# Exploring the antecendents and consequences of cannabis use in the context of coping: An experimental study

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO · 2024 · $188,039

## Abstract

As cannabis legalization increases, there have been concurrent increases in use. A common reason for use is
the mitigation of anxiety and stress, which has been exacerbated with the COVID-19 pandemic. However,
cannabis use for coping purposes is associated with greater quantity and frequency (Q/F) of cannabis use,
increased risk for cannabis-related problems, and greater likelihood for cannabis dependence. In turn, greater
Q/F of cannabis use and dependence can lead to safety risks, mental/physical health issues, and other
problems like greater Q/F of alcohol use. Thus, developing a greater understanding of cannabis use for coping
purposes is a critical research endeavor. There are several important avenues of research that can inform our
understanding of this use pattern. The first is examining if quantity of cannabis is actually increased when used
for coping purposes, which has not yet been experimentally tested, as well as exploring factors that may
moderate this effect (e.g., social anxiety and inhibitory control). A second avenue is investigating whether
cannabis use actually mitigates stress. A third avenue is exploring the biological role of the endocannabinoid
system as a mechanism by which cannabis use may relate to acute stress reduction as well as the role of
cannabinoid content in this process. Specifically, research shows that the endocannabinoid, arachidonoyl
ethanolamide (AEA), is negatively associated with anxiety and stress such that it may mediate the relationship
between cannabis use and stress reduction. Because the two main cannabis constituents, 9-delta
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), are associated with disparate effects on AEA, they may
differentially influence how cannabis use relates to stress. In particular, CBD may actually decrease stress
compared to THC via greater effects on AEA production. This study proposes to examine these research
questions with four aims. The first will experimentally test a causal relationship between cannabis use for
coping purposes and quantity of cannabis use (i.e., if more cannabis is used after stress induction compared to
a control condition among individuals who endorse cannabis use for coping purposes). The second will test if
the relationship between stress and cannabis use is stronger for individuals with social anxiety and/or poorer
inhibitory control. The third will test if cannabis use after stress is related to decreases in subjective and
objective stress. The fourth will ask whether decreases in stress are mediated via increased AEA, and if this
indirect relationship is stronger with greater CBD to THC product ratios. Knowledge gained from this study will
have significant public health impact including aiding in intervention and prevention efforts for cannabis misuse
and contributing data on the harm reduction potential of CBD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10808782
- **Project number:** 1K01DA058152-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
- **Principal Investigator:** Carillon Joy Skrzynski
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $188,039
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10808782

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10808782, Exploring the antecendents and consequences of cannabis use in the context of coping: An experimental study (1K01DA058152-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10808782. Licensed CC0.

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