A medication already used by millions to quit cigarettes might offer a new option for men trying to reduce their marijuana consumption, according to research from the Medical University of South Carolina. The study found that varenicline, better known by its brand name Chantix/Champix, helped male cannabis users cut their marijuana sessions by more than one-third. The discovery comes at a time when few effective treatments exist for cannabis use disorder.
The study, published in Addiction, involved 174 adults who met diagnostic criteria for cannabis use disorder and wanted help cutting back. All participants were heavy users, consuming marijuana an average of 27 days out of every 30, with about three separate use sessions daily. Half received varenicline while the other half took a placebo. Everyone also participated in weekly counseling focused on medication adherence and reducing cannabis use.
How Varenicline Reduced Cannabis Use in Men
Men taking varenicline reduced their weekly cannabis use from 12.2 sessions to 7.9 sessions during the latter half of the study period, compared to virtually no change in men receiving placebo. Benefits were observed through the end of treatment, with a brief one-week follow-up showing no immediate rebound in use. Men on varenicline were significantly more likely to test negative for marijuana on urine drug screens than men taking placebo.
The findings offer progress for cannabis use disorder treatment, which has seen limited medication development despite rising rates of problematic marijuana use across the United States. Changes in legalization and shifting social attitudes have led to increased cannabis consumption and more people seeking help, yet few medications have shown consistent benefits.
Why a Smoking Cessation Drug Works for Cannabis
Varenicline was originally developed as a smoking cessation aid and has become one of the most effective medications for helping people quit tobacco. Researchers believe the drug works by targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain’s reward system, the same neural pathways thought to be involved in cannabis dependence. These receptors influence the release of dopamine and other brain chemicals involved in substance use and craving.
Scientists have been exploring whether varenicline might help with other substance use disorders beyond tobacco. Earlier research found the medication reduced alcohol consumption in some studies, though results have been mixed. A small pilot study in 2021 suggested varenicline might help people with cannabis use disorder, prompting researchers to conduct this larger trial.
The Treatment Worked Differently for Women
While men benefited substantially from varenicline, women showed no improvement in cannabis use. Female participants taking varenicline averaged 10.5 cannabis sessions per week compared to 9.2 sessions for women receiving placebo. The difference wasn’t statistically meaningful. Women on varenicline also reported higher withdrawal symptoms, increased marijuana cravings, and greater anxiety compared to women taking placebo.
These sex differences mirror patterns researchers have observed with varenicline treatment for alcohol use disorder. In a 2018 study, men taking varenicline reduced heavy drinking while women did better with placebo. Scientists are still working to understand why varenicline helps men but not women reduce cannabis use. Research suggests women are more likely than men to use marijuana as a coping strategy for stress and tension. The increased anxiety some women experienced while taking varenicline might have undermined any potential benefits.
Side Effects and Medication Tolerance
Medication adherence was similar between treatment groups, with participants taking roughly two-thirds of their prescribed doses over the 12-week period. The most common side effects were nausea and disturbed dreams, consistent with varenicline’s known tolerability profile when used for smoking cessation. These side effects were not severe enough to cause most participants to stop taking the medication.
The research team noted that reducing cannabis use, rather than achieving complete abstinence, has recently gained acceptance as a meaningful treatment goal. Reduction in marijuana consumption has been associated with improvements in functioning and quality of life. This makes varenicline’s ability to help men substantially cut their cannabis use particularly valuable, even if complete abstinence isn’t achieved.
Source : https://studyfinds.org/smoking-drug-help-men-cut-cannabis-use/