A national study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors indicates that the variety of ways people consume cannabis serves as a strong indicator of potential addiction. While smoking remains the most common method, researchers identified a specific group of users who consume the drug in nearly every available form. This group, known as the polymodal group, exhibited significantly higher rates of daily use and cannabis use disorder compared to other users.
Polymodal Users Face Highest Risk
The research team at NYU Langone Health analyzed data from 17,732 adults who had used cannabis in the preceding month. The data came from the 2022-2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Using statistical clustering, the researchers identified four distinct consumption patterns among users.
Nearly half of the participants, 48 percent, primarily smoked cannabis. Another 21 percent combined smoking and vaping. Seventeen percent mainly consumed edibles. The remaining 14 percent belonged to the polymodal group, utilizing almost every available method including dabbing, which involves heating concentrated products and inhaling the vapor.
The differences in addiction rates between these groups were stark. Approximately 67 percent of polymodal users met the clinical criteria for cannabis use disorder. This is a much higher rate than the 47 percent observed in those who smoked and vaped, 36 percent of those who primarily smoked, and just 15 percent of those who mainly used edibles. Daily use was also most prevalent in the polymodal group, with about half of these users reporting daily consumption, compared to 28 percent of primary smokers and 13 percent of edible users.
Demographic and Health Implications
The study also highlighted distinct demographic trends associated with different consumption methods. Young adults aged 18 to 25 made up nearly one-third of both the smoking and vaping group and the polymodal group. In contrast, only about one-sixth of primary smokers fell into this age range. Edibles showed a different pattern, with women comprising more than half of that group and the method being particularly common among college graduates.
Health risks also varied by method. People who smoked cannabis were more likely to also smoke cigarettes than those who vaped or used edibles. Senior author Joseph J. Palamar, PhD, MPH, noted that this combination is concerning because both substances involve combustion. This exposes the lungs to a wider range of harmful chemicals.
Lead author Omar El-Shahawy, MD, PhD, MPH, suggested that clinicians should ask patients not only if they use cannabis but how they use it. He stated that using multiple forms may be a red flag for heavier use and symptoms of addiction. This information could help clinicians identify when a fuller assessment is warranted.
The findings suggest that public health education needs to move beyond a singular focus on smoking. El-Shahawy emphasized that messages should vary by consumption method. For younger adults, this means discussing the risks of vaping and combining multiple forms. For those who prefer edibles, the advice should focus on starting with low doses and waiting for the effects to kick in.
The researchers noted limitations in the study, including the reliance on self-reported data which may not be fully accurate. The observational nature of the study establishes an association between consumption patterns and addiction but does not prove causation. Future work aims to investigate the motivations behind these choices, such as whether edible users are more likely to manage pain or sleep difficulties.
Source: ScienceDaily
