Reactivity to in vivo marijuana cues among cannabis-dependent adolescents

IntroductionCannabis dependence is a common but poorly understood condition in adolescents. Marijuana craving has been posited as a potential contributing factor to continued use and relapse, but relatively few studies have focused on the measurement of craving and reactivity to marijuana cues. The present work sought to explore reactivity to marijuana cues within this age group.MethodsThirty treatment-seeking cannabis-dependent adolescents (age 13–20) completed a cue reactivity session, consisting of exposure to and manipulation of in vivo marijuana cues (“joint” and lighter) and matching neutral cues (pencil and eraser), in counterbalanced order. Subjective craving and physiological reactivity were assessed.ResultsParticipants demonstrated increased craving and skin conductance reactivity in response to marijuana cues, relative to neutral cues.ConclusionIn vivo marijuana cues appear to elicit significant subjective and physiological reactivity among treatment-seeking cannabis-dependent adolescents. Further work is needed with a larger sample and with a wider variety of cues.

Research Highlights
► Little is known about biobehavioral mechanisms underlying adolescent marijuana use.
► Cannabis-dependent adolescents demonstrate reactivity to in vivo marijuana-related cues.
► The cue reactivity paradigm may be used to further explore craving in adolescent marijuana users.