Home-Based Brain Stimulation for Cannabis Use Disorder with Dr. Leigh Charvet
- 7 hours ago
- 1 min read
As cannabis products become more widely available, many people continue to view cannabis as a low-risk or even therapeutic for managing health symptoms such as anxiety, pain, and sleep difficulties. However, growing evidence suggests that today's high-potency cannabis products may carry significant risks for cognitive health, mental health, and the development of cannabis use disorder. As researchers work to better understand these risks, there is also increasing interest in developing new, accessible treatments that can help individuals reduce or stop cannabis use.
In this Ask the Expert video, Dr. Leigh Charvet, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, discusses transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a noninvasive form of neuromodulation being studied as a potential treatment for cannabis use disorder. Unlike clinic-based approaches that require specialized equipment, tDCS can be delivered through portable devices in the home under clinical supervision. Dr. Charvet explains how this technology targets brain networks involved in cognitive control, impulse control, and emotion regulation. She also discusses emerging research examining how tDCS may support the treatment of substance use and other mental health conditions.
The conversation highlights the potential of home-based neuromodulation as an accessible addition to existing treatment approaches for cannabis use disorder. Rather than replacing evidence-based behavioral therapies, Dr. Charvet explains how tDCS may serve as another tool to support individuals as they reduce cannabis use and manage withdrawal symptoms. As research continues, these early findings suggest that clinician-guided, home-based brain stimulation could help expand access to care while complementing established approaches to addiction treatment.