1
|
Coelho SG, Hendershot CS, Aston ER, Ruocco AC, Quilty LC, Tyndale RF, Wardell JD. Executive functions and behavioral economic demand for cannabis among young adults: Indirect associations with cannabis consumption and cannabis use disorder. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2024; 32:305-315. [PMID: 37732960 PMCID: PMC10954585 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral economic demand for cannabis is robustly associated with cannabis consumption and cannabis use disorder (CUD). However, few studies have examined the processes underlying individual differences in the relative valuation of cannabis (i.e., demand). This study examined associations between executive functions and cannabis demand among young adults who use cannabis. We also examined indirect associations of executive functions with cannabis consumption and CUD symptoms through cannabis demand. Young adults (N = 113; 58.4% female; mean age 22 years) completed a Marijuana Purchase Task. Participants also completed cognitive tasks assessing executive functions (set shifting, inhibitory control, working memory) and semistructured interviews assessing past 90-day cannabis consumption (number of grams used) and number of CUD symptoms. Poorer inhibitory control was significantly associated with greater Omax (peak expenditure on cannabis) and greater intensity (cannabis consumption at zero cost). Poorer working memory was significantly associated with lower elasticity (sensitivity of consumption to escalating cost). Lower inhibitory control was indirectly associated with greater cannabis consumption and CUD symptoms through greater Omax and intensity, and poorer working memory was indirectly associated with greater cannabis consumption and CUD symptoms through reduced elasticity. This study provides novel evidence that executive functions are associated with individual differences in cannabis demand. Moreover, these results suggest that cannabis demand could be a mechanism linking poorer executive functioning with heavier cannabis use and CUD, which should be confirmed in future longitudinal studies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian S. Hendershot
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Elizabeth R. Aston
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health
| | - Anthony C. Ruocco
- Department of Psychological Clinical Science, University of Toronto
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
| | - Lena C. Quilty
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
| | - Rachel F. Tyndale
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto
| | - Jeffrey D. Wardell
- Department of Psychology, York University
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Borodovsky JT, Hasin DS, Shmulewitz D, Walsh C, Livne O, Aharonovich E, Struble CA, Habib MI, Budney AJ. Typical Hits, Grams, or Joints: Evaluating Cannabis Survey Measurement Strategies for Quantifying Consumption. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:646-658. [PMID: 36577020 PMCID: PMC10998027 DOI: 10.1089/can.2022.0237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Standardized survey measures that capture diverse cannabis consumption patterns are needed to inform public health and policy. Our team is developing a flexible, personalized, low-burden survey item inventory to measure cannabis use patterns and estimate milligrams of THC (mgTHC) consumption in large samples. This study aimed to identify measurement gaps and analysis implications associated with an initial pool of candidate items that assessed use of cannabis flower and concentrate products (smoked and/or vaporized). Methods: Adult cannabis consumers (n=4247) completed an online survey assessing cannabis use frequency, quantity, product types, product potencies (%THC), and methods of administration. Participants chose to report their consumption quantities using one of three units: "hits per day," "grams per week," or "joints per week." Respondents also indicated whether their past 7-day consumption pattern represented their typical pattern. Results: Eighty-one percent had used cannabis daily in the past week. Thirty-two percent, 53%, and 15% chose to report flower and concentrate consumption quantity in hits, grams, and joints, respectively. Approximately 80-90% of responses for the number of hits, grams, and joints consumed were less than the maximum response option-suggesting that response options captured the full range of potential cannabis consumption behaviors. Those who chose grams or joints units were generally more likely to endorse higher risk cannabis use (e.g., morning use, high %THC products) in the past week than those who chose the hits unit (adjusted Odds Ratio range: 1.2-3.9). Among those who reported that the past week represented their typical behavior (83%), past 30-day and past 7-day frequencies were highly correlated (Spearman's Rho=0.77)-supporting the feasibility of using lower burden "typical week" items to extrapolate patterns beyond a 1-week time frame. Conclusion: Results from this online convenience sample of frequent cannabis consumers suggest that the current items yield coherent and expected response patterns. Although additional testing is required, a standardized, flexible survey instrument for large-scale assessment of cannabis patterns and calculation of mgTHC seems within reach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T. Borodovsky
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Deborah S. Hasin
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dvora Shmulewitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Claire Walsh
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ofir Livne
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Efrat Aharonovich
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Cara A. Struble
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Mohammad I. Habib
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Alan J. Budney
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Miller BP, Aston ER, Davis W, Berey BL, Dowd AN, Amlung M. Examining the effect of cannabis cues on cannabis demand in sleep, driving, and typical drug-use contexts. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 254:111057. [PMID: 38101283 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Given the expanding legal cannabis market in the U.S., it is vital to understand how context impacts cannabis use. Therefore, we explored the effect of cannabis cues and cannabis-use context on cannabis demand in 79 adults who reported smoking cannabis at least weekly. METHODS Participants completed a single laboratory session consisting of four hypothetical marijuana purchase tasks (MPTs) involving either a typical use situation or a driving or sleep context. The MPTs were alternated with exposure to cannabis or neutral picture cues based on block randomization by gender. RESULTS Cannabis cues increased self-reported craving for cannabis (p =.044) but did not significantly alter demand (ps =0.093-0.845). In the driving context, participants demonstrated a significant reduction in cannabis demand, indicated by lower intensity (p <0.001), Omax (p <0.001), and Pmax (p <0.001), breakpoint (p =.003), and higher α (p <0.001). The sleep context was associated with significantly greater α (p <0.006) but nonsignificant effects for other indices (ps =0.123-0.707). Finally, cannabis cues increased Omax (p =.013) and breakpoint (p =.035) in the sleep context but not in the typical-use context. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that cannabis-use behavior is sensitive to contingencies surrounding driving after cannabis use and may also be sensitive to sleep contexts in the presence of cannabis cues. Since this is the first study to examine driving and sleep contexts, we caution against drawing broad conclusions until future research is conducted to replicate these findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon P Miller
- Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas, USA.
| | - Elizabeth R Aston
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, USA; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, USA
| | - William Davis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, USA
| | - Benjamin L Berey
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, USA; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, USA; Providence VA Medical Center, USA
| | - Ashley N Dowd
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, USA
| | - Michael Amlung
- Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas, USA; Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, University of Kansas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Aston ER, Meshesha LZ, Stevens AK, Borsari B, Metrik J. Cannabis demand and use among veterans: A prospective examination. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2023; 37:985-995. [PMID: 37079805 PMCID: PMC10587363 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cannabis demand (i.e., relative value), assessed cross-sectionally via a hypothetical marijuana purchase task (MPT), has been associated with use, problems, and dependence symptoms, among others. However, limited work exists on the prospective stability of the MPT. Furthermore, cannabis demand among veterans endorsing cannabis use, and the prospective cyclical relationship between demand and use over time, have yet to be investigated. METHOD Two waves of data from a veteran sample (N = 133) reporting current (past 6-month) cannabis use were analyzed to assess stability in cannabis demand over 6 months. Autoregressive cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs) assessed the longitudinal associations between demand indices (i.e., intensity, Omax, Pmax, breakpoint) and cannabis use. RESULTS Baseline cannabis use predicted greater intensity (β = .32, p < .001), Omax (β = .37, p < .001), breakpoint (β = .28, p < .001), and Pmax (β = .21, p = .017) at 6 months. Conversely, baseline intensity (β = .14, p = .028), breakpoint (β = .12, p = .038), and Pmax (β = .12, p = .043), but not Omax, predicted greater use at 6 months. Only intensity demonstrated acceptable prospective reliability. CONCLUSIONS Cannabis demand demonstrated stability over 6 months in CLPM models, varying along with natural changes in cannabis use. Importantly, intensity, Pmax, and breakpoint displayed bidirectional predictive associations with cannabis use, and the prospective pathway from use to demand was consistently stronger. Test-retest reliability ranged from good to poor across indices. Findings highlight the value of assessing cannabis demand longitudinally, particularly among clinical samples, to determine how demand fluctuates in response to experimental manipulation, intervention, and treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R. Aston
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, 02912
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Heath, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Lidia Z. Meshesha
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, 02912
- Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816
| | - Angela K. Stevens
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Brian Borsari
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Jane Metrik
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, 02912
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Heath, Providence, RI, 02912
- Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI, 02908
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Borodovsky JT, Struble CA, Habib MI, Hasin DS, Shmulewitz D, Walsh C, Livne O, Aharonovich E, Budney AJ. Exploring survey methods for measuring consumption quantities of cannabis flower and concentrate products. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2023; 49:733-745. [PMID: 37774316 PMCID: PMC10795727 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2246635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Background: Researchers need accurate measurements of cannabis consumption quantities to assess risks and benefits. Survey methods for measuring cannabis flower and concentrate quantities remain underdeveloped.Objective: We examined "grams" and "hits" units for measuring flower and concentrate quantities, and calculating milligrams of THC (mgTHC).Methods: Online survey participants (n = 2,381) reported preferred unit (hits or grams), past-week hits and grams for each product, and product %THC. Quantile regression compared mgTHC between unit-preference subgroups. Hits-based mgTHC calculations assumed a universal grams-per-hit ratio (GPHR). To examine individualized GPHRs, we tested a "two-item approach," which divided total grams by total hits, and "one-item approach," which divided 0.5 grams by responses to the question: "How many total hits would it take you to finish 1/2 g of your [product] by [administration method]?"Results: Participants were primarily daily consumers (77%), 50% female sex, mean age 39.0 (SD 16.4), 85% White, 49% employed full-time. Compared to those who preferred the hits unit, those who preferred the grams unit reported consuming more hits and grams, higher %THC products, and consequently, larger median mgTHC (flower-hits mgTHC: 32 vs. 91 (95%CI: 52-67); flower-grams mgTHC: 27 vs. 113 (95%CI: 73-95); concentrate-hits mgTHC: 29 vs. 59 (95%CI: 15-43); concentrate-grams mgTHC: 61 vs. 129 (95%CI: 43-94)). "Two-item" and "one-item" approach GPHRs were similar and frequently 50% larger or smaller than the universal GPHR.Conclusion: Allowing respondents to choose "hits" or "grams" when reporting cannabis quantities does not compromise mgTHC estimates. A low-burden, one-item approach yields individualized "hit sizes" that may improve mgTHC estimates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T. Borodovsky
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, 46 Centerra Pkwy, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Cara A. Struble
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, 46 Centerra Pkwy, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA
| | - Mohammad I. Habib
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, 46 Centerra Pkwy, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA
| | - Deborah S. Hasin
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W 168 St, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Dvora Shmulewitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Claire Walsh
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ofir Livne
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Efrat Aharonovich
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alan J. Budney
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, 46 Centerra Pkwy, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bush NJ, Ferguson E, Boissoneault J, Yurasek AM. Reliability of an adaptive marijuana purchase task. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2023; 31:491-497. [PMID: 36174147 PMCID: PMC10033342 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Purchase tasks are used to measure the value, or demand, for various substances by assessing the amount of a substance individuals would purchase across a series of escalating prices. Marijuana purchase task (MPT) has been previously developed; however, cannabis can be consumed in various forms and measurements, thus raising questions about the applicability of the MPT across cannabis users. An adaptive MPT was developed to allow participants to select their preferred product (e.g., herbal, dabs) and division (e.g., hits, grams). Little research has been done to assess the temporal stability of these measures. Participants (N = 50, Mage = 35.3) who reported at least monthly cannabis use were recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk and completed a baseline and repeated original and adaptive MPT. Seventy-two percent (N = 36) of the sample reported the same preferred product and division. Results indicated that the baseline and repeated original MPT were significantly correlated across all indices (rrange = .37-.73), while the baseline and repeated adaptive MPT was significantly correlated with Pmax (r = .31, p = .029) and Omax (r = .57, p < .001). Permutation testing comparing the difference between the original and adaptive MPT on all indices demonstrated a difference for break point (rdifference = .52, p = .004) and elasticity (rdifference = .94, p = .005). Correlations were lower between participants who switched their preferences on the adaptive MPT. Only elasticity was significantly different (rdifference = .93, p = .012) between tasks among participants who did not switch their preferences. Results provide support that both the original and adaptive MPT are reliable across repeated measurement and demonstrate the importance of assessing cannabis product and division preferences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ali M Yurasek
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Berry MS, Naudé GP, Johnson PS, Johnson MW. The Blinded-Dose Purchase Task: assessing hypothetical demand based on cocaine, methamphetamine, and alcohol administration. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:921-933. [PMID: 36869212 PMCID: PMC10006272 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06334-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Behavioral economic drug purchase tasks quantify the reinforcing value of a drug (i.e., demand). Although widely used to assess demand, drug expectancies are rarely accounted for and may introduce variability across participants given diverse drug experiences. OBJECTIVES Three experiments validated and extended previous hypothetical purchase tasks by using blinded drug dose as a reinforcing stimulus, and determined hypothetical demand for experienced effects while controlling for drug expectancies. METHODS Across three double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject experiments, cocaine (0, 125, 250 mg/70 kg; n=12), methamphetamine (0, 20, 40 mg; n=19), and alcohol (0, 1 g/kg alcohol; n=25) were administered and demand was assessed using the Blinded-Dose Purchase Task. Participants answered questions regarding simulated purchasing of the blinded drug dose across increasing prices. Demand metrics, subjective effects, and self-reported real-world monetary spending on drugs were evaluated. RESULTS Data were well modeled by the demand curve function, with significantly higher intensity (purchasing at low prices) for active drug doses compared to placebo for all experiments. Unit-price analyses revealed more persistent consumption across prices (lower α) in the higher compared to lower active dose condition for methamphetamine (a similar non-significant finding emerged for cocaine). Significant associations between demand metrics, peak subjective effects, and real-world spending on drugs also emerged across all experiments. CONCLUSIONS Orderly demand curve data revealed differences across drug and placebo conditions, and relations to real-world measures of drug spending, and subjective effects. Unit-price analyses enabled parsimonious comparisons across doses. Results lend credence to the validity of the Blinded-Dose Purchase Task, which allows for control of drug expectancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meredith S Berry
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Yon Hall Room 031, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Gideon P Naudé
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Patrick S Johnson
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Matthew W Johnson
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yurasek AM, Berey BL, Pritschman RK, Murphy CM, Aston ER. Initial development and validation of a brief assessment of marijuana demand among young adult college students. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2023; 31:318-323. [PMID: 36074625 PMCID: PMC9992447 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Hypothetical purchase tasks assess substance demand, but the length of purchase tasks makes repeated assessment of state-dependent changes in demand difficult, often limiting clinical utility. Although brief assessments of alcohol and cigarette demand exist, brief measures of cannabis demand do not. College students (N = 209, Mage = 19.92, SD = 1.45; 63% female; 56.9% non-Hispanic Caucasian) who reported using cannabis at least 3 days in the past month, completed an online survey including the full-length marijuana purchase task (MPT), a three-item brief assessment of marijuana demand (BAMD) assessing intensity, Omax and breakpoint, and cannabis use outcomes. Convergent and divergent validity were examined. Independent samples t tests compared demand on the BAMD and MPT based on presence or absence of cannabis use disorder (CUD) symptoms, and one-way between-subject analyses of variance compared effects of CUD severity (mild/moderate/severe) on BAMD indices. All indices were significantly correlated across both assessment measures (ps < .01). Similarly, all indices on both demand measures were significantly correlated with craving, CUD severity, and cannabis-related consequences (ps < .01); whereas only intensity and Omax were significantly correlated with cannabis use frequency (ps < .01). Individuals with (vs. without) CUD symptoms reported significantly greater intensity and Omax (ps < .01) and significant differences in CUD severity on BAMD indices were found as well (ps < .05). The BAMD demonstrated convergent and divergent validity with the MPT. Findings suggest that brief cannabis demand can be easily assessed as an indicator for high-risk cannabis use. Thus, the BAMD may be a useful and clinically relevant tool to assess cannabis demand in real-world settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali M. Yurasek
- Department of Health Education & Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32607, United States
| | - Benjamin L. Berey
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI
| | - Ricarda K. Pritschman
- Department of Health Education & Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32607, United States
| | - Cara M. Murphy
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI
| | - Elizabeth R. Aston
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
González-Roz A, Martínez-Loredo V, Aston ER, Metrik J, Murphy J, Balodis I, Secades-Villa R, Belisario K, MacKillop J. Concurrent validity of the marijuana purchase task: a meta-analysis of trait-level cannabis demand and cannabis involvement. Addiction 2023; 118:620-633. [PMID: 36305652 PMCID: PMC10020890 DOI: 10.1111/add.16075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The Marijuana Purchase Task (MPT) is increasingly used to measure cannabis reinforcing value and has potential use for cannabis etiological and regulatory research. This meta-analysis sought to evaluate for the first time the MPT's concurrent validity in relation to cannabis involvement. METHODS Electronic databases and pre-print repositories were searched for MPT studies that examined the cross-sectional relationship between frequency and quantity of cannabis use, problems, dependence, and five MPT indicators: intensity (i.e. unrestricted consumption), Omax (i.e. maximum consumption), Pmax (i.e. price at which demand becomes elastic), breakpoint (i.e. first price at which consumption ceases), and elasticity (i.e. sensitivity to rising costs). Random effects meta-analyses of cross-sectional effect sizes were conducted, with Q tests for examining differences by cannabis variables, meta-regression to test quantitative moderators, and publication bias assessment. Moderators included sex, number of MPT prices, variable transformations, and year of publication. Populations included community and clinical samples. RESULTS The searches yielded 14 studies (n = 4077, median % females: 44.8%: weighted average age = 29.08 [SD = 6.82]), published between 2015 and 2022. Intensity, Omax , and elasticity showed the most robust concurrent validity (|r's| = 0.147-325, ps < 0.014) with the largest significant effect sizes for quantity (|r| intensity = 0.325) and cannabis dependence (|r| Omax = 0.320, |r| intensity = 0.305, |r| elasticity = 0.303). Higher proportion of males was associated with increased estimates for elasticity-quantity and Pmax -problems. Higher number of MPT prices significantly altered magnitude of effects sizes for Pmax and problems, suggesting biased estimations if excessively low prices are considered. Methodological quality was generally good, and minimal evidence of publication bias was observed. CONCLUSIONS The marijuana purchase task presents adequate concurrent validity to measure cannabis demand, most robustly for intensity, Omax , and elasticity. Moderating effects by sex suggest potentially meaningful sex differences in the reinforcing value of cannabis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alba González-Roz
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Addictive Behaviors Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Elizabeth R Aston
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jane Metrik
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
- Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - James Murphy
- Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Iris Balodis
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Roberto Secades-Villa
- Addictive Behaviors Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Kyla Belisario
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - James MacKillop
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Acuff SF, Strickland JC, Aston ER, Gex KS, Murphy JG. The effects of social context and opportunity cost on the behavioral economic value of cannabis. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2023; 37:156-165. [PMID: 36480398 PMCID: PMC9851964 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Behavioral economics suggest that cannabis reinforcing value (cannabis demand) may be influenced by external, contextual factors such as the social reward that might accompany cannabis use and the presence of opportunity costs (e.g., a next-day responsibility that cannabis use might adversely impact). The present study examined the effect of social context and opportunity cost on cannabis demand and explored whether relations were moderated by cannabis use severity. METHOD Adults with past-week cannabis use recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (N = 310; 53.5% female, 79.4% White) completed four purchase tasks, in which participants reported how much cannabis they would purchase across escalating prices, to index cannabis demand under varying contexts: (a) solitary, typical responsibilities; (b) social, typical responsibilities; (c) solitary, substantial responsibilities; and (d) social, substantial responsibilities. RESULTS The presence of peers significantly increased demand intensity (consumption at zero price) and Omax (maximum expenditure) relative to the solitary conditions. Substantial responsibilities significantly decreased intensity, breakpoint (price at which consumption is fully suppressed), and Pmax (price at which maximum expenditure occurs) and increased elasticity (greater price sensitivity). Demand was most inelastic in the social, typical responsibilities condition relative to other conditions. Cannabis use severity was associated with less elastic demand in the solitary, typical responsibilities condition. Those with higher cannabis use severity reported larger differences in demand intensity and Omax between solitary and social conditions, and in demand elasticity between typical and substantial responsibility conditions. CONCLUSIONS Results are consistent with previous research illustrating social and opportunity costs as determinants of cannabis use behavior. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
|
11
|
Schultz NR, Aston ER, Metrik J, Ramirez JJ. Can I see some ID? Examining validity of the marijuana purchase task among late adolescent cannabis users. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2023; 31:238-247. [PMID: 35587422 PMCID: PMC9674799 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis demand (i.e., reinforcing value) can be assessed using a marijuana purchase task (MPT; assesses hypothetical purchasing of cannabis at escalating prices) and has been related to use frequency, problems, and cannabis use disorder symptoms in adults. Cannabis demand has yet to be studied in adolescents, which can inform prevention and intervention efforts to reduce cannabis-related risks. The present study sought to validate the MPT with a sample of late adolescent lifetime cannabis users. Participants aged 15-18 years old (n = 115, Mage = 16.9, SD = 0.9) residing in a state with legalized cannabis use completed online assessments at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Convergent and divergent validity was examined, while principal component analysis was conducted to determine the factor structure and assess predictive validity. Three indices, Omax (i.e., maximum expenditure on cannabis), breakpoint (i.e., price suppressing consumption to zero), and alpha (i.e., degree to which consumption decreases with increasing price) were all significantly associated with cannabis use, consequences, craving, and expenditures and significantly differentiated low-risk users and high-risk users as measured by the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R). A two-factor solution reflecting amplitude (intensity, alpha, Omax) and persistence (breakpoint, Pmax) was observed. Both factors were associated with cannabis use and consequences in baseline regression models. At follow-up, persistence was associated with consequences; amplitude was not associated with either outcome. These findings provide initial evidence that the MPT is a valid measure for assessing cannabis demand among adolescents and can be used to understand mechanisms of adolescent cannabis use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R. Schultz
- Center for the Study of Health & Risk Behaviors (CSHRB), School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington
| | - Elizabeth R. Aston
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health
| | - Jane Metrik
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health
- Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Jason J. Ramirez
- Center for the Study of Health & Risk Behaviors (CSHRB), School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dolan SB, Spindle TR, Vandrey R, Johnson MW. Behavioral economic interactions between cannabis and alcohol purchasing: Associations with disordered use. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2022; 30:159-171. [PMID: 33001691 PMCID: PMC8209692 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
As cannabis policy changes, there is an urgent need to understand interactions between cannabis and alcohol couse. An online sample of 711 adult past-month cannabis and alcohol users completed both single-item hypothetical purchasing tasks for cannabis and alcohol and cross-commodity purchasing tasks assessing adjusting-price cannabis with concurrently available, fixed-price alcohol, and vice versa. Participants provided information about cannabis and alcohol use patterns, and completed the Alcohol and Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Tests (AUDIT and CUDIT, respectively). Group data showed that cannabis and alcohol served as complements (as the price of the adjusting-price commodity increased, consumption of both commodities decreased). However, individual data showed substantial variability with nontrivial proportions showing patterns of complementarity, substitution, and independence. More negative slopes (greater complementarity) for fixed-price cannabis and alcohol were both associated with greater self-reported drug consumption and CUDIT and AUDIT scores. The negative relation between cross-price slope and CUDIT/AUDIT score indicates that individuals who treat cannabis and alcohol more as complements are more likely to experience disordered use. Based on these cross-commodity purchasing data, when both cannabis and alcohol are concurrently available at low prices, both may be used at high levels, whereas limiting consumption of one commodity (e.g., through increased price) may reduce consumption of the other. These data show the importance of examining individual participant analyses of behavioral economic drug interactions and suggest that manipulation of cost (e.g., through taxes) or cosale restrictions are potential public health regulatory mechanisms for reducing alcohol and cannabis use and couse behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean B Dolan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | | | - Ryan Vandrey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Vedelago L, Wardell J, Kempe T, Patel H, Amlung M, MacKillop J, Keough M. Getting high to cope with COVID-19: Modelling the associations between cannabis demand, coping motives, and cannabis use and problems. Addict Behav 2022; 124:107092. [PMID: 34469783 PMCID: PMC8555961 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people may use substances like cannabis for enhancement or coping purposes. Behavioral economic demand for a substance is a key determinant of its use and misuse and can be measured via hypothetical purchase tasks. Previous research suggests that motivations to use a substance play a mediational role between elevated substance demand and problems, but comparable mechanistic research has yet to be done in the COVID-19 context and on the effects of cannabis demand on cannabis use patterns. Participants (n = 137) were recruited via the online crowdsourcing platform Prolific. Participants completed measures of cannabis use and problems, motivations for cannabis use, and the Marijuana Purchase Task. Two indices of demand, Persistence (i.e., sensitivity to increasing cost of cannabis) and Amplitude (i.e., consumption of cannabis at unrestricted cost), were related to increased cannabis problems via the use motive of coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. This model did not support the mediational role of enhancement motives. Those with increased cannabis demand who tend to use cannabis to cope are at increased risk of experiencing negative cannabis-related consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
|
14
|
Yoon JH, de Dios C, Suchting R, Vincent JN, McKay SA, Lane SD, Schmitz JM. Initial development of a brief assessment of cocaine demand. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:351-355. [PMID: 33394690 PMCID: PMC8119298 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine demand is a behavioral economic measure assessing drug reward value and motivation to use drug. The purpose of the current study was to develop a brief assessment of cocaine demand (BACD). Results from the BACD were compared with self-report measures of cocaine use. Participants consisted of treatment-seeking individuals with cocaine use disorder (N = 22). Results revealed that indices of brief demand were significantly associated with various self-report measures of cocaine use. Overall, these results support the utility of a BACD for assessing cocaine demand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin H Yoon
- Louis A. Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cassidy RN, Long V, Tidey JW, Colby SM. Validation of an E-cigarette Purchase Task in Advanced Generation Device Users. Nicotine Tob Res 2020; 22:1851-1859. [PMID: 32267947 PMCID: PMC7542643 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntaa060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Behavioral economic purchase tasks are used to estimate the reinforcing value of drugs by asking participants how much they would purchase across a range of increasing prices. We sought to validate such a task for e-cigarettes in experienced users of advanced generation, tank-style devices. METHODS Dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes (N = 54) and exclusive e-cigarette users (N = 59) attended one session during which they completed assessments including two versions of the E-cigarette Purchase Task: one that asked how many puffs of their e-cigarette they would purchase in 24 hours at varying prices and one that asked how many mLs of e-liquid they would purchase. We correlated purchase task outcomes with other measures of e-cigarette use. We also compared the tasks across dual and exclusive users. RESULTS Indices derived from the mLs-based task were more likely to be correlated with self-reported use rates, e-cigarette dependence, and cotinine levels than the puffs-based task. Exclusive users showed greater demand on than dual users only on the mLs version when using an F-test comparison method, while multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) results showed that dual users showed greater demand only on the puffs task. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that the mLs version had greater validity than the puffs version in terms of clinical indices. Dual users may still be on a trajectory to fully switching to e-cigarettes; thus, puffs as a measure may be more intuitive, as this measure is shared by cigarettes and e-cigarettes. For exclusive users, the unit they purchase their e-liquid in may be the most relevant unit and better capture their demand for that product. IMPLICATIONS Behavioral economic purchase tasks have been widely used to understand nicotine use. We have developed two versions of a purchase task for e-cigarette use and compared the two versions in users of advanced generation e-cigarette devices. We found that the mLs version of the task better-reflected use patterns relative to a puffs version, which suggests that participants struggle to place monetary value on a unit of consumption (ie, puffs). Validated measures of e-cigarette reinforcement will be important as researchers and regulators determine which features of these products contribute to reinforcing efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N Cassidy
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Victoria Long
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Jennifer W Tidey
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Suzanne M Colby
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI
| |
Collapse
|