Advertising Claims for Anxiety and Depression
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial examines how online cannabis ads affect buying habits, particularly among individuals experiencing anxiety or depression. It investigates whether claims about cannabis aiding mental health increase purchase intent and if warnings about potential negative effects alter decisions. Participants will shop in a simulated online store featuring various ads to determine what influences their choices. Individuals who occasionally use cannabis and experience anxiety or depression symptoms may be well-suited for this study. The goal is to develop better marketing regulations to protect mental well-being. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could lead to more responsible advertising practices.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.
What prior data suggests that this research method is safe for participants?
Research has shown that claims about cannabis aiding mental health issues like anxiety or depression lack strong support from safety data. Clear evidence proving cannabis's safety or effectiveness for these conditions is absent. This trial examines how cannabis advertising influences buying habits, but it's important to note that cannabis use can sometimes worsen anxiety and depression, especially with heavy use.
Cannabis contains THC, which can impact mental health. Some studies suggest that high THC levels might increase anxiety or depression. Therefore, individuals with anxiety or depression considering cannabis as a treatment should weigh these potential risks. Consulting a healthcare professional before trying new treatments for mental health issues is crucial.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how different advertising claims might impact perceptions of anxiety and depression treatments. Unlike standard care, which often involves medications like SSRIs or therapy, this trial is investigating the power of messaging. The PAC Store focuses on positive claims like "Calming" and "Helps with: Stress," potentially enhancing the perceived benefits of a product. Meanwhile, the WL Store includes warnings about THC's negative effects, which could influence consumer choices differently. This trial could uncover how strategic messaging affects decision-making and treatment outcomes, offering new insights into mental health product marketing.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for anxiety and depression?
This trial will compare different advertising claims related to cannabis products. Research has shown that cannabis is often promoted as helpful for mental health issues like anxiety and depression. However, studies have not consistently proven its effectiveness in treating these conditions. Some evidence suggests that cannabis might temporarily relieve stress and anxiety, but it can also sometimes worsen depression and anxiety, especially when THC (the mind-altering component of cannabis) is involved. The effects vary depending on the individual and their specific mental health situation. Overall, while cannabis might seem to help some people, scientific evidence does not strongly support its use for treating anxiety and depression.678910
Who Is on the Research Team?
Jennifer Emond, PHD
Principal Investigator
Dartmouth College
James Sargent, MD
Principal Investigator
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Alan Budney, PHD
Principal Investigator
Dartmouth College
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for light-to-moderate cannabis users who experience symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Participants will be involved in an online study to simulate shopping for cannabis products, with the aim to understand how advertising affects their purchasing behavior.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Simulated Shopping Task
Participants engage in a simulated online cannabis shopping experience to assess purchasing behaviors influenced by psychotherapeutic advertising claims and mental health warning labels.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for purchasing behaviors and potential changes in mental health symptoms post-simulation.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- PAC
Trial Overview
The study tests if psychotherapeutic advertising claims (PAC) increase online cannabis purchases and whether mental health warning labels (WL) can reduce this effect. It uses a digital platform to mimic a shopping experience across four different types of online stores with variations in PAC and WL content.
How Is the Trial Designed?
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Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
The WL Store includes CC plus a WL about the negative impact of THC on anxiety and depression.
The PAC Store includes CC plus claims about a product's mental health effects (e.g., 'Calming') and symptom relief (e.g., 'Helps with: Stress').
The PAC+WL Store includes PACs, WL, and CC.
The Control Claims (CC) store only includes claims about neutral product attributes (e.g., activation time and batch number).
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Trustees of Dartmouth College
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborator
Citations
Pharmacotherapy for Depression and Anxiety in the Primary ...
This report provides evidence-based guidance for initiation, titration, and discontinuation of pharmacotherapy for mild to moderate depression and anxiety in ...
The Effects of Primary Care Depression Treatment on ...
At six months, patients with appropriate care, compared to those without it, had lower rates of depressive disorder (24 percent versus 70 percent), better ...
Positive aspects of caregiving attenuate the relationship ...
PAC was found to be associated with less mood symptoms partly directly and partly through modifying the effect of behavioral bother on depression and anxiety.
Effectiveness of health checkup with depression screening ...
This study aimed to use real-world data to assess the effectiveness of depression screening among middle-aged and older adults.
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systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com
systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-024-02565-6The effectiveness of e-mental health interventions on stress ...
A large effect on relieving stress and anxiety and a small-to-medium effect on reducing depression were observed. Subgroup analyses showed that ...
Americans Express Worry Over Personal Safety in Annual ...
The results of an annual poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association show that 70% of US adults say they feel anxious or extremely anxious about ...
The relationship between safety measures, preparedness ...
This study investigated the impact of safety measures and preparedness levels on mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, USA
Rapid and long-lasting antidepressant-like effects of the ...
A single administration of PA-915 attenuated anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in SUS mice after repeated exposure to SDS. We examined ...
Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Among Adults With ...
Approximately 40% of adults with chronic pain had clinically significant depression and anxiety, based on data from 415 samples representing 347 ...
10.
connect.mayoclinic.org
connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/long-term-pac-and-pvc-suffer-need-your-support-and-guidance/Long Term PAC and PVC Suffer. Need your support and ...
I have been dealing with PVCs and PACs for almost 20 years. They flare up once per year usually. I have had Zio Patch monitors, tons of EKGs, a stress echo ...
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