Addiction, Cannabis Abuse, Cannabis Dependence, Cannabis Use, Cannabis Use Disorder, Substance Abuse
Conditions
Keywords
Addiction, cannabis use disorder, Breathwork, Non-ordinary states of consciousness, Non-ordinary experiences, Contemplative practices, Altered states of consciousness, Cannabis
Brief summary
The purpose of this proof-of-concept study is to evaluate the safety, feasibility and acceptability of a breathwork workshop intervention in individuals with cannabis use disorder.
Detailed description
This study will test a 1-week breathwork workshop for treatment-seeking adults with a diagnosis of cannabis use disorder. The intervention consists of an enhanced breathing session with evocative music to facilitate experiencing non-ordinary states of consciousness, in addition to brief therapeutic interventions based on Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention (MBRP). The primary aim is to test the acceptability, feasibility and safety of enhanced breathwork in a therapeutic framework for cannabis use disorder. In addition, the investigators seek to understand the phenomenology of breathwork that may explain any change related to addictive behaviors, as well as biological changes that occur during the breathwork session through heart rate variability and electroencephalography.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALBreathwork workshop
Participants will complete 1.5 hours of breathwork session in addition to a total of 6 hours of brief psychotherapeutic intervention in a span of 1 week. The therapy sessions will occur both before and after the breathing session.
Sponsors
Elias Dakwar
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* 18-70 years of age * Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria for active cannabis use disorder. * Seeking treatment for their cannabis use
Exclusion criteria
* Meets DSM-V criteria for schizophrenia or any psychotic illness or any dissociative disorder (Dissociative identity disorder, Dissociative amnesia, Depersonalization/derealization disorder). * Active substance use disorder except for cannabis, nicotine, and caffeine. * History of severe withdrawal symptoms (i.e withdrawal seizures). * History of dementia, epilepsy or seizures, cardiac arrhythmia, pacemaker/defibrillator, heart failure, asthma, panic disorder and other respiratory illnesses (ie: COPD).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptability of the breathwork session | One week after the breathing session. | Acceptability of the breathwork intervention through self-reported questionnaires. |
| Safety of the breathing session | 24 hours after the breathing session. | Occurrence of adverse effects through a self-reported questionnaire. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in cannabis use | From baseline to 1 month after the breathing session. | Changes in cannabis use as measured by the Timeline Followback. |
| Phenomenology of breathwork #1 | 24 hours after the breathing session | Subjective experiences during the breathing session will be assessed with the 30-item Mystical Experience Questionnaire. |
| Change in Motivation to Quit | From baseline to 1 month after the breathing session. | Measured with the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale. |
| Heart Rate Variability | Measured during breathing session | Polar (H10) chest strap |
| Electroencephalographic changes | Measured during breathing session | Electroencephalograpy cap |
| Phenomenology of breathwork #2 | Obtained 24 hours after the breathing session | Subjective experiences during the breathing session will be assessed with the Emotional Breakthrough Inventory. |
| Change in Cue Reactivity | From baseline to 1 month after the breathing session. | Serial visual analogue scale for craving elicited by cannabis use. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed