Effect of oxytocin pretreatment on cannabis outcomes in a brief motivational intervention.

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is efficacious in reducing cannabis use, yet benefits are generally short-lived. Oxytocin is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that promotes prosocial behaviors and plays a role in drug-related neuroadaptations; as such, oxytocin may enhance the effect of MET on cannabis outcomes. Cannabis dependent adults were randomized to receive MET plus oxytocin ( n =8) or placebo ( n =8). Participants receiving oxytocin showed reductions in amount of cannabis used daily and number of sessions per day. Participants receiving placebo did not evidence significant reductions. Powered clinical trials of oxytocin-enhanced MET for cannabis use disorder are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]