Leveraging user perspectives for insight into cannabis concentrates.
Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg, Melissa J Krauss, Shaina J Sowles, Glennon M Floyd, Elizabeth S Cahn, Veronica L Chaitan, Marisel Ponton
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 2018 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2018.1436179 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional online survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 234 |
| Population | Young adults aged 18-35 years who had used cannabis concentrates at least once in the past 6 months, recruited via SurveyMonkey Audience (27.9% female) |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Cannabis concentrates Online survey Young adult |
| Key findings | Among 234 young adult concentrate users, 27.8% reported frequent use (10 or more days in the past month), and frequent use was more likely among those using for medical purposes or living in legal-use states. Most (64.2%) reported no potentially serious side effects, but altered reality/confusion (23.3%), rapid heartbeat (11.2%), lung pain (9.9%), and severe paranoia (6.9%) were reported by some. |
Abstract
The US has seen an increase in the popularity of highly concentrated forms of cannabis (hereafter concentrates) and too little is known about the potential risks associated with their use. The present study aims to better understand the patterns and outcomes of concentrates use through the perspectives of young adult users. Participants (N = 234, 27.9% female) aged 18-35 years were recruited using SurveyMonkey Audience® and had ingested concentrates at least once in the past 6 months. They were queried on concentrates use patterns (e.g., frequency, medical/recreational) and the effects experienced after using concentrates (e.g., physiological/psychological, strength/duration). A total of 27.8% of participants reported frequent use of concentrates (≥10 days in past month). Those who used for medical purposes or lived in states where use is legal were more likely to use concentrates frequently. While most (64.2%) did not report experiencing potentially serious side effects, some reported a sense of altered reality/confusion (23.3%), rapid heartbeat (11.2%), lung pain (9.9%) and severe paranoia (6.9%). Among those who used concentrates in the past month (N = 168), 72.6% used concentrates with other cannabis forms, 57.7% used along with alcohol, and 22.6% used with other drugs. Continued research on concentrates use in the US is needed. Research-informed policies that foster safe and responsible use of concentrates are necessary to protect users, especially those who use concentrates frequently, from potential negative side effects.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional study | n = 148 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 600 |
| Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... | 2012 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 337 |