Exploring how cannabis use affects depression in young adults
Official title: Using wearables and EMA to examine the links between cannabis and depression
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11247769 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using cannabis might help young adults and those facing tough situations feel better in the short term when they're feeling down, but could also affect their mental health in the long run, using cool gadgets to track their habits and feelings in real time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $239,201 |
| NIH project number | 2P20GM130414-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247769 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults who use cannabis and experience symptoms of depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use cannabis or do not experience depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between cannabis use and depression, particularly focusing on young adults and disadvantaged individuals. It aims to understand how cannabis may provide short-term relief from depressive symptoms while potentially worsening long-term mental health outcomes. The study will utilize wearable technology and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to gather real-time data on participants' cannabis use, sleep patterns, and emotional states. By examining these factors, the research seeks to uncover the complex mechanisms linking cannabis use and depression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment strategies for managing depression in individuals who use cannabis.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research on this specific approach, previous studies have shown varying results regarding the relationship between cannabis use and mental health outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sokolovsky, Alexander William — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Sokolovsky, Alexander William
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Wearables and real-time prompts to understand how cannabis relates to depression
A young adults study uses wearable devices and daily mood checks to explore how cannabis use and sleep affect depression.
-
Understanding how cannabis use and genes change the brain to increase depression risk
A research project at Yale is exploring how cannabis use might change specific brain cells and genes, potentially making people more vulnerable to depression.
-
Advancing Pregnenolone as a Therapy for Cannabis Use Disorder with Depression
A study tests pregnenolone as a therapy for adults who have both cannabis use disorder and depression and aims to reduce cannabis use and improve mood.
-
Wearables and real-time surveys to explore cannabis use and depression in young adults
This project uses wearable devices and short, real-time surveys to see how cannabis use, daily mood, and sleep relate in young adults with depression.
-
How gene changes tied to cannabis use and depression affect the brain
This project looks for molecular changes in brain tissue from people with cannabis use disorder or major depression to link cannabis exposure with biological changes that may raise depression risk.
-
Understanding how cannabis use affects depression in young people living with HIV.
This study is looking at how using cannabis might affect feelings of depression in young adults aged 18-34 who are living with HIV, and it aims to understand how this relates to the way the brain processes rewards and pain, which could help find better ways to treat depression.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.