Savoring as an intervention for cannabis use: acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary results

Abstract

Although savoring appears protective against cannabis problems, researchers have yet to apply it to reduce cannabis-related harms. Study I surveyed a large (N = 557, M_age = 36.9, 50.1% Male, 73% White) sample who rated a hypothetical savoring intervention as feasible and acceptable; those who savored more reported fewer cannabis problems, less use, and less intoxication. Study II, a pilot experiment (N = 26, M_age = 18, 34.6% Male, 42% White), randomly assigned participants to either a week-long savoring intervention (n = 15) or control group (n = 11). Savorers reported moderate to large decreases across time in cannabis use, amount consumed, and intoxication as well as increases in happiness and negative cannabis expectancies. Both studies suggest that savoring can reduce use and protect against negative outcomes. These preliminary findings suggest that further work to examine the efficacy of savoring as an intervention for substance use appears warranted.

Keywords:

• Cannabis
• marijuana
• harm reduction
• savoring
• mindfulness
• positive psychology

Authors note

The authors have no affiliation with any organization with a direct or indirect financial interest in the subject matter discussed in the manuscript.

Ethical statement

The study was approved by an institutional review board.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded through a Professional Development Grant by the Graduate Student Association of University at Albany. Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Award Number T32DA007250. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.