Exercise Reduces Cannabis Craving and Use
Author Information
Author(s): Maciej S. Buchowski, Natalie N. Meade, Evonne Charboneau, Sohee Park, Mary S. Dietrich, Ronald L. Cowan, Peter R. Martin
Primary Institution: Vanderbilt University
Hypothesis
Moderate aerobic exercise may reduce cannabis craving and use in cannabis-dependent adults.
Conclusion
The study found that a 2-week aerobic exercise program significantly reduced cannabis use and craving among participants.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants reported an average cannabis use of 5.9 joints per day before the exercise program.
- Cannabis use decreased to 2.8 joints per day during the exercise period.
- Craving scores for compulsivity, emotionality, expectancy, and purposefulness significantly decreased after exercise.
Takeaway
Doing exercise can help people who want to stop using cannabis feel less craving and use less of it.
Methodology
Participants engaged in 10 supervised 30-minute treadmill exercise sessions over 2 weeks, with assessments of cannabis use and craving before, during, and after the intervention.
Potential Biases
Self-reporting may introduce bias in the accuracy of cannabis use data.
Limitations
The study lacked a control group and had a small sample size, relying on self-reported cannabis use.
Participant Demographics
Participants were sedentary or minimally active, cannabis-dependent adults, average age 25 years, with 8 females.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.002
Statistical Significance
p<0.005
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website