LOL i am so hi rite now

So, here’s a fun thought. What if researchers could text stoners and ask them if they’re high? Michael Phillips, Kristina Phillips, Trent Lalonde, and Kristy Dykema of the University of Northern Colorado thought this was a pretty cool idea. They did a study of  47 people aged 18 to 33 (only one person was over 22), and sent each participant nine questions via text message on their personal phones 3 times a day for 2 weeks, with an 89% response rate. Shockingly, those who engaged in more marijuana use had a much higher response rate than those who spent their time studying or participating in “in the moment” activities. The messages would ask participants what they were doing when they received the message, when they last smoked, and other questions regarding cravings and time spent smoking or being useful.

The purpose of the study was to test the feasibility of using an SMS system to gather data on marijuana use. This was needed because it is understandably difficult to gather usable data from people who like to hit the bong, or whatever the kids are calling it these days. The article cites “memory recall and patterns of bias” as the reason for this, but I’m pretty sure that’s just an official way of saying “people who are high out of their minds can’t answer hard questions.” Either way, the texting method helps because the users can supply data while they are in the process of smoking…or doing something productive, in some rare cases.

Average response time was around 44 minutes, with time varying depending on time of day and what day of the week it was. Of those 49 participants, 53% reported daily marijuana use. 34% reported using more than once a day. MORE THAN ONCE A DAY! How do these people get anything accomplished that doesn’t involve sleeping and nachos?!

Since the researchers did not partake of any stupid-making drugs, they were able to gather useful data and conclude that SMS is a viable way to collect information from drug users.

Feasibility of text messaging for ecological momentary assessment of marijuana use in college students.

Phillips, Michael M.; Phillips, Kristina T.; Lalonde, Trent L.; Dykema, Kristy R.

Psychological Assessment, Vol 26(3), Sep 2014, 947-957. doi: 10.1037/a0036612