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Characterizing smoking topography of cannabis in heavy users

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Abstract

Rationale

Little is known about the smoking topography characteristics of heavy cannabis users. Such measures may be able to predict cannabis use-related outcomes and could be used to validate self-reported measures of cannabis use.

Objectives

The current study was conducted to measure cannabis smoking topography characteristics during periods of ad libitum use and to correlate topography assessments with measures of self-reported cannabis use, withdrawal and craving during abstinence, and cognitive task performance.

Methods

Participants (N = 20) completed an inpatient study in which they alternated between periods of ad libitum cannabis use and abstinence. Measures of self-reported cannabis use, smoking topography, craving, withdrawal, and sleep measures were collected.

Results

Participants smoked with greater intensity (e.g., greater volume, longer duration) on initial cigarette puffs with a steady decline on subsequent puffs. Smoking characteristics were significantly correlated with severity of withdrawal, notably sleep quality and architecture, and craving during abstinence, suggesting dose-related effects of cannabis use on these outcomes. Smoking characteristics generally were not significantly associated with cognitive performance. Smoking topography measures were significantly correlated with self-reported measures of cannabis use, indicating validity of these assessments, but topography measures were more sensitive than self-report in predicting cannabis-related outcomes.

Conclusions

A dose–effect relationship between cannabis consumption and outcomes believed to be clinically important was observed. With additional research, smoking topography assessments may become a useful clinical tool.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Erin Curran, Jeannie Fry, and Elizabeth Girling for data collection and management, Linda Felch for statistical consulting services, and the recruiting, medical, and support staff of the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit at Johns Hopkins University.

Role of funding source

This research was supported by grants R21-DA025794 and T32-DA07209 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Correspondence to Erin A. McClure.

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McClure, E.A., Stitzer, M.L. & Vandrey, R. Characterizing smoking topography of cannabis in heavy users. Psychopharmacology 220, 309–318 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2480-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2480-4

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