Among 68 young cannabis users aged 15-24, motivational counseling combined with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) increased mindful attention at 3-month follow-up, and higher momentary mindfulness was associated with lower cannabis desire and negative affect.
Adolescent addiction clinicians, mindfulness researchers, mHealth intervention designers.
Higher momentary mindfulness was linked to 52% lower cannabis desire
What the researchers found
Momentary mindful awareness (MAA) increased from baseline to follow-up in the counseling + EMA group (beta=0.237) but not in counseling alone. Higher momentary MAA was associated with lower negative affect (beta=-0.526) and cannabis desire (beta=-0.521) but not positive affect.
Why it matters
This suggests that the act of regularly checking in on one's own mental state (EMA) may itself be therapeutic by increasing mindful awareness. The strong inverse associations between mindfulness and cannabis desire point to mindfulness as a treatment target.
The numbers in context
N=68 participants, 1,971 EMA reports. MAA increase with MET+EMA: beta=0.237. MAA-negative affect: beta=-0.526. MAA-cannabis desire: beta=-0.521. Age range: 15-24.
How the study worked
Randomized trial of outpatients aged 15-24 using cannabis 3+ times/week, assigned to MET counseling with/without EMA follow-up. 1,971 EMA reports from 68 participants analyzed. Momentary mindfulness, affect, and cannabis desire assessed at baseline and 3-month follow-up.
What this study cannot tell us
Small sample. Cannot distinguish EMA effect from additional contact/attention. Associations between MAA and desire are correlational within persons. 3-month follow-up is relatively short. Not all participants used cannabis for the same reasons.
How to read the evidence
Randomized trial with ecological momentary assessment. Modest sample but strong within-person associations.
When this study was published
Published in 2023.
The bigger picture
Ecological momentary assessment is usually seen as a research tool, but this study suggests it may also be an intervention. Simply prompting people to notice their current state may build the mindfulness skills that reduce craving.
Questions still open
- Would a mindfulness-focused smartphone app replicate the EMA mindfulness-building effect?
- Does the mindfulness-desire association translate to actual reductions in cannabis use?
Common questions
Can mindfulness help with cannabis cravings?
Does tracking your mood reduce cannabis use?
Read the original research
Associations of Momentary Mindfulness With Affect and Cannabis Desire in a Trial of Cannabis Use Interventions With and Without Momentary Assessment.
The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 72(1), 126-129
Citation
Shrier, Lydia A; Harris, Sion Kim. (2023). Associations of Momentary Mindfulness With Affect and Cannabis Desire in a Trial of Cannabis Use Interventions With and Without Momentary Assessment.. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 72(1), 126-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.09.002
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