Mindfulness-Based Therapy Showed Promising But Not Significant Results for Cannabis Reduction

There was no significant difference between MBRP and treatment-as-usual groups on primary and secondary endpoints. However, among participants who attended all MBRP sessions, cannabis units consumed decreased significantly from week 1 to 8 (p<0.05), while the TAU group showed no significant reduction. After treatment (weeks 8-12), the MBRP group's consumption increased by 1.5 units compared to 3.4 in the TAU group, suggesting more durable effects.

Randomized clinical trial (MACBETH project) comparing mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP, N=20) to treatment as usual (TAU, N=20) for active cannabis users in France over 12 weeks.

Current cannabis cessation therapies are only moderately effective. Mindfulness-based approaches offer a non-pharmacological alternative that could be particularly appealing to people who prefer psychotherapy over medication. While this pilot study didn't reach significance, the trends suggest mindfulness deserves further investigation.

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention was originally developed for alcohol and substance use disorders and has shown promise in those areas. Adapting it for cannabis users is logical given the overlap between stress, craving, and relapse. The better treatment adherence in the MBRP group suggests the approach is engaging and acceptable to cannabis users.

Very small sample (N=40) underpowered to detect between-group differences. No significant primary outcome. Open-label design. Active cannabis users, not necessarily treatment-seeking. French single-site study. No long-term follow-up beyond 12 weeks.