Real-Time Text Messages Did Not Reduce Cannabis Craving in Young Adults | Research

The takeaway

In a 4-week microrandomized trial, neither mindfulness nor distraction coping messages delivered at moments of craving reduced cannabis craving compared to control messages in 53 young adults.

digital health intervention developers, cannabis craving researchers, substance use treatment innovators

What the researchers found

Both mindfulness and distraction coping messages failed to reduce craving at the next assessment relative to control (thank you) messages, with no significant change in efficacy over time. However, the trial demonstrated excellent feasibility of the EMA-based intervention approach, with high engagement over 4 weeks.

Why it matters

Despite the null result, this study pioneers a method for testing real-time digital interventions for substance use craving. The approach can rapidly screen many intervention strategies for just-in-time adaptive interventions.

The numbers in context

53 participants over 4 weeks. High EMA completion rates. Neither mindfulness nor distraction reduced craving vs. control. No change in efficacy over time. Feasibility demonstrated.

How the study worked

Microrandomized trial of 53 young adults who regularly use cannabis. Over 4 weeks, participants reported craving via ecological momentary assessment. When moderate-to-severe craving was reported, they were randomly assigned to receive a mindfulness strategy, distraction strategy, or control message.

What this study cannot tell us

Small sample size (53). Brief text messages may be too minimal an intervention. No measure of whether messages were actually read or strategies attempted. 4-week period may be too short. Young adult cannabis users may not represent all populations.

How to read the evidence

Novel trial design with feasibility demonstrated, but small sample and null result provide preliminary evidence only.

When this study was published

Recently published microrandomized trial.

The bigger picture

The null result suggests that brief text-based coping messages may not be sufficient to override cannabis craving in the moment. More intensive or personalized interventions may be needed, though the delivery platform itself shows promise.

Questions still open

Would more intensive or personalized in-the-moment interventions reduce craving?
Could combining coping messages with other supports (e.g., chatbot interaction) improve outcomes?

Common questions

Can text messages help with cannabis cravings?

In this study, brief mindfulness and distraction text messages did not reduce craving when delivered in the moment. More intensive interventions may be needed.

What is a microrandomized trial?

A trial design where participants are randomly assigned to different interventions at many timepoints throughout the day, allowing researchers to test what works in specific moments rather than over entire treatment periods.

Read the original research

Momentary mindfulness versus distraction coping messages to reduce cannabis craving among young adults: A microrandomized trial.

Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 39(2), 200-211

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Stanger, Catherine; Anderson, Molly A B; Xie, Haiyi; Nnaka, Tonychris; Budney, Alan J; Qian, Tianchen; Yap, Jamie R T; Nahum-Shani, Inbal. (2025). Momentary mindfulness versus distraction coping messages to reduce cannabis craving among young adults: A microrandomized trial.. Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 39(2), 200-211. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0001029