Changes in Cannabis Consumption During the Global COVID-19 Lockdown: The International COVISTRESS Study

Juliette Salles; Antoine Yrondi; Fouad Marhar; Nicolas Andant; Raimundo Avilés Dorlhiac; Binh Quach; Jiao Jiao; Samuel Antunes; Ukadike Chris Ugbolue; Julien Guegan; Karine Rouffiac; Bruno Pereira; The COVISTRESS Network; Maélys Clinchamps; Frederic Dutheil; Stéphanie Mestres; Cécile Miele; Valentin Navel; Lénise Parreira; Yves Boirie; Jean Baptiste Bouillon-Minois; Martine Duclos; Maria Livia Fantini; Jeannot Schmidt; Stéphanie Tubert-Jeannin; Mickael Berthon; Pierre Chausse; Michael Dambrun; Sylvie Droit-Volet; Serge Guimond; Laurie Mondillon; Armelle Nugier; Pascal Huguet; Samuel Dewavrin; Geraldine Naughton; Amanda Benson; Claus Lamm; Karen Gbaglo; Vicky Drapeau; Benjamin Bustos; Yaodong Gu; Haifeng Zhang; Peter Dieckmann; Julien Baker; Yanping Duan; Gemma Gao; Wendy Y.J. Huang; Ka Lai Kelly Lau; Chun Qing Zhang; Perluigi Cocco; Rosamaria Lecca; Monica Puligheddu; Michela Figorilli; Morteza Charkhabi; Reza Bagheri; Daniela Pfabigan; Peter Dieckmann; David Neto; Pedro Almeida; Maria João Gouveia; Pedro Quinteiro; Constanta Urzeala; Benoït Dubuis; Juliette Lemaignen; Andy Liu; Foued Saadaoui; Keri Kulik; Kuan chou Chen

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.689634

Changes in Cannabis Consumption During the Global COVID-19 Lockdown: The International COVISTRESS Study

Juliette Salles^*, Antoine Yrondi, Fouad Marhar, Nicolas Andant, Raimundo Avilés Dorlhiac, Binh Quach, Jiao Jiao, Samuel Antunes, Ukadike Chris Ugbolue, Julien Guegan, Karine Rouffiac, Bruno Pereira, The COVISTRESS Network, Maélys Clinchamps, Frederic Dutheil, Stéphanie Mestres, Cécile Miele, Valentin Navel, Lénise Parreira, Yves BoirieJean Baptiste Bouillon-Minois, Martine Duclos, Maria Livia Fantini, Jeannot Schmidt, Stéphanie Tubert-Jeannin, Mickael Berthon, Pierre Chausse, Michael Dambrun, Sylvie Droit-Volet, Serge Guimond, Laurie Mondillon, Armelle Nugier, Pascal Huguet, Samuel Dewavrin, Geraldine Naughton, Amanda Benson, Claus Lamm, Karen Gbaglo, Vicky Drapeau, Benjamin Bustos, Yaodong Gu, Haifeng Zhang, Peter Dieckmann, Julien Baker, Yanping Duan, Gemma Gao, Wendy Y.J. Huang, Ka Lai Kelly Lau, Chun Qing Zhang, Perluigi Cocco, Rosamaria Lecca, Monica Puligheddu, Michela Figorilli, Morteza Charkhabi, Reza Bagheri, Daniela Pfabigan, Peter Dieckmann, David Neto, Pedro Almeida, Maria João Gouveia, Pedro Quinteiro, Constanta Urzeala, Benoït Dubuis, Juliette Lemaignen, Andy Liu, Foued Saadaoui, Keri Kulik, Kuan chou Chen

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 lockdown measures have been sources of both potential stress and possible psychological and addiction complications. A lack of activity and isolation during lockdown are among the factors thought to be behind the growth in the use of psychoactive substances and worsening addictive behaviors. Previous studies on the pandemic have attested to an increase in alcohol consumption during lockdowns. Likewise, data suggest there has also been a rise in the use of cannabis, although it is unclear how this is affected by external factors. Our study used quantitative data collected from an international population to evaluate changes in cannabis consumption during the lockdown period between March and October, 2020. We also compared users and non-users of the drug in relation to: (1) socio-demographic differences, (2) emotional experiences, and (3) the information available and the degree of approval of lockdown measures. Methods: An online self-report questionnaire concerning the lockdown was widely disseminated around the globe. Data was collected on sociodemographics and how the rules imposed had influenced the use of cannabis and concerns about health, the economic impact of the measures and the approach taken by government(s). Results: One hundred eighty two respondents consumed cannabis before the lockdown vs. 199 thereafter. The mean cannabis consumption fell from 13 joints per week pre-lockdown to 9.75 after it (p < 0.001). Forty-nine respondents stopped using cannabis at all and 66 admitted to starting to do so. The cannabis users were: less satisfied with government measures; less worried about their health; more concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and their career; and more frightened of becoming infected in public areas. The risk factors for cannabis use were: age (OR = 0.96); concern for physical health (OR = 0.98); tobacco (OR = 1.1) and alcohol consumption during lockdown (OR = 1.1); the pre-lockdown anger level (OR = 1.01); and feelings of boredom during the restrictions (OR = 1.1). Conclusion: In a specific sub-population, the COVID-19 lockdown brought about either an end to the consumption of cannabis or new use of the drug. The main risk factors for cannabis use were: a lower age, co-addictions and high levels of emotions.

Original language	English
Article number	689634
Number of pages	9
Journal	Frontiers in Psychiatry
Volume	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.689634
Publication status	Published - 11 Nov 2021

Scopus Subject Areas

Psychiatry and Mental health

User-Defined Keywords

addiction
cannabis (marijuana)
COVID-19
lockdown
tobacco

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.689634

Cite this

Salles, J., Yrondi, A., Marhar, F., Andant, N., Dorlhiac, R. A., Quach, B., Jiao, J., Antunes, S., Ugbolue, U. C., Guegan, J., Rouffiac, K., Pereira, B., The COVISTRESS Network, Clinchamps, M., Dutheil, F., Mestres, S., Miele, C., Navel, V., Parreira, L., ... Chen, K. C. (2021). Changes in Cannabis Consumption During the Global COVID-19 Lockdown: The International COVISTRESS Study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, Article 689634. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.689634

@article{d003bcccc78442068679aa9f2f205e76,

title = "Changes in Cannabis Consumption During the Global COVID-19 Lockdown: The International COVISTRESS Study",

abstract = "Introduction: COVID-19 lockdown measures have been sources of both potential stress and possible psychological and addiction complications. A lack of activity and isolation during lockdown are among the factors thought to be behind the growth in the use of psychoactive substances and worsening addictive behaviors. Previous studies on the pandemic have attested to an increase in alcohol consumption during lockdowns. Likewise, data suggest there has also been a rise in the use of cannabis, although it is unclear how this is affected by external factors. Our study used quantitative data collected from an international population to evaluate changes in cannabis consumption during the lockdown period between March and October, 2020. We also compared users and non-users of the drug in relation to: (1) socio-demographic differences, (2) emotional experiences, and (3) the information available and the degree of approval of lockdown measures. Methods: An online self-report questionnaire concerning the lockdown was widely disseminated around the globe. Data was collected on sociodemographics and how the rules imposed had influenced the use of cannabis and concerns about health, the economic impact of the measures and the approach taken by government(s). Results: One hundred eighty two respondents consumed cannabis before the lockdown vs. 199 thereafter. The mean cannabis consumption fell from 13 joints per week pre-lockdown to 9.75 after it (p < 0.001). Forty-nine respondents stopped using cannabis at all and 66 admitted to starting to do so. The cannabis users were: less satisfied with government measures; less worried about their health; more concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and their career; and more frightened of becoming infected in public areas. The risk factors for cannabis use were: age (OR = 0.96); concern for physical health (OR = 0.98); tobacco (OR = 1.1) and alcohol consumption during lockdown (OR = 1.1); the pre-lockdown anger level (OR = 1.01); and feelings of boredom during the restrictions (OR = 1.1). Conclusion: In a specific sub-population, the COVID-19 lockdown brought about either an end to the consumption of cannabis or new use of the drug. The main risk factors for cannabis use were: a lower age, co-addictions and high levels of emotions.",

keywords = "addiction, cannabis (marijuana), COVID-19, lockdown, tobacco",

author = "Juliette Salles and Antoine Yrondi and Fouad Marhar and Nicolas Andant and Dorlhiac, {Raimundo Avil{\'e}s} and Binh Quach and Jiao Jiao and Samuel Antunes and Ugbolue, {Ukadike Chris} and Julien Guegan and Karine Rouffiac and Bruno Pereira and {The COVISTRESS Network} and Ma{\'e}lys Clinchamps and Frederic Dutheil and St{\'e}phanie Mestres and C{\'e}cile Miele and Valentin Navel and L{\'e}nise Parreira and Yves Boirie and Bouillon-Minois, {Jean Baptiste} and Martine Duclos and Fantini, {Maria Livia} and Jeannot Schmidt and St{\'e}phanie Tubert-Jeannin and Mickael Berthon and Pierre Chausse and Michael Dambrun and Sylvie Droit-Volet and Serge Guimond and Laurie Mondillon and Armelle Nugier and Pascal Huguet and Samuel Dewavrin and Geraldine Naughton and Amanda Benson and Claus Lamm and Karen Gbaglo and Vicky Drapeau and Benjamin Bustos and Yaodong Gu and Haifeng Zhang and Peter Dieckmann and Julien Baker and Yanping Duan and Gemma Gao and Huang, {Wendy Y.J.} and Lau, {Ka Lai Kelly} and Zhang, {Chun Qing} and Perluigi Cocco and Rosamaria Lecca and Monica Puligheddu and Michela Figorilli and Morteza Charkhabi and Reza Bagheri and Daniela Pfabigan and Peter Dieckmann and David Neto and Pedro Almeida and Gouveia, {Maria Jo{\~a}o} and Pedro Quinteiro and Constanta Urzeala and Beno{\"i}t Dubuis and Juliette Lemaignen and Andy Liu and Foued Saadaoui and Keri Kulik and Chen, {Kuan chou}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2021 Salles, Yrondi, Marhar, Andant, Dorlhiac, Quach, Jiao, Antunes, Ugbolue, Guegan, Rouffiac, Pereira, The COVISTRESS Network, Clinchamps and Dutheil.",

year = "2021",

month = nov,

day = "11",

doi = "10.3389/fpsyt.2021.689634",

language = "English",

volume = "12",

journal = "Frontiers in Psychiatry",

issn = "1664-0640",

publisher = "Frontiers Media S.A.",

}

Salles, J, Yrondi, A, Marhar, F, Andant, N, Dorlhiac, RA, Quach, B, Jiao, J, Antunes, S, Ugbolue, UC, Guegan, J, Rouffiac, K, Pereira, B, The COVISTRESS Network, Clinchamps, M, Dutheil, F, Mestres, S, Miele, C, Navel, V, Parreira, L, Boirie, Y, Bouillon-Minois, JB, Duclos, M, Fantini, ML, Schmidt, J, Tubert-Jeannin, S, Berthon, M, Chausse, P, Dambrun, M, Droit-Volet, S, Guimond, S, Mondillon, L, Nugier, A, Huguet, P, Dewavrin, S, Naughton, G, Benson, A, Lamm, C, Gbaglo, K, Drapeau, V, Bustos, B, Gu, Y, Zhang, H, Dieckmann, P, Baker, J, Duan, Y , Gao, G , Huang, WYJ, Lau, KLK, Zhang, CQ, Cocco, P, Lecca, R, Puligheddu, M, Figorilli, M, Charkhabi, M, Bagheri, R, Pfabigan, D, Dieckmann, P, Neto, D, Almeida, P, Gouveia, MJ, Quinteiro, P, Urzeala, C, Dubuis, B, Lemaignen, J, Liu, A, Saadaoui, F, Kulik, K & Chen, KC 2021, 'Changes in Cannabis Consumption During the Global COVID-19 Lockdown: The International COVISTRESS Study', Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 12, 689634. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.689634

TY - JOUR

T1 - Changes in Cannabis Consumption During the Global COVID-19 Lockdown

T2 - The International COVISTRESS Study

AU - Salles, Juliette

AU - Yrondi, Antoine

AU - Marhar, Fouad

AU - Andant, Nicolas

AU - Dorlhiac, Raimundo Avilés

AU - Quach, Binh

AU - Jiao, Jiao

AU - Antunes, Samuel

AU - Ugbolue, Ukadike Chris

AU - Guegan, Julien

AU - Rouffiac, Karine

AU - Pereira, Bruno

AU - The COVISTRESS Network

AU - Clinchamps, Maélys

AU - Dutheil, Frederic

AU - Mestres, Stéphanie

AU - Miele, Cécile

AU - Navel, Valentin

AU - Parreira, Lénise

AU - Boirie, Yves

AU - Bouillon-Minois, Jean Baptiste

AU - Duclos, Martine

AU - Fantini, Maria Livia

AU - Schmidt, Jeannot

AU - Tubert-Jeannin, Stéphanie

AU - Berthon, Mickael

AU - Chausse, Pierre

AU - Dambrun, Michael

AU - Droit-Volet, Sylvie

AU - Guimond, Serge

AU - Mondillon, Laurie

AU - Nugier, Armelle

AU - Huguet, Pascal

AU - Dewavrin, Samuel

AU - Naughton, Geraldine

AU - Benson, Amanda

AU - Lamm, Claus

AU - Gbaglo, Karen

AU - Drapeau, Vicky

AU - Bustos, Benjamin

AU - Gu, Yaodong

AU - Zhang, Haifeng

AU - Dieckmann, Peter

AU - Baker, Julien

AU - Duan, Yanping

AU - Gao, Gemma

AU - Huang, Wendy Y.J.

AU - Lau, Ka Lai Kelly

AU - Zhang, Chun Qing

AU - Cocco, Perluigi

AU - Lecca, Rosamaria

AU - Puligheddu, Monica

AU - Figorilli, Michela

AU - Charkhabi, Morteza

AU - Bagheri, Reza

AU - Pfabigan, Daniela

AU - Dieckmann, Peter

AU - Neto, David

AU - Almeida, Pedro

AU - Gouveia, Maria João

AU - Quinteiro, Pedro

AU - Urzeala, Constanta

AU - Dubuis, Benoït

AU - Lemaignen, Juliette

AU - Liu, Andy

AU - Saadaoui, Foued

AU - Kulik, Keri

AU - Chen, Kuan chou

PY - 2021/11/11

Y1 - 2021/11/11

N2 - Introduction: COVID-19 lockdown measures have been sources of both potential stress and possible psychological and addiction complications. A lack of activity and isolation during lockdown are among the factors thought to be behind the growth in the use of psychoactive substances and worsening addictive behaviors. Previous studies on the pandemic have attested to an increase in alcohol consumption during lockdowns. Likewise, data suggest there has also been a rise in the use of cannabis, although it is unclear how this is affected by external factors. Our study used quantitative data collected from an international population to evaluate changes in cannabis consumption during the lockdown period between March and October, 2020. We also compared users and non-users of the drug in relation to: (1) socio-demographic differences, (2) emotional experiences, and (3) the information available and the degree of approval of lockdown measures. Methods: An online self-report questionnaire concerning the lockdown was widely disseminated around the globe. Data was collected on sociodemographics and how the rules imposed had influenced the use of cannabis and concerns about health, the economic impact of the measures and the approach taken by government(s). Results: One hundred eighty two respondents consumed cannabis before the lockdown vs. 199 thereafter. The mean cannabis consumption fell from 13 joints per week pre-lockdown to 9.75 after it (p < 0.001). Forty-nine respondents stopped using cannabis at all and 66 admitted to starting to do so. The cannabis users were: less satisfied with government measures; less worried about their health; more concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and their career; and more frightened of becoming infected in public areas. The risk factors for cannabis use were: age (OR = 0.96); concern for physical health (OR = 0.98); tobacco (OR = 1.1) and alcohol consumption during lockdown (OR = 1.1); the pre-lockdown anger level (OR = 1.01); and feelings of boredom during the restrictions (OR = 1.1). Conclusion: In a specific sub-population, the COVID-19 lockdown brought about either an end to the consumption of cannabis or new use of the drug. The main risk factors for cannabis use were: a lower age, co-addictions and high levels of emotions.

AB - Introduction: COVID-19 lockdown measures have been sources of both potential stress and possible psychological and addiction complications. A lack of activity and isolation during lockdown are among the factors thought to be behind the growth in the use of psychoactive substances and worsening addictive behaviors. Previous studies on the pandemic have attested to an increase in alcohol consumption during lockdowns. Likewise, data suggest there has also been a rise in the use of cannabis, although it is unclear how this is affected by external factors. Our study used quantitative data collected from an international population to evaluate changes in cannabis consumption during the lockdown period between March and October, 2020. We also compared users and non-users of the drug in relation to: (1) socio-demographic differences, (2) emotional experiences, and (3) the information available and the degree of approval of lockdown measures. Methods: An online self-report questionnaire concerning the lockdown was widely disseminated around the globe. Data was collected on sociodemographics and how the rules imposed had influenced the use of cannabis and concerns about health, the economic impact of the measures and the approach taken by government(s). Results: One hundred eighty two respondents consumed cannabis before the lockdown vs. 199 thereafter. The mean cannabis consumption fell from 13 joints per week pre-lockdown to 9.75 after it (p < 0.001). Forty-nine respondents stopped using cannabis at all and 66 admitted to starting to do so. The cannabis users were: less satisfied with government measures; less worried about their health; more concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and their career; and more frightened of becoming infected in public areas. The risk factors for cannabis use were: age (OR = 0.96); concern for physical health (OR = 0.98); tobacco (OR = 1.1) and alcohol consumption during lockdown (OR = 1.1); the pre-lockdown anger level (OR = 1.01); and feelings of boredom during the restrictions (OR = 1.1). Conclusion: In a specific sub-population, the COVID-19 lockdown brought about either an end to the consumption of cannabis or new use of the drug. The main risk factors for cannabis use were: a lower age, co-addictions and high levels of emotions.

KW - addiction

KW - cannabis (marijuana)

KW - COVID-19

KW - lockdown

KW - tobacco

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85120682621&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.689634

DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.689634

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85120682621

SN - 1664-0640

VL - 12

JO - Frontiers in Psychiatry

JF - Frontiers in Psychiatry

M1 - 689634

ER -

Changes in Cannabis Consumption During the Global COVID-19 Lockdown: The International COVISTRESS Study

Abstract

Scopus Subject Areas

User-Defined Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this