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Physical activity and cannabis cessation
Author(s) -
Irons Jessica G.,
Babson Kimberly A.,
Bergeria Cecilia L.,
BonnMiller Marcel O.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2014.12135.x
Subject(s) - cannabis , smoking cessation , medicine , physical activity , psychological intervention , psychiatry , veterans affairs , prospective cohort study , psychology , demography , physical therapy , pathology , sociology
Background and Objectives Based on recent empirical and theoretical work suggesting that physical activity (PA) activates many of the same physiological systems as cannabis, the present study sought to investigate the impact of PA level (ie, low [including none] vs. moderate/high) on a cannabis cessation attempt during the first 7 days post‐quit. Methods The present study was a 2 time‐point prospective study of 84 cannabis dependent military veterans (3 female) who responded to study flyers, within a Veterans Affairs Medical Center, seeking individuals interested in engaging in a self‐guided cessation attempt. All study measures were self‐report. Results Though no baseline differences between those with low and those with moderate/high levels of physical activity were observed, results revealed that participants who reported low levels of physical activity, versus moderate/high levels, were significantly more likely to report a cannabis lapse during the week following a quit attempt, particularly within the first 4 days of the cessation period. Further, individuals with low levels of PA were also more likely to report greater mean cannabis use during the first 4 days of the cessation period. Conclusions and Scientific Significance Findings suggest that early interventions aimed at increasing physical activity may be useful among individuals with cannabis dependence who are engaged in a cessation attempt. (Am J Addict 2014;23:485–492)