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Cannabis Use, Depression, and Suicide Risk in Adolescents

This study is looking for 200 adolescents aged 12-18 who use cannabis frequently and have symptoms of depression. The goal is to understand how cannabis use and stopping cannabis use affect depression and the risk of suicidal thoughts. Participants will first track their cannabis use and mood for two weeks using a smartphone. Then, some will be encouraged to stop using cannabis for eight weeks using a program called contingency management (where you earn rewards for staying abstinent), while others will continue to be monitored without being asked to stop. The study will measure cannabis use, motivation to use cannabis for mood, and mood changes to see if the intervention helps reduce depression and suicide risk.

Study design
This is an interventional study with 200 participants, using a two-arm design where participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups after an initial monitoring period.
What's involved
You will participate in a 10-week study, including a 2-week baseline phase of smartphone monitoring, followed by an 8-week period where you may be asked to abstain from cannabis.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study measures outcomes up to Week 10, which includes the 2-week baseline and 8-week intervention phases.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06576076

Cannabis, Linked Emotions, and Adolescent Risk Study

Recruiting
NAAges 12–18InterventionalBasic science
Massachusetts General Hospital
~200 participants
Updated 2026-03-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Contingency management for cannabis abstinence

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Aim 1: Cannabis use in the last hour
Measured over Weeks 1 - 2 (EMA Phase 1; Baseline Use as Usual)
+7 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Cannabis Use
Depression
Suicidal Ideation
Adolescent Behavior

Explore related trials

Cannabis Use DisorderDepressionSuicidal Ideation

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1

Study leadership

  • Randi M Schuster, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Massachusetts General Hospital

Who to contact

Randi M Schuster, PhD
[email protected]
617-643-6673
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Ages 12-18;
Current daily or near daily cannabis use (i.e., use ≥ 4 days per week on average; Timeline Followback);
Score ≥ 5 on PHQ-9;
Access to an internet-capable smartphone (iOS or Android);
Provision of at least 1 collateral contact for risk monitoring;
Provision of informed assent (or consent if 18 years or older) and parent/guardian consent if \<age 18;
Greater than 50% response rate to EMA prompts during the first EMA phase;
No immediate plan to discontinue cannabis use in the next 3 months;
Positive toxicology result for cannabis on baseline urinalysis.

Exclusion

Any factor that impairs ability to comprehend and effectively participate, including acute intoxication at time of consent;
Cannabis use \>4 times/day on average (to maximize likelihood of capturing mood and SI during non-use times);
Inability to speak/write English fluently;
Gross cognitive impairment, for example due to florid psychosis, intellectual disability, developmental delay, or neurodegenerative disease;
Current epilepsy diagnosis;
Individuals who are under the legal protection of the government or state (wards of the state);
Response of "No" to the knowledge check question regarding EMA suicidality response time;
Inability to wear Fitbit device.

What this trial measures

  • Aim 1: Cannabis use in the last hourWeeks 1 - 2 (EMA Phase 1; Baseline Use as Usual)

    Responses will be collected via ecological momentary assessment based on 7-9 random prompts a day. The outcome is a binary rating as to whether cannabis was used in the last hour, either 0 (No use) or 1 (Use in the last hour). We will examine data from all participants prior to randomization to experimental arms (Pre-intervention Pooled Groups arm).

  • Aim 1: Motivation to use cannabis to improve mood collectedWeeks 1 - 2 (EMA Phase 1; Baseline Use as Usual)

    Responses will be collected via ecological momentary assessment based on 7-9 random prompts a day. We will use the subset of responses following cannabis use in the last hour. The outcome is a rating for whether cannabis was used to improve negative mood, from 1 (No, not at all) to 100 (Yes, very much). Higher ratings indicate greater motivation to use cannabis to improve negative mood. We will examine data from all participants prior to randomization to experimental arms (Pre-intervention Pooled Groups arm).

  • Aim 2: Depleted moodWeeks 1 - 3, Week 10 (EMA Phase 2-3; Randomized Withdrawal then Sustained Abstinence)

    Responses will be collected via ecological momentary assessment based on 7-9 random prompts a day. The outcome is a composite score of depleted mood computed as the average over 5 ratings each assessed on a 0 (No, not at all) - 100 (Yes, very much) scale with the following question prompt: Right now how much do you feel \[MOOD\] (sub in Sad/Self-hatred/Numb/Hopeless/Fatigued). Higher ratings indicate worse feelings of depleted mood. We will examine data for participants split between the two experimental arms (CB-Abst versus CB-Mon).

  • Aim 2: Negative cognitive impactWeeks 1 - 3, Week 10 (EMA Phase 2-3; Randomized Withdrawal then Sustained Abstinence)

    Responses will be collected via ecological momentary assessment based on 7-9 random prompts a day. The outcome is a composite score of negative cognitive impact computed as the average over 2 ratings each assessed on a 0 (No, not at all) - 100 (Yes, very much) scale with the following question prompt: Right now how much do you feel \[MOOD\] (sub in Disinterested/Inattentive). Higher ratings indicate worse feelings of negative cognitive impact. We will examine data for participants split between the two experimental arms (CB-Abst versus CB-Mon).

  • Aim 2: Negative activationWeeks 1 - 3, Week 10 (EMA Phase 2-3; Randomized Withdrawal then Sustained Abstinence)

    Responses will be collected via ecological momentary assessment based on 7-9 random prompts a day. The outcome is a composite score of negative activation computed as the average over 3 ratings each assessed on a 0 (No, not at all) - 100 (Yes, very much) scale with the following question prompt: Right now how much do you feel \[MOOD\] (sub in Agitated/Irritated/Anxious). Higher ratings indicate worse feelings of negative activation. We will examine data for participants split between the two experimental arms (CB-Abst versus CB-Mon).

  • Aim 2: Passive suicidal ideationWeeks 1 - 3, Week 10 (EMA Phase 2-3; Randomized Withdrawal then Sustained Abstinence)

    Responses will be collected via ecological momentary assessment based on 7-9 random prompts a day. The outcome is a composite score of passive suicidal ideation computed as the average over 3 ratings each assessed on a 0 (No, not at all) - 100 (Yes, very much) scale with the following question prompt: Right now how strong is your \[IDEATION\] (sub in Thoughts about death/Wishing suffering could be over/Better off as dead). Higher ratings indicate worse passive suicidal ideation. We will examine data for participants split between the two experimental arms (CB-Abst versus CB-Mon).

  • Aim 2: Suicidal urgesWeeks 1 - 3, Week 10 (EMA Phase 2-3; Randomized Withdrawal then Sustained Abstinence)

    Responses will be collected via ecological momentary assessment based on 7-9 random prompts a day. The outcome is a rating to the following prompt: right now how strong is your intention to kill yourself, from 0 (No, not at all) to 100 (Yes, very much). Higher ratings indicate worse suicidal urges. We will examine data for participants split between the two experimental arms (CB-Abst versus CB-Mon).

  • Aim 2: Non-suicidal self-injury urgesWeeks 1 - 3, Week 10 (EMA Phase 2-3; Randomized Withdrawal then Sustained Abstinence)

    Responses will be collected via ecological momentary assessment based on 7-9 random prompts a day. The outcome is a rating to the following prompt: right now how strong is your desire to hurt your body, from 0 (No, not at all) to 100 (Yes, very much). Higher ratings indicate worse self-injury urges. We will examine data for participants split between the two experimental arms (CB-Abst versus CB-Mon).