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Elevated Stress Reactivity: A Barrier to Cannabis Use Change Behavior
Mallory J Cannon1, Brandon S Schermitzler1, Vincent Le1
1Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.
Substance Use & Misuse
|March 11, 2026
Summary
Elevated physiological stress responses, specifically skin conductance and heart rate reactivity, may hinder individuals' motivation to reduce cannabis use. This suggests stress management is key for behavior change in cannabis users.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Cannabis use is increasing in the U.S. with legalization.
- Many users persist despite negative consequences, indicating barriers to change.
- Stress and anxiety often drive substance use as a coping mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between stress reactivity and changes in motivation to alter cannabis consumption.
- To examine how physiological and subjective responses to stress influence motivation over three months.
Main Methods:
- 102 regular cannabis users provided baseline data on motivation and stress reactivity (physiological and subjective).
- Motivation to change cannabis use was reassessed after three months in a subsample of 68 participants.
- Stress reactivity was measured via skin conductance, heart rate, heart rate variability, and salivary cortisol.
Main Results:
- Higher skin conductance response and heart rate reactivity to laboratory stress predicted a greater decrease in motivation to change cannabis use.
- Heart rate variability, salivary cortisol, and subjective stress reactivity did not predict changes in motivation.
- These findings highlight the role of sympathetic nervous system activation in cannabis use behavior.
Conclusions:
- Elevated sympathetic stress reactivity appears to be a significant barrier to reducing cannabis use.
- Understanding stress responses is crucial for developing effective interventions for cannabis use disorder.
- Targeting stress management techniques may facilitate behavior change in cannabis users.
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