Understanding how cannabis use affects depression and suicidal thoughts in adolescents
Official title: Characterizing Proximal Risk for Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation with Acute Cannabis Use and Withdrawal Among Adolescents Using Ecological Momentary Assessment
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11123455 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using cannabis might affect feelings of sadness and thoughts about suicide in teens aged 12 to 18, by checking in with them through their smartphones over two weeks to see how their mood changes with their cannabis use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $762,101 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA054145-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123455 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 18 who use cannabis daily or nearly every day and are experiencing current depression and suicidal thoughts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use cannabis or who are not experiencing depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between cannabis use and the emergence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among adolescents aged 12 to 18. By using real-time smartphone monitoring, the study aims to capture how changes in cannabis use impact mood and suicidal thoughts over short periods. Participants will be monitored for two weeks while they continue their usual cannabis use, allowing researchers to analyze the effects of intoxication and withdrawal on their mental health. The goal is to identify critical moments when adolescents are at higher risk for negative mood changes and suicidal thoughts, which can inform better treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for adolescents struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts related to cannabis use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown significant associations between cannabis use and mental health issues in adolescents, but this study aims to explore these relationships in a novel, real-time context.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schuster, Randi Melissa — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Schuster, Randi Melissa
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How short-term cannabis use and withdrawal affect teen mood and suicidal thoughts
Teens who use cannabis daily and have recent depression or suicidal thoughts will use a smartphone app that records their mood and cannabis use to link moments of use or withdrawal with increases in sadness or suicidal thinking.
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A randomized, placebo-controlled trial tests whether hemp-derived CBD can help adults who mainly use high-potency cannabis concentrates reduce their cannabis use.
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A research project follows young adult sexual minorities to see how daily stress and coping help explain cannabis use and related problems.
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This grant studies how cannabis use and schizophrenia together affect a brain receptor (CB1) and what that could mean for memory and symptoms.
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Cannabis policies and prenatal cannabis use: how laws affect moms and babies
This grant studies how changes in recreational cannabis laws influence cannabis use during pregnancy and health outcomes for mothers and children.
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Genetic, Social, and Environmental Factors Shaping Early Cannabis Use in Youth
A study with young people will look at how genes, surroundings, and behavior come together to predict who might start using cannabis early and how to prevent it.
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.