Problematic internet use and cannabis consumption: A scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Growing research indicates a connection between cannabis consumption and problematic Internet use (PIU).
• Understanding this association is crucial for public health and clinical interventions.
• Existing literature requires synthesis to identify research gaps and future directions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of the literature examining the relationship between cannabis consumption and PIU.
• To synthesize current findings and identify areas for future research.

Main Methods:

• An extensive electronic search was performed across multiple databases (e.g., PubMed, PsycINFO) up to May 2023.
• Keywords included terms related to PIU and cannabis use.
• Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed articles in English or French, not systematic reviews, with PIU and cannabis consumption as primary themes.

Main Results:

• A preliminary search screened over 12,000 articles.
• Seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review.
• The reviewed studies indicate a potential association between cannabis use and PIU.

Conclusions:

• The current literature suggests a possible link between cannabis use and problematic Internet use.
• Heterogeneity in how PIU is operationalized across studies hinders definitive conclusions.
• Further research employing consistent measurement tools is necessary to establish a more robust understanding of this relationship.