Exercise-induced brain changes in cannabis use disorder: a longitudinal MRI study of a 12-week supervised HIIT program.
Suzan Maleki, Karyn Richardson, Sam Hughes et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomised, single-blind, comparator-controlled trial examined whether supervised exercise was associated with brain structural changes in 59 people with cannabis use disorder; abstinence was not required. Participants received 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or active strength and resistance training. Compared with the control condition, HIIT was associated with increased fractional anisotropy in the left uncinate fasciculus (p = 0.012) and greater cortical thickness in the right pars opercularis of the inferior frontal gyrus (p = 0.016). Changes in both measures correlated with exercise intensity indicators.
Key findings
- HIIT was associated with increased fractional anisotropy in the left uncinate fasciculus (p = 0.012).
- HIIT was associated with increased cortical thickness in the right pars opercularis of the inferior frontal gyrus (p = 0.016).
- Changes in fractional anisotropy and cortical thickness correlated with hours spent with heart rates > 80% (r = 0.32, p = 0.027 and r = 0.41, p = 0.001).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that supervised aerobic exercise may be associated with measurable brain structural changes in people with cannabis use disorder, including when abstinence is not required. This offers evidence relevant to non-abstinence-based intervention research, while the MRI outcomes do not establish whether the changes improve symptoms, functioning, or cannabis-use outcomes.
What to keep in mind
The trial included 59 participants and assessed MRI structural outcomes before and after 12 weeks; the abstract does not report longer-term outcomes or clinical benefits.