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

10 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a workshop with special breathing exercises and music, along with brief counseling, for adults seeking help for cannabis use disorder. The breathing and music aim to change how participants feel to make behavior change easier, while the counseling helps them stay motivated and avoid relapse.

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Breathwork workshop for Cannabis Use Disorder?

While there is no direct evidence for breathwork workshops specifically for cannabis use disorder, behavioral therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing have shown effectiveness in treating cannabis use disorder. These therapies often include techniques that can be part of breathwork, such as relaxation and mindfulness, which may help reduce cannabis use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the Breathwork workshop treatment different from other treatments for cannabis use disorder?

The Breathwork workshop is unique because it focuses on using controlled breathing techniques to manage cannabis use disorder, unlike traditional treatments that often involve behavioral therapy or motivational interviewing. This approach may help individuals manage stress and cravings without relying on medication, as there are currently no specific drugs approved for treating cannabis dependence. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

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

Eligibility Criteria

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

I am between 18 and 70 years old.

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

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)

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

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 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]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting self-change in cannabis use disorder: Findings from a randomized trial. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Behavioral therapies for treatment-seeking cannabis users: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

State of the art treatments for cannabis dependence. [2021]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Successful and unsuccessful cannabis quitters: comparing group characteristics and quitting strategies. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized controlled trial of zolpidem as a pharmacotherapy for cannabis use disorder. [2023]

6. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Cannabis: Use and dependence]. [2016]

7. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Approach to cannabis use disorder in primary care: focus on youth and other high-risk users. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a computerized intervention for high distress intolerance on cannabis use outcomes: A randomized controlled trial. [2022]

9. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A prototype screening instrument for cannabis use disorder: the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test (CUDIT) in an alcohol-dependent clinical sample. [2019]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The respiratory effects of cannabis dependence in young adults. [2022]