Synthetic cannabinoid use and the acquired preparedness model

Abstract

Introduction •Synthetic cannabinoids are products which are smoked recreationally and contain cannabinoid agonists. They have been shown to cause a number of adverse physiological and psychological effects. Synthetic cannabinoid use in adults in the general U.S. population has been largely unexplored, and there is little information surrounding theoretical mechanisms surrounding synthetic cannabinoid use. The current study investigated the relationship between impulsivity, Positive Outcome Expectancies, and frequency of synthetic cannabinoid use. As an exploratory aim, analyses were repeated on a subsample of individuals with co-use of synthetic cannabinoids and cannabis, and results were compared to the full sample.

•Methods Data were collected using Qualtrics. 232 participants who endorsed past year use of synthetic cannabinoids were recruited for the study. Psychometric analyses were performed on the impulsivity and outcome expectancy scales. Mediation analyses were performed to examine the relationship between impulsivity, Positive Outcome Expectancies, and frequency of synthetic cannabinoid use. Analyses were repeated in a sample of individuals who co-use synthetic cannabinoids and cannabis and were compared to the full study sample.

•Results The mean age of the sample was 41 years old and 62.9% identified as male. A majority of the sample were White race, heterosexual, and employed full time. The mean frequency of synthetic cannabinoid use was 83 days in the past year and 10.5 days in the past month. The most reported reasons for synthetic cannabinoid use were management of stress and anxiety and pain relief. All scales were found to have at least good reliability. Greater sensation seeking was significantly associated with higher frequency of synthetic cannabinoid use. Positive outcome expectancies were not significantly associated with frequency of synthetic cannabinoid use and did not mediate the relationship between any measure of impulsivity and frequency of synthetic cannabinoid use. Exploratory analyses revealed nearly identical results when compared to the full sample.

•Conclusions There was a significant positive association between sensation seeking and frequency of past-year synthetic cannabinoid use. Positive outcome expectancies were not associated with frequency of synthetic cannabinoid use and did not mediate the relationship between any facet of impulsivity and synthetic cannabinoid use.