Characterizing smoking topography of cannabis in heavy users

Abstract

Rationale Little is known about the smoking topography characteristics of heavy cannabis users. Such measures may be able to predict cannabis use-related outcomes and could be used to validate self-reported measures of cannabis use. Objectives The current study was conducted to measure cannabis smoking topography characteristics during periods of ad libitum use and to correlate topography assessments with measures of self-reported cannabis use, withdrawal and craving during abstinence, and cognitive task performance. Methods Participants (N=20) completed an inpatient study in which they alternated between periods of ad libitum cannabis use and abstinence. Measures of self-reported cannabis use, smoking topography, craving, withdrawal, and sleep measures were collected. Results Participants smoked with greater intensity (e.g., greater volume, longer duration) on initial cigarette puffs with a steady decline on subsequent puffs. Smoking characteristics were significantly correlated with severity of withdrawal, notably sleep quality and architecture, and craving during abstinence, suggesting dose-related effects of cannabis use on these outcomes. Smoking characteristics generally were not significantly associated with cognitive performance. Smoking topography measures were significantly correlated with self-reported measures of cannabis use, indicating validity of these assessments, but topography measures were more sensitive than self-report in predicting cannabis-related outcomes. Conclusions A dose–effect relationship between cannabis consumption and outcomes believed to be clinically important was observed. With additional research, smoking topography assessments may become a useful clinical tool.

Phase I and II Cannabinoid Disposition in Blood and Plasma of Occasional and Frequent Smokers Following Controlled Smoked Cannabis

“…Lee et al (20 ) previously reported that chronic fre- quent smokers receiving oral THC developed tolerance and required significantly more smoked cannabis to achieve similar levels of "high," supporting our hypothesis that frequent smokers may inhale significantly more cannabis to achieve a desired effect. Furthermore, others documented that a longer history of frequent cannabis intake correlated with total volume of cannabis smoke inhaled per cigarette, higher average smoke volume per puff, longer average puff duration, and faster puff velocity (21 ). In our study, participants smoked ad libitum, possibly leading to even greater interindividual differences in smoking topography.…”

A systematic review and analysis of data reduction techniques for the CReSS smoking topography device

“…The majority of studies (Ashare et al, 2012;Blank et al, 2009;Grainge et al, 2009;Hammond et al, 2005;June et al, 2011;June et al, 2012;McClure et al, 2012;McKee et al, 2006;McKee et al, 2011;O'Connor et al, 2007;O'Connor et al, 2010;Perkins et al, 2011;Rees et al, 2008;Veilleux et al, 2011;Williams et al, 2011) took an average of all puffs collected. This method offers the most complete representation of smoking behaviour and exposure to harmful elements of tobacco smoke, but is intolerant to the incorrect use of the device.…”

“…From the studies retained (n = 23), specific data reduction and exclusion criteria were provided in nine (Hammond, Fong, Cummings, & Hyland, 2005;King, McNamara, Conrad, & Cao, 2009;McKee et al, 2006;McKee et al, 2011;O'Connor et al, 2007;Perkins et al, 2011;Veilleux et al, 2011;Williams et al, 2011) and four (Grainge, Shahab, Hammond, O'Connor, & McNeill, 2009;McClure, Stitzer, & Vandrey, 2012;Muhammad-Kah et al, 2011;Williams et al, 2011) manuscripts, respectively. It was clearly stated in 11 (Blank, Disharoon, & Eissenberg, 2009;Faulkner et al, 2010;Grainge et al, 2009;Hammond et al, 2005;Hogarth, Dickinson, & Duka, 2010;June et al, 2011;June, Norton, Rees, & O'Connor, 2012;Matsumoto et al, 2013;McKee et al, 2006;Veilleux et al, 2011;Williams et al, 2011) manuscripts that an opportunity for familiarisation and instructions for the CReSS Pocket were provided to 4 articles excluded after reviewing methods section because CReSS Pocket was not employed 11 (of 23) articles stated whether an opportunity for participant familiarization was provided 9 (of 23) manuscripts provided clear, specific data reduction techniques 4 (of 23) manuscripts provided clear, specific data exclusion criteria 3 articles excluded after reviewing methods section because it was unclear what type of smoking topography instrument was employed 23 eligible studies and included in analysis 30 articles that met the following criteria: 1) Retrieved from MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus 2) Published between January 2001 and September 2012 3) Contained the following keywords "smoking topography", "puffing topography", and " CReSS"…”

“…al., 2012;McClure et al, 2012;Muhammad-Kah et al, 2011;O'Connor et al, 2010;Rees, Wayne, & Connolly, 2008), 12(Ashare et al, 2012;Blank et al, 2009;Faulkner et al, 2010;June et al, 2011;June et al, 2012;King et al, 2009;O'Connor et al, 2007;O'Connor et al, 2010; Perkins et al, 2011;Rees et al, 2008; and 10(Ashare et al, 2012;Hammond et al, 2006;King et al, 2009;McClure et al, 2012;O'Connor et al, 2007;O'Connor et al, 2010; Perkins et al, 2011;Rees et al, 2008; Sha- hab et al, 2008; manuscripts, respectively. For a small proportion of manuscripts, corresponding authors were contacted for additional information regarding data reduction (n = 4;Hammond et al, 2006;Hogarth et al, 2010;Matsumoto et al, 2013;Muhammad-Kah et al, 2011), exclusion criteria (n = 8;Hammond et al, 2005;Hammond et al, 2006; Hoga- rth et al, 2010;Matsumoto et al, 2013;McKee et al, 2006;McKee et al, 2011;Muhammad-Kah et al, 2011;Veilleux et al, 2011), or familiarisation with the device (n = 1;McKee et al, 2011).…”

Medical cannabis: considerations for the anesthesiologist and pain physician

“…Vaporization presents several advantages, such as formation of a smaller quantity of toxic byproducts and more efficient extraction of THC from the dried material. 27,28 In addition to dried marijuana, Health Canada has authorized some of the licensed producers to produce fresh marijuana buds and leaves and/or cannabis oil with the intention of permitting their sale in the future. Furthermore, patients who already have a prescription to purchase dried medical marijuana will be permitted to buy fresh marijuana or cannabis oil without an additional prescription.…”