Sociodemographic characteristics and correlates of Delta-8 THC use in US adults
Introduction Recent reports suggest that Delta-8 THC use has surged during the past year. Although Delta-8 THC is believed to have relatively low psychoactive potency, its effects are not well characterized and the associated individual and public health risks are unknown. Objectives Identify pat...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2022-06-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822002474/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1827753586808848384 |
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| author | O. Livne |
| author_facet | O. Livne |
| author_sort | O. Livne |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
Recent reports suggest that Delta-8 THC use has surged during the past year. Although Delta-8 THC is believed to have relatively low psychoactive potency, its effects are not well characterized and the associated individual and public health risks are unknown.
Objectives
Identify patterns of Delta-8 THC use among US adult cannabis users and examine associations with sociodemographic characteristics and cannabis use-related variables.
Methods
We surveyed 4,349 US adult cannabis users recruited via online advertisements. We calculated frequencies of sociodemographic characteristics in past 30-day Delta-8 THC users. Odds ratios were used to indicate associations between sociodemographic characteristics and past 30-day Delta-8 THC use.
Results
Respondents aged 45–64 years were significantly more likely than other age groups to have used Delta-8 THC during the past 30 days (odds ratio=1.48, 95% CI 1.04, 2.11). Fifty-eight percent of the sample had heard of Delta-8 THC, 66.8% of which had first heard of it during the last year and 37.1% first heard of it via social media. The most common methods of consumption were vaping concentrates and edibles. We identified motivations for use of Delta-8 THC that potentially indicate a preference for legal options and/or a perception that Delta-8 THC has medical benefits.
Conclusions
This study provides a snapshot of patterns of Delta-8 THC use among US adult cannabis users. Further investigation of the perceived medical benefits of Delta-8 THC, the role of social media in promoting its use, and the effectiveness of restrictions on Delta-8 THC products would provide further information to guide public health policy regarding Delta-8
THC.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:37:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d54bb227aae7414f87bd5c3a2ad48326 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:37:26Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-d54bb227aae7414f87bd5c3a2ad483262023-11-17T05:09:19ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S81S8110.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.247Sociodemographic characteristics and correlates of Delta-8 THC use in US adultsO. Livne0Columbia University, Epidemiology, NY, United States of America Introduction Recent reports suggest that Delta-8 THC use has surged during the past year. Although Delta-8 THC is believed to have relatively low psychoactive potency, its effects are not well characterized and the associated individual and public health risks are unknown. Objectives Identify patterns of Delta-8 THC use among US adult cannabis users and examine associations with sociodemographic characteristics and cannabis use-related variables. Methods We surveyed 4,349 US adult cannabis users recruited via online advertisements. We calculated frequencies of sociodemographic characteristics in past 30-day Delta-8 THC users. Odds ratios were used to indicate associations between sociodemographic characteristics and past 30-day Delta-8 THC use. Results Respondents aged 45–64 years were significantly more likely than other age groups to have used Delta-8 THC during the past 30 days (odds ratio=1.48, 95% CI 1.04, 2.11). Fifty-eight percent of the sample had heard of Delta-8 THC, 66.8% of which had first heard of it during the last year and 37.1% first heard of it via social media. The most common methods of consumption were vaping concentrates and edibles. We identified motivations for use of Delta-8 THC that potentially indicate a preference for legal options and/or a perception that Delta-8 THC has medical benefits. Conclusions This study provides a snapshot of patterns of Delta-8 THC use among US adult cannabis users. Further investigation of the perceived medical benefits of Delta-8 THC, the role of social media in promoting its use, and the effectiveness of restrictions on Delta-8 THC products would provide further information to guide public health policy regarding Delta-8 THC. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822002474/type/journal_articleDelta-8 THCMarijuanaHempCannabis |
| spellingShingle | O. Livne Sociodemographic characteristics and correlates of Delta-8 THC use in US adults European Psychiatry Delta-8 THC Marijuana Hemp Cannabis |
| title | Sociodemographic characteristics and correlates of Delta-8 THC use in US adults |
| title_full | Sociodemographic characteristics and correlates of Delta-8 THC use in US adults |
| title_fullStr | Sociodemographic characteristics and correlates of Delta-8 THC use in US adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sociodemographic characteristics and correlates of Delta-8 THC use in US adults |
| title_short | Sociodemographic characteristics and correlates of Delta-8 THC use in US adults |
| title_sort | sociodemographic characteristics and correlates of delta 8 thc use in us adults |
| topic | Delta-8 THC Marijuana Hemp Cannabis |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822002474/type/journal_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT olivne sociodemographiccharacteristicsandcorrelatesofdelta8thcuseinusadults |