Wearables and real-time prompts to understand how cannabis relates to depression

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project follows young adults as they wear sensors and complete momentary questionnaires to map patterns between cannabis use, sleep quality, mood, and depressive symptoms over time. Researchers will collect real-world data to identify how short-term cannabis effects on sleep and mood translate into longer-term risks for depression. The study focuses on mechanisms like sleep disruption and negative mood states as potential links between cannabis use and depressive episodes. Participants will contribute health information in daily life, which may lead to personalized guidance in the future.

Why it matters

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.

• 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.

  NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-11395269

• 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.

  NIH research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · Dallas, United States · NIH-11392064

• 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.

  NIH research Brown University · Providence, United States · NIH-11247900

• Exploring how cannabis use affects depression in young adults

  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.

  NIH research Brown University · Providence, United States · NIH-11247769

• 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.

  NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-11179270

• 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.

  NIH research University of Miami School of Medicine · Coral Gables, United States · NIH-11047247

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.