Breathwork for Cannabis Use Disorder

Overseen By Silvia J Franco Corso, M.D

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Elias Dakwar

Disqualifiers: Schizophrenia, Psychotic illness, Epilepsy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a breathwork workshop to assist individuals with cannabis use disorder. Researchers aim to determine if participants find the workshop safe and easy to follow. They seek individuals actively trying to reduce or stop cannabis use and who have been diagnosed with cannabis use disorder. However, those with severe mental health issues, heart problems, or respiratory illnesses may not qualify for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore new methods for managing cannabis use disorder.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have conditions like schizophrenia, epilepsy, or heart issues, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this breathwork workshop is safe for individuals with cannabis use disorder?

Research has shown that breathwork workshops are generally safe, with studies finding no major negative effects from breathwork exercises. This therapy uses special breathing techniques and music, making it a non-invasive method that does not involve surgery or entering the body.

Breathwork is often used in wellness and mental health settings and is usually well-tolerated by participants. Those who have tried it have not reported significant negative side effects. Since this study is in the early stages, the researchers are focusing on whether the breathwork workshop is safe and practical for people with cannabis use disorder.

Overall, breathwork is considered a safe option. It is important to discuss any concerns or medical conditions with the study team before joining the trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using breathwork as a treatment for cannabis use disorder because it offers a natural, non-pharmacological approach. Unlike standard treatments, which often involve counseling or medications like naltrexone or bupropion, breathwork focuses on harnessing the power of controlled breathing techniques to help individuals manage cravings and reduce stress. This holistic method is appealing because it empowers individuals to take an active role in their recovery without the need for medication. Additionally, it promises a quicker and more accessible alternative, potentially delivering benefits within just a week of practice.

What evidence suggests that this breathwork workshop is effective for cannabis use disorder?

Research has shown that breathwork can be a useful tool for managing cannabis use disorder. Early results suggest that this simple method aids recovery with minimal professional assistance. In this trial, participants will engage in a breathwork workshop, which encourages relaxation and awareness, potentially reducing cravings and enhancing self-control. This method offers a promising option for those aiming to reduce or quit cannabis use. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Silvia J Franco Corso, M.D

Principal Investigator

New York State Psychiatric Institute/ Columbia University Medical Center

Elias Dakwar, M.D

Principal Investigator

New York State Psychiatric Institute/ Columbia University Medical Center

Kate O'Malley, M.A

Principal Investigator

New York State Psychiatric Institute/ Columbia University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-70 who are seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder as defined by the DSM-V. It's not open to individuals with active substance use disorders (other than cannabis, nicotine, or caffeine), psychotic illnesses, dissociative disorders, severe withdrawal history, dementia, epilepsy or seizures, cardiac issues like arrhythmia or heart failure, asthma, panic disorder or other respiratory illnesses.

Inclusion Criteria

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

I have no history of dementia, epilepsy, severe heart or respiratory conditions.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Breathwork Workshop

Participants engage in a 1-week breathwork workshop with enhanced breathing sessions and therapeutic interventions

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the breathwork session

4 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Breathwork workshop

Trial Overview

The study is testing a breathwork workshop intervention to see if it's safe and helpful for people struggling with cannabis use disorder. The goal is to assess whether this approach could be a feasible and acceptable treatment option.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Breathwork group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Treatment-seeking individuals with cannabis use disorder who will participate in the 1-week breathwork workshop.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Elias Dakwar

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

10+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials involving 2,027 participants found that behavioral therapies (BTs) significantly improve outcomes for cannabis use disorders compared to control conditions, with an effect size of 0.44, indicating that patients receiving BTs fared better than 66% of those in control groups.

Behavioral therapies were effective in reducing both the frequency and severity of cannabis use, as well as improving psychosocial functioning, with larger effect sizes observed in studies using waitlist controls compared to those with active control comparisons.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Behavioral therapies for treatment-seeking cannabis users: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Davis, ML., Powers, MB., Handelsman, P., et al.[2022]

A randomized controlled trial involving 60 cannabis users with high distress intolerance showed that a Distress Tolerance Intervention (DTI) led to greater reductions in cannabis use frequency compared to a healthy habits control intervention.

Both interventions resulted in significant reductions in distress intolerance and cannabis use outcomes, suggesting that while the DTI may be beneficial, its effects were largely similar to the control condition, indicating it could serve as an additional support rather than a standalone treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a computerized intervention for high distress intolerance on cannabis use outcomes: A randomized controlled trial. Macatee, RJ., Albanese, BJ., Okey, SA., et al.[2022]

Only about 20% of individuals undergoing treatment for cannabis dependence achieve long-term abstinence, highlighting the need for more effective and accessible treatment options.

Psychotherapeutic strategies, especially combination therapies that include motivational interventions and behavioral skills training, have shown larger effect sizes for cannabis dependence compared to other substance use disorders, indicating their potential effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

State of the art treatments for cannabis dependence. Danovitch, I., Gorelick, DA.[2021]

A study involving 186 adults with problematic cannabis use found that a self-directed treatment workbook combined with a single motivational interviewing session significantly reduced cannabis use frequency and increased abstinence rates at the 3-month follow-up compared to a workbook alone or a delayed treatment control.

The results suggest that this low-intensity intervention can effectively support individuals seeking recovery with minimal professional help, addressing a gap in treatment options for cannabis use disorder.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting self-change in cannabis use disorder: Findings from a randomized trial. Schluter, MG., Hodgins, DC., Stea, JN., et al.[2022]

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Breathwork for Cannabis Use Disorder · Info for Participants

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