Stress- and cue-elicited craving and reactivity in marijuana-dependent individuals.
Summary of "Stress- and cue-elicited craving and reactivity in marijuana-dependent individuals."
RATIONALE:
Cue-elicited craving and stress responses have been identified as predictors of relapse in drug dependence, but little research exists on the contribution of these factors to marijuana use specifically.
OBJECTIVES:
The aims of the present study were to evaluate (1) responses to a psychological stressor, (2) responses to marijuana-related cues, and (3) if an exposure to a psychological stressor augmented craving subsequently elicited by marijuana-related cue exposure in marijuana-dependent individuals.
METHODS:
Subjective (craving, stress), neuroendocrine (adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol), and physiologic responses to the presentation of neutral and marijuana cues were assessed after randomization to a stress (Trier Social Stress Task (TSST)) or non-stress control condition in marijuana-dependent individuals. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, post-stressor/pre-neutral cue, post-neutral cue, and post-marijuana cue.
RESULTS:
Eighty-seven participants completed procedures (stress group, n = 45; non-stress group, n = 42). The stress group had a significant increase over the non-stress group in stress rating (p < 0.001), craving (p = 0.028), cortisol (p < 0.001), and ACTH (p < 0.001) after the completion of the TSST. An increased craving response for all participants was seen following the presentation of the marijuana cues (p = 0.005). Following the TSST or non-stress condition, the non-stress group had an increase in craving to marijuana cues as compared to neutral cues (p = 0.002); an increase in craving was not observed in the stress group (p = 0.404).
CONCLUSIONS:
Marijuana cue exposure and a social stressor increased craving in marijuana-dependent individuals. Completion of the TSST did not increase craving response to subsequent marijuana cue exposure.
Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA, mcraeal@musc.edu.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Psychopharmacology
ISSN: 1432-2072
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21710170
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2376-3
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Marijuana Abuse
The excessive use of marijuana with associated psychological symptoms and impairment in social or occupational functioning.
Tert-butylhydroperoxide
A direct-acting oxidative stress-inducing agent used to examine the effects of oxidant stress on Ca(2+)-dependent signal transduction in vascular endothelial cells. It is also used as a catalyst in polymerization reactions and to introduce peroxy groups into organic molecules.
Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute
A class of traumatic stress disorders that is characterized by the significant dissociative states seen immediately after overwhelming trauma. By definition it cannot last longer than 1 month, if it persists, a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (STRESS DISORDERS, POST-TRAUMATIC) is more appropriate.
Cyclin-dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins
A group of cell cycle proteins that negatively regulate the activity of CYCLIN/CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE complexes. They inhibit CELL CYCLE progression and help control CELL PROLIFERATION following GENOTOXIC STRESS as well as during CELL DIFFERENTIATION.
Marijuana Smoking
Inhaling and exhaling the smoke from CANNABIS.
PubMed Articles
Reactivity to in vivo marijuana cues among cannabis-dependent adolescents.
INTRODUCTION: Cannabis dependence is a common but poorly understood condition in adolescents. Marijuana craving has been posited as a potential contributing factor to continued use and relapse, but re...
RATIONALE: Cue-elicited craving is a well-researched phenomenon in alcohol literature. However, not all alcohol-dependent people display the same reactivity to alcohol cues. Personality factors such a...
RATIONALE: Alcohol dependence is associated with high rates of recidivism. Stress has been shown to increase alcohol craving in alcohol-dependent individuals, but the association between stress-induce...
RATIONALE: A robust finding in the alcohol literature is that heavy and alcohol-dependent drinkers show stronger reactions to alcohol-related cues than light drinkers. However, there are individual di...
RATIONALE/OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effects of propranolol vs. placebo, administered immediately after a "retrieval" session of cocaine cue exposure (CCE), on craving and physiological respo...
Clinical Trials
Stress and Marijuana Cue-Elicited Craving and Reactivity
The purpose of this study is to explore the interaction between stress and marijuana cues, in hopes that it may lead to the development of new treatments for marijuana dependence.
Stress and Medication Effects on Cocaine Cue Reactivity
Stressful situations and cues associated with cocaine can lead to craving in cocaine dependent individuals. The purpose of this study is to determine whether guanfacine or modafinil are e...
Stress and cues reminiscent of cocaine use promote craving and relapse in cocaine dependent individuals. In addition, there appears to be gender differences in determinants of relapse to...
Buspirone Treatment for Marijuana Dependence
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug, yet few clinical trials have evaluated pharmacotherapy treatments for marijuana dependence. This study will evaluate the efficacy of buspi...
Quitting Marijuana Use: Self-Report Study of Quitting Strategies and Withdrawal Symptoms
This study will employ two self-report questionnaires to collect information from non-treatment seeking adults with a marijuana use history who have made at least one attempt to quit marij...
