Collective trauma reminders trigger immediate cannabis, tobacco cravings, Hebrew U. study finds

Reminders of collective trauma, such as the October 7 attack, can trigger an immediate spike in cannabis and tobacco cravings among regular users, according to a new study led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The research, published in the Journal of Health Psychology, suggests that these cravings may serve as a rapid psychological defense mechanism against confronting thoughts of mortality and existential vulnerability.

The study, based on terror management theory, involved exposing participants to articles and images related to the October 7 attack. Regular cannabis users who viewed this material reported significantly stronger cravings compared to a control group that read about dental pain. A similar effect was observed in daily tobacco smokers, indicating that the urge to smoke is not solely driven by habit or physical dependence but can be a swift response to perceived threats.

"When people are reminded of a collective existential threat, the immediate urge to smoke isn’t simply a physical habit. It is a rapid defensive response designed to push thoughts of mortality out of conscious awareness," explained Dr. Uri Lifshin, one of the study's researchers. The findings also noted that individuals with high attachment anxiety experienced greater overall cravings. However, the study found that attachment security, self-esteem, national identity, and self-affirmation tasks did not mitigate these immediate cravings, suggesting they are a reflexive attempt to suppress threatening thoughts.

The research has broader public health implications, particularly as Israeli society continues to grapple with the psychological effects of the October 7 massacre and the ongoing conflict. The authors suggest their findings could help explain how media coverage of traumatic events influences health-related behaviors long after the initial incident.

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Our findings highlight how addictive behaviors are often deeply intertwined with our basic need for psychological survival. When people are reminded of a collective existential threat, the immediate urge to smoke isn’t simply a physical habit. It is a rapid defensive response designed to push thoughts of mortality out of conscious awareness.