although previous studies, focused on identifying subgroups of CUD patients using input variables, have yielded useful results for planning individualized treatments, no published research has analyzed the profiles of CUD patients according to their therapeutic progress. This study therefore aims to identify subgroups of patients using adherence and abstinence indicators and to explore whether these profiles are associated with sociodemographic characteristics, consumption variables, and long-term therapeutic outcomes. MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study with a multisite sample of 2055 CUD outpatients who were beginning treatment. The study monitored patient data at two-year follow-up. We conducted latent profiles analysis on the appointment attendance ratio and percentage of negative cannabis tests. ResultsA three profile solution emerged: i) moderate abstinence/moderate adherence (n = 997); ii) high abstinence/moderate adherence (n = 613); and iii) high abstinence/high adherence (n = 445). The study found the most marked differences at the beginning of treatment for education level (chi2 (8) = 121.70, p < .001), source of referral (chi2 (12) = 203.55, p < .001), and frequency of cannabis use (chi2 (10) = 232.39, p < .001). Eighty percent of patients from the “high abstinence/high adherence” group were relapse-free at two year follow-up. This percentage decreased to 24.3 % in the “moderate abstinence/moderate adherence” group. ConclusionsResearch has shown adherence and abstinence indicators to be useful for identifying subgroups of patients with different prognoses regarding long-term success. Recognizing the sociodemographic and consumption variables associated with these profiles at the beginning of treatment could help to inform the design of more individualized interventions.

Changes in frequency of cannabis use among people with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-methods study to explore the underlying reasons for change

ABSTRACT Background: People with HIV (PWH) report higher rates of cannabis use than the general population. It is unclear how cannabis use among PWH has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications for the health and wellbeing of PWH. Objectives: To describe changes in frequency of cannabis use among a sample of PWH during the pandemic, reasons for those changes, and implications of the findings. Methods: The data are cross-sectional and come from questions asked in a follow-up phone survey administered to a prospective cohort of PWH in Florida between May 2020 and March 2021. Participants who used cannabis were asked about changes in their frequency of cannabis use in a quantitative survey and reasons for changes in a qualitative open-ended question. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Among 227 PWH (mean age 50, 50% men, 69% Black/African American, 14% Hispanic/Latino), 13% decreased frequency of cannabis, 11% increased frequency, and 76% reported no change. The most common reasons for increasing frequency of cannabis use were reducing anxiety/stress, trying to relax, coping with grief or reducing symptoms of depression, and reducing boredom during the pandemic. Supply or access issues, health concerns, and having already wanted to reduce cannabis use were common reasons for decreased frequency. Conclusion: Nearly 25% of the sample changed their cannabis use frequency during the pandemic. These findings shed light on the behaviors and motivations of PWH who use cannabis and can inform clinical practice and interventions during public health emergencies and beyond.

Development of cannabis use disorder in medical cannabis users: A 9-month follow-up of a randomized clinical trial testing effects of medical cannabis card ownership.

Evidence for long-term effectiveness of commercial cannabis products used to treat medical symptoms is inconsistent, despite increasingly widespread use. To prospectively evaluate the effects of using cannabis on self-reported symptoms of pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and cannabis use disorder (CUD) after 12 months of use. This observational cohort study describes outcomes over 9 months following a 12-week randomized, waitlist-controlled trial (RCT: NCT03224468) in which adults (N = 163) who wished to use cannabis to alleviate insomnia, pain, depression, or anxiety symptoms were randomly assigned to obtain a medical marijuana card immediately (immediate card acquisition group) or to delay obtaining a card for 12 weeks delay (delayed card acquisition group). During the 9-month post-randomization period, all participants could use cannabis as they wished and choose their cannabis products, doses, and frequency of use. Insomnia, pain, depression, anxiety, and CUD symptoms were assessed over the 9-month post-randomization period. After 12 months of using cannabis for medical symptoms, 11.7% of all participants (n = 19), and 17.1% of those using cannabis daily or near-daily (n = 6) developed CUD. Frequency of cannabis use was positively correlated with pain severity and number of CUD symptoms, but not significantly associated with severity of self-reported insomnia, depression, or anxiety symptoms. Depression scores improved throughout the 9 months in all participants, regardless of cannabis use frequency. Frequency of cannabis use was not associated with improved pain, anxiety, or depression symptoms but was associated with new-onset cannabis use disorder in a significant minority of participants. Daily or near-daily cannabis use appears to have little benefit for these symptoms after 12 months of use.

Shifts in medical cannabis use in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread secondary negative health impacts including loss of material security and exacerbation of mental illness in at-risk populations. While increases in the nonmedical use of certain substances, including cannabis, have been observed in samples of the Canadian population, no research has documented COVID-concurrent shifts in medical cannabis use in Canada. Data were derived from the 2021 Canadian Cannabis Patient Survey, an online survey administered in May 2021 to people authorized to use medical cannabis recruited from one of two Canadian licensed medical cannabis producers. McNemar tests assessed for changes in past 3-month medical cannabis frequency from before to during the pandemic. We explored correlates of increasing frequency of cannabis use since before the pandemic in bivariable and multivariable logistic models. In total, 2697 respondents (49.1% women) completed the survey. Daily medical cannabis use increased slightly but significantly from before the pandemic (83.2%) to during the pandemic (90.3% at time of survey; p < 0.001). Factors significantly associated with increasing frequency of medical cannabis use included female gender, younger age, pandemic-related job loss, primary cannabis use to manage mental health, prescription drug use and nonmedical cannabis use (p < 0.05). There were slight shifts towards higher frequency of medical cannabis use after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While short- and long-term impacts of cannabis use on pandemic-related mental distress are unknown, clinicians working with patients who use medical cannabis should be aware of possible changes in use patterns during the pandemic.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder after long-term cannabis use – case report

IntroductionObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours that considerably impact general functioning. Recent evidence links the endocannabinoid system to OCD neurobiology, and several case reports describe significant improvement after using dronabinol (synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol) in patients with severe OCD. Nevertheless, to what extent this new information can change our perspective on pharmacological treatment in OCD is unclear.Objectives We present the case of a patient with obsessive-compulsive symptoms triggered after increased long-term cannabis use. Our purpose is to emphasise the necessity of continuous research and a better understanding of the correlation between OCD and cannabis derivates before formulating treatment recommendations.MethodsWe used psychiatric assessments to evaluate the patient’s symptoms and evolution over time and exclude other possible causes that could have triggered the disorder.ResultsOur patient is a 37-year-old man who has been frequently brought to the hospital by the police in the last 11 years for psycho-motor agitation after cannabis use. This year, he came to the hospital by himself, complaining about intrusive thoughts that required motor and mental repetitions to reduce anxiety. His obsessions were mainly about the need for symmetry and exactness and his checking compulsions about his mother’s health. The symptoms required more than half a day and caused functional impairment. A detailed history did not outline any obsessive-compulsive symptoms before the previous year. The patient denies using new drugs, and we did not identify other medical conditions that could better explain the symptoms. However, he admits to increasing the doses and frequency of cannabis use during the last year. After two weeks of cannabis abstinence and Sertraline treatment, his symptomatology improved significantly, with a reduction of more than 50% in the time spent daily on mental and motor compulsions, reduced anxiety, and a noticeable increase in overall functionality. In addition, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale result decreased from 35 on the first day to 17 on discharge.ConclusionsRecent studies support the use of cannabis derivates for treating OCD symptoms. However, this case report outlines that prolonged cannabis use could also trigger OCD. Therefore, further studies are necessary to identify not only the potential benefits but also the potential risks of using cannabinoids as a pharmacological intervention.ReferencesNicolini H et.al.CannabisUseInPeopleWithOC.FrontPsychiatry.2021May10; 12:664228.doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.664228.PMID:34040556;PMCID:PMC8141625KayserR.R. et.al.TheEndocannabinoidSystem:ANewTreatmentTargetforOCD? CannabisandCannabinoidResearch.Jun2019.7787.doi10.1089/can.2018.0049GoodmanWK et.al.1989.YBOCS:Archives of General Psychiatry,1006–1011.doi10.1001/archpsyc.1989.01810110048007Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Examining the influence of substance use on mental health rating during COVID-19: A Canadian perspective.

Substance use and mental health symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety) have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, partly due to implementation of physical distancing measures aimed at containing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, there is limited pandemic-specific research that has examined the relationship between substance use and mental health with other correlates of well-being, including life satisfaction and social confidants. In the current study, we used ordered logistic regression analyses to examine whether a greater frequency of substance use (e.g., alcohol, cannabis, and opioids) during the pandemic predicted poorer ratings of self-reported mental health in a large sample of Canadians aged 15 to 64 years. We further considered whether life satisfaction and number of social confidants interacted with substance use to influence mental health, and stratified the models by sex and personal feelings of shame surrounding the use of substances (i.e., high and low shame). Findings indicated that frequency of substance use was significantly associated with increased odds of reporting poorer mental health for males and females exhibiting both low and high shame. In females reporting low shame, we found that as frequency of cannabis use increased, life satisfaction has a much greater positive association with mental health. Whereas, in females disclosing high shame, maintaining social relations was particularly important to benefit the mental health of current users of opioids, relative to past and non-users. No such interaction was found in males. Overall, the findings of the current study showed the negative mental health consequences of substance use during COVID-19 in a large Canadian sample, and most importantly revealed a critical sex difference in the way in which social determinants interact with substance use to influence mental health.

Impulsivity and cannabis use disorder among tunisian sample

IntroductionIn the past few years, there has been a considerable amount of evidence that cannabis use can cause structural and functional brain abnormalities.Structural imaging studies of cannabis users have revealed reduced prefrontal cortex volumes and white matter damage that may be involved with impulsivity. Objectives: To Determine the level of dependence on cannabis among cannabis users consulting the detoxification center of Sfax, Tunisia To assess in addition the impact of cannabis on impulsivity and motor control.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study that was conducted over a period of 13 months between September 15, 2020 and October 1, 2021 among cannabis users consulting the detoxification center of Sfax, Tunisia.A short form of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (the BIS-15) and a Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) were used to assess impulsivity and to determine cannabis abuse. Results: Thirty Eight cannabis users agreed to participate in this study. The distribution of CAST scores showed that 36 users (94.7%) had problematic cannabis use at the time of the study. The mean BIS 15 score was 38.2. In our sample, The level of impulsivity was highest in people with a high level of cannabis dependence. A higher level of impulsivity was found in younger subjects. However, a greater level of impulsivity was found in subjects with a lower socio-economic level. Concerning employment status, unemployment was significantly correlated with a higher level of impulsivity.ConclusionsImpulsivity is often associated with a variety of problematic behaviors such as aggressive behavior, smoking, drug abuse, pathological gambling or compulsive buying.A higher frequency of cannabis use and earlier age of onset use have been shown to be associated with the highest rates of impulsivity.Therefore, cannabis addiction represents a real public health problem, both because of the serious complications and heavy repercussions that it causes.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational use

AbstractSince 1996, 39 of the 50 US states have enacted medical cannabis laws (MCL) and since 2012, 21 states and Washington D.C. (DC) enacted recreational cannabis laws (RCL). Many individuals can use cannabis without harm, and legalization helps achieve social justice and financial aims. However, 20%-33% of cannabis users develop cannabis use disorder (CUD), which is associated with impaired functioning, psychosocial, physical and psychiatric problems. Despite these risks, Americans increasingly see cannabis use as harmless or even beneficial in treating or preventing health problems. The prevalence of frequent cannabis use and CUD has increased in US adults in recent years. Studying the role of MCL and RCL in these nationally increasing prevalences is challenging due to staggered-adoption dates of state legalizations, few years of data available to study RCL, and other potential influences on cannabis use and CUD. Using self-report data from US national surveys, MCL have been shown to have little influence on adolescent cannabis use, but increase adult illicit cannabis use and CUD. Fewer studies have examined RCL; in these, RCL increases adult use and CUD. However, studies are needed in national patient populations with multiple risk factors for CUD, including painful medical conditions and a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders. We used data from the electronic health records (EHR) database of the US Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest integrated healthcare system in the US, to examine trends in provider-diagnosed ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM CUD over time, differences in these trends by patient characteristics, and the role of MCL and RCL in the trends. CUD diagnoses more than doubled overall in the VHA, from 0.85% in 2005 to 1.92% in 2019. Increases were found across age, sex, and racial/ethnic subgroups of patients, with greater rates and increases among patients with chronic pain and with psychiatric disorders. Among patients living in MCL and RCL states, increases in CUD were larger than among patients in other states, although the size of legalization effects suggested that other factors are important in driving up prevalence, e.g., online commercialized information and other forms of advertising. The tensions between public health aims, social justice and financial gain will be discussed.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Puff, Puff, Don’t Pass: harm reduction for cannabis use during a viral respiratory pandemic

BackgroundPrior to the COVID-19 pandemic, cannabis use social practices often involved sharing prepared cannabis (joints/blunts/cigarettes) and cannabis-related paraphernalia. Previous studies have demonstrated that sharing paraphernalia for cannabis, tobacco, and crack cocaine is a risk factor for respiratory viral and bacterial infections. Although COVID-19 is a respiratory viral infection that spreads through droplets and airborne transmission, it is unclear if many individuals adopted harm reduction practices around sharing cannabis. This study: quantifies the prevalence of sharing prepared non-medical cannabis and cannabis-related paraphernalia reported before and during the pandemic; assesses changes in sharing of non-medical cannabis from before to during the pandemic; assess the association between frequency of non-medical cannabis use and sharing of cannabis during the pandemic; and describes how respondents obtained their cannabis and the reasons for changing their cannabis use during the pandemic to explain differences in sharing patterns.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data collected from an anonymous, US-based web survey on cannabis-related behaviors from August to September 2020 (n = 1833). Participants were included if they reported using a mode of inhalation for non-medical cannabis consumption. We calculated proportional changes in sharing cannabis before/during the COVID-19 pandemic. Associations between frequency of cannabis use and cannabis sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed using logistic regression analysis.ResultsOverall, 1,112 participants reported non-medical cannabis use; 925 (83.2%) reported a mode of cannabis inhalation. More respondents reported no sharing during (24.9%) than before the pandemic (12.4%; p < 0.01); less respondents shared most of the time (19.5% before; 11.2% during; p < 0.01) and always during the pandemic (5.2% before; 3.1% during; p < 0.01). After adjusting for covariates, the odds of any sharing during the pandemic for those who reported ≥ weekly cannabis use was 0.53 (95% CI 0.38, 0.75) compared to those who reported ≤ monthly.ConclusionsSharing of prepared cannabis and cannabis-related paraphernalia decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic. This finding suggests potential risk mitigation strategies taken by participants for COVID-19 prevention either directly through behavior change or indirectly through adherence to COVID-19 prevention recommendations. Harm reduction messaging around sharing of cannabis during surges of COVID-19 or other respiratory infections may provide benefit in reducing infection among those who use cannabis, especially as cannabis use in the USA continues to increase.

168. Monkey See, Monkey Do: Predicting Frequent Use of Cannabis among Canadian School-Aged Children

168. Monkey See, Monkey Do: Predicting Frequent Use of Cannabis among Canadian School-Aged Children

Legal sourcing of ten cannabis products in the Canadian cannabis market, 2019–2021: a repeat cross-sectional study

BackgroundOne of the objectives of cannabis legalization in Canada is to transition consumers from the illegal to the legal market. Little is known about how legal sourcing varies across different cannabis product types, provinces, and frequency of cannabis use.MethodsData were analyzed from Canadian respondents in the International Cannabis Policy Study, a repeat cross-sectional survey conducted annually from 2019 to 2021. Respondents were 15,311 past 12-month cannabis consumers of legal age to purchase cannabis. Weighted logistic regression models estimated the association between legal sourcing (“all”/ “some”/ “none”) of ten cannabis product types, province, and frequency of cannabis use over time.ResultsThe percentage of consumers who sourced “all” their cannabis products from legal sources in the past 12 months varied by product type, ranging from 49% of solid concentrate consumers to 82% of cannabis drink consumers in 2021. The percentage of consumers sourcing “all” their respective products legally was greater in 2021 than 2020 across all products. Legal sourcing varied by frequency of use: weekly or more frequent consumers were more likely to source “some” (versus “none”) of their products legally versus less frequent consumers. Legal sourcing also varied by province, with a lower likelihood of legal sourcing in Québec of products whose legal sale was restricted (e.g., edibles).ConclusionLegal sourcing increased over time, demonstrating progress in the transition to the legal market for all products in the first three years of legalization in Canada. Legal sourcing was highest for drinks and oils and lowest for solid concentrates and hash.

Study of the association between cannabis use and sleep disturbances in a large sample of University students

Sleep complaints and cannabis use are common among University students and are related to detrimental effects on health. The aim of this study was to explore their association. This cross-sectional study based on the i-Share e-cohort included French students between 18 and 30 years old (n = 14,787). Frequency of cannabis use was categorized into daily, weekly, monthly, and never/rarely use. Sleep complaints were defined using four items (i.e., insomnia, sleepiness, poor sleep quality, and sleep deprivation). In the whole sample (mean age: 20.4 years, 75.5% of females), 22.7% had insomnia, 18.3% had sleepiness, 22.4% had poor sleep quality, 52.5% had sleep deprivation, and 5.8% used cannabis weekly or daily. After adjustment, the likelihood of insomnia was significantly higher by 45% in cannabis users compared to non-users. The estimates steadily increased with frequency of use, reaching a 2.0-fold higher likelihood of insomnia in daily users compared to never/rarely users. Results were similar for the other sleep complaints. These findings provide support for an association between cannabis use and sleep complaints, particularly insomnia, among University students. Though direction and causality cannot be established in this setting, these results suggest warning students and health professionals about the association between cannabis use and sleep complaints.

Associations between blackout drinking and self-reported everyday cognition among young adults

IntroductionBlackout drinking, or alcohol-induced memory loss during at least some part of a drinking occasion, is common among young adults and associated with negative alcohol-related consequences. One potential unique effect of blackout drinking episodes could be prolonged, general difficulties forming new memories through impairments in encoding, storage, or retrieval. The current study examined preliminary associations between blackout drinking and self-reported everyday cognitive functioning (i.e., memory lapses, non-memory cognitive difficulties, cognitive concerns) among a sample of young adults. We also examined the moderating role of key factors linked to blackout drinking: gender and frequent simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use. MethodsParticipants (N = 479; 53% women) were aged 18–30 who reported past-year blackout drinking. Participants completed an online survey through Qualtrics Panels. ResultsMore frequent blackout experiences were found to be significantly related to more memory lapses, more non-memory cognitive difficulties, and more cognitive concerns even after controlling for typical alcohol use behavior. Men and individuals reporting frequent simultaneous use indicated stronger relationships between blackout drinking frequency and cognitive outcomes. Discussion and conclusionsFindings add to the growing body of literature supporting the uniquely hazardous effects of blackout drinking and identify individuals at heightened risk of harms. Given that associations between blackout drinking frequency and everyday cognitive functioning were identified even among a young adult sample suggests that blackout drinking may be a risky behavior that links to poorer cognitive functioning.

Cannabis use and gastrointestinal tract illnesses: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2005-2018.

The antiemetic properties of cannabis have motivated its use in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Conversely, case reports of intractable vomiting among heavy cannabis users have increasingly appeared in the literature. Studies on cannabis and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) health are scare. Here, we use data for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES, 2005-2018) to estimate the association between cannabis use and GIT illness. The study sample included non-pregnant adult NHANES participants (20-59 years) without history of cancer or HIV (n=18,753). Cannabis use was categorised into never, former (0day in the past 30 days), infrequent (1-2 days), occasional (3-19 days) and frequent (20-30 days) use. Recent GIT illness was defined as experiencing GIT illness with vomiting or diarrhoea that started in the 30 days prior to NHANES. Logistic regression was used to regress GIT illness on cannabis use, adjusting for potential confounders. Compared to never use, frequent cannabis use was associated with higher odds of GIT illness (OR=1.4; 95% confidence interval 1.04, 1.9). There were no associations between former, infrequent or occasional cannabis use and GIT illness. Frequent cannabis use is associated with GIT illnesses in a large cross-sectional study of US residents. It is possible that frequent cannabis use adversely affects GIT health, consistent with clinical case reports. Alternatively, patients with GIT illness might self-medicate with cannabis given its antiemetic properties. Prospective studies are needed to understand the effects of cannabis use on GIT health.

Sexual orientation and cannabis outcomes among Black Individuals: The role of cannabis use motives

Sexual minority individuals report greater cannabis use and cannabis use related problems relative to straight individuals. Although sociocultural models suggest that sexual minority individuals may be especially vulnerable to using cannabis for high-risk motives such as coping motives, little attention has been paid to the role of cannabis use motives among sexual minority relative to straight individuals. Thus, the current study examined the role of cannabis use motives and cannabis-related problems among Black sexual minority and straight individuals that reported current (past 3-month) cannabis use (N = 137, 28.5 % of whom identify as sexual minority). Sexual minority participants endorsed more frequent cannabis use, and social, coping, enhancement, and expansion motives than straight participants. Conformity motives were not significantly related to sexual minority status. Multiple mediation model with all relevant motives included as putative mediators indicated that sexual minority status was related to cannabis problems indirectly via the effects of coping and expansion motives. Alternative models strengthen confidence in the directionality of these effects, although future prospective research will be an important next step. Findings may help inform treatment efforts among sexual minority individuals to reduce risk of negative cannabis outcomes.