Johannes Thrul
@drjthrul.bsky.social
mHealth and substance use research, Associate Prof, @JohnsHopkinsDMH, @JohnsHopkinsSPH, immigrant 🇩🇪 ➡️ 🇺🇸
thrulresearchlab.com
thrulresearchlab.com
1/4 New publications from our team on just-in-time mobile interventions
Smartphones offer a way to deliver high-quality support when people actually need it: Applied here at the moment they feel an urge to smoke.
Smartphones offer a way to deliver high-quality support when people actually need it: Applied here at the moment they feel an urge to smoke.
November 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
1/4 New publications from our team on just-in-time mobile interventions
Smartphones offer a way to deliver high-quality support when people actually need it: Applied here at the moment they feel an urge to smoke.
Smartphones offer a way to deliver high-quality support when people actually need it: Applied here at the moment they feel an urge to smoke.
1/2 Wonderful news and proud mentor moment: My first-ever PhD student and former mentee, Dr. Courtney Nordeck, received her first R01! Congrats @cdnordeck.bsky.social!
Securing this level of funding is a massive validation of grit, resilience, and scientific vision.
Securing this level of funding is a massive validation of grit, resilience, and scientific vision.
November 21, 2025 at 4:11 PM
1/2 Wonderful news and proud mentor moment: My first-ever PhD student and former mentee, Dr. Courtney Nordeck, received her first R01! Congrats @cdnordeck.bsky.social!
Securing this level of funding is a massive validation of grit, resilience, and scientific vision.
Securing this level of funding is a massive validation of grit, resilience, and scientific vision.
1/5 Important new work on cannabis and alcohol substitution. I got to weigh in on these results for @nytimes.com
Link to original paper: psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
Link to NYT article: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/w...
Link to original paper: psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
Link to NYT article: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/w...
Acute Effects of Cannabis on Alcohol Craving and Consumption: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial | American Journal of Psychiatry
Objective:Cannabis use is strongly linked with heavy drinking and worse alcohol treatment outcomes;
however, it may also contribute to decreased alcohol consumption. To date, no human
studies have est...
psychiatryonline.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
1/5 Important new work on cannabis and alcohol substitution. I got to weigh in on these results for @nytimes.com
Link to original paper: psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
Link to NYT article: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/w...
Link to original paper: psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
Link to NYT article: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/w...
It was a pleasure talking to @publichealthpod.bsky.social about the health effects of alcohol, especially the cancer risk. Thanks for having me on the podcast!
@dmh-bsph.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
@dmh-bsph.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
Updated research unravels claims about alcohol’s potential health benefits and links drinking at any amount with increased cancer risk.
@drjthrul.bsky.social shares how these findings can help people make their own decisions about drinking.
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/977-the-heal...
@drjthrul.bsky.social shares how these findings can help people make their own decisions about drinking.
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/977-the-heal...
November 17, 2025 at 9:00 PM
It was a pleasure talking to @publichealthpod.bsky.social about the health effects of alcohol, especially the cancer risk. Thanks for having me on the podcast!
@dmh-bsph.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
@dmh-bsph.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
Reposted by Johannes Thrul
We spoke with @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social's Dr. Johannes Thrul to better understand his groundbreaking research into cannabis use. This MPI work w/ Dr. Ryan Vandrey is shaping the future of addiction science and public health.
🔗 Read the full story: bit.ly/46DOu66
🔗 Read the full story: bit.ly/46DOu66
October 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
We spoke with @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social's Dr. Johannes Thrul to better understand his groundbreaking research into cannabis use. This MPI work w/ Dr. Ryan Vandrey is shaping the future of addiction science and public health.
🔗 Read the full story: bit.ly/46DOu66
🔗 Read the full story: bit.ly/46DOu66
Reposted by Johannes Thrul
Text Messaging Intervention for Postpartum Alcohol Use: Micro-Randomized Trial Supports Feasibility, Acceptability ... (just accepted in @jsadjournal.bsky.social)
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @janardan.bsky.social @drjthrul.bsky.social @capraustralia.bsky.social
www.jsad.com/doi/abs/10.1...
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @janardan.bsky.social @drjthrul.bsky.social @capraustralia.bsky.social
www.jsad.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Text Messaging Intervention for Postpartum Alcohol Use: Micro-Randomized Trial Supports Feasibility, Acceptability, and Maternal Message Preference: Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs: Vol 0, No ...
Objective: This pilot micro-randomized trial (MRT) evaluated feasibility of the MRT design and compared acceptability and preliminary impacts of drinking-focused and maternal-focused text messages to ...
www.jsad.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Text Messaging Intervention for Postpartum Alcohol Use: Micro-Randomized Trial Supports Feasibility, Acceptability ... (just accepted in @jsadjournal.bsky.social)
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @janardan.bsky.social @drjthrul.bsky.social @capraustralia.bsky.social
www.jsad.com/doi/abs/10.1...
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @janardan.bsky.social @drjthrul.bsky.social @capraustralia.bsky.social
www.jsad.com/doi/abs/10.1...
When do people with chronic pain crave opioids or cannabis most?
Our new study in DAD followed patients for 30 days using real-time surveys.
🔹 Craving ↑ on co-use days
🔹 Pain catastrophizing was strongest predictor
🔹 ~⅓ reported little/no craving
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lj4z1LiD3...
Our new study in DAD followed patients for 30 days using real-time surveys.
🔹 Craving ↑ on co-use days
🔹 Pain catastrophizing was strongest predictor
🔹 ~⅓ reported little/no craving
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lj4z1LiD3...
September 4, 2025 at 1:32 PM
When do people with chronic pain crave opioids or cannabis most?
Our new study in DAD followed patients for 30 days using real-time surveys.
🔹 Craving ↑ on co-use days
🔹 Pain catastrophizing was strongest predictor
🔹 ~⅓ reported little/no craving
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lj4z1LiD3...
Our new study in DAD followed patients for 30 days using real-time surveys.
🔹 Craving ↑ on co-use days
🔹 Pain catastrophizing was strongest predictor
🔹 ~⅓ reported little/no craving
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lj4z1LiD3...
New paper in @ecp-editor.bsky.social: Trials on cannabis for chronic pain often miss what matters most to patients: sleep, coping, function, opioid substitution. Time to look beyond pain scores. 👉 doi.org/10.1037/pha0...
@dmh-bsph.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
@dmh-bsph.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
August 29, 2025 at 8:27 PM
New paper in @ecp-editor.bsky.social: Trials on cannabis for chronic pain often miss what matters most to patients: sleep, coping, function, opioid substitution. Time to look beyond pain scores. 👉 doi.org/10.1037/pha0...
@dmh-bsph.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
@dmh-bsph.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
Recent Gallup poll numbers on drinking in America show historic lows. I spoke with @nytimes.com about potential reasons incl changes in social norms, harm perceptions, and cannabis.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/w...
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @dmh-bsph.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/w...
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @dmh-bsph.bsky.social
U.S. Drinking Drops to New Low, Poll Finds
www.nytimes.com
August 14, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Recent Gallup poll numbers on drinking in America show historic lows. I spoke with @nytimes.com about potential reasons incl changes in social norms, harm perceptions, and cannabis.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/w...
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @dmh-bsph.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/w...
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @dmh-bsph.bsky.social
📢 Participants Needed!
Work from home & office?
Join a Johns Hopkins study on work environments & well-being.
🏷️ Earn a $120 gift card
📩 [email protected] | 📱 410-575-4631
Please share widely!
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @jhpoecenter.bsky.social
Work from home & office?
Join a Johns Hopkins study on work environments & well-being.
🏷️ Earn a $120 gift card
📩 [email protected] | 📱 410-575-4631
Please share widely!
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @jhpoecenter.bsky.social
August 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
📢 Participants Needed!
Work from home & office?
Join a Johns Hopkins study on work environments & well-being.
🏷️ Earn a $120 gift card
📩 [email protected] | 📱 410-575-4631
Please share widely!
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @jhpoecenter.bsky.social
Work from home & office?
Join a Johns Hopkins study on work environments & well-being.
🏷️ Earn a $120 gift card
📩 [email protected] | 📱 410-575-4631
Please share widely!
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @jhpoecenter.bsky.social
1/ Our new study in BMC Public Health examines stakeholder perspectives on digital wellbeing in Saudi Arabia.
Findings point to high screen time, concerns about health impacts, and strong support for education-based interventions.
🧾 doi.org/10.1186/s128...
Findings point to high screen time, concerns about health impacts, and strong support for education-based interventions.
🧾 doi.org/10.1186/s128...
July 23, 2025 at 5:15 PM
1/ Our new study in BMC Public Health examines stakeholder perspectives on digital wellbeing in Saudi Arabia.
Findings point to high screen time, concerns about health impacts, and strong support for education-based interventions.
🧾 doi.org/10.1186/s128...
Findings point to high screen time, concerns about health impacts, and strong support for education-based interventions.
🧾 doi.org/10.1186/s128...
1/3 Had a great time at my first @researchmj.bsky.social meeting in Detroit. Fantastic science & welcoming community. Highly recommend for anyone in the cannabis research space.
We shared our work using LLMs + NLP to extract structured data from EMRs.
We shared our work using LLMs + NLP to extract structured data from EMRs.
July 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
1/3 Had a great time at my first @researchmj.bsky.social meeting in Detroit. Fantastic science & welcoming community. Highly recommend for anyone in the cannabis research space.
We shared our work using LLMs + NLP to extract structured data from EMRs.
We shared our work using LLMs + NLP to extract structured data from EMRs.
1/5 New paper on medicinal cannabis: We followed adults with clinically significant anxiety & depression who were new to medicinal cannabis using 8 weeks of EMA and 6 months of longitudinal follow up and saw significant and clinically meaningful benefits.
authors.elsevier.com/c/1lQBfbXYiy...
authors.elsevier.com/c/1lQBfbXYiy...
July 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
1/5 New paper on medicinal cannabis: We followed adults with clinically significant anxiety & depression who were new to medicinal cannabis using 8 weeks of EMA and 6 months of longitudinal follow up and saw significant and clinically meaningful benefits.
authors.elsevier.com/c/1lQBfbXYiy...
authors.elsevier.com/c/1lQBfbXYiy...
1/2 Cannabis researchers: We’ve developed new instruments to help standardize self-reported cannabis data.
- Cannabis Use Questionnaire (CUQ)
- Core Assessment Battery on Cannabis (CABC)
Both are free to download (Qualtrics, REDCap):
www.cannabisandhealth.org
- Cannabis Use Questionnaire (CUQ)
- Core Assessment Battery on Cannabis (CABC)
Both are free to download (Qualtrics, REDCap):
www.cannabisandhealth.org
Cannabis and Health Research Initiative (CHRI)
A platform of data collection and dissemination focused on the health outcomes of therapeutic cannabis use at the patient level.
www.cannabisandhealth.org
July 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
1/2 Cannabis researchers: We’ve developed new instruments to help standardize self-reported cannabis data.
- Cannabis Use Questionnaire (CUQ)
- Core Assessment Battery on Cannabis (CABC)
Both are free to download (Qualtrics, REDCap):
www.cannabisandhealth.org
- Cannabis Use Questionnaire (CUQ)
- Core Assessment Battery on Cannabis (CABC)
Both are free to download (Qualtrics, REDCap):
www.cannabisandhealth.org
1/4 🚭 New from our lab in BMC Public Health!
We tested 124 digital smoking cessation messages with over 300 young adults who smoke. Acceptance- and distraction-based messages were rated similarly overall, with some but key differences by sociodemographics.
doi.org/10.1186/s128...
We tested 124 digital smoking cessation messages with over 300 young adults who smoke. Acceptance- and distraction-based messages were rated similarly overall, with some but key differences by sociodemographics.
doi.org/10.1186/s128...
Smoking cessation message testing to inform app-based interventions for young adults – an online experiment - BMC Public Health
Background To improve the efficacy of digital smoking cessation interventions for young adults, intervention messages need to be acceptable and appropriate for this population. The current study compa...
doi.org
May 21, 2025 at 2:35 PM
1/4 🚭 New from our lab in BMC Public Health!
We tested 124 digital smoking cessation messages with over 300 young adults who smoke. Acceptance- and distraction-based messages were rated similarly overall, with some but key differences by sociodemographics.
doi.org/10.1186/s128...
We tested 124 digital smoking cessation messages with over 300 young adults who smoke. Acceptance- and distraction-based messages were rated similarly overall, with some but key differences by sociodemographics.
doi.org/10.1186/s128...
Excited to have this paper out in @apsad-dar.bsky.social: We collected EMA data on drinking in the postpartum period and found that maternal self-efficacy may be a more relevant intervention target than drinking self-efficacy.
🆕 Alcohol Use in the Early Postpartum Period: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study to Understand the Role of Self-Efficacy
Sarah Dauber, @janardan.bsky.social, Alexa Beacham, Allison West, Minerva Francis, Timothy Regan, @drjthrul.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Sarah Dauber, @janardan.bsky.social, Alexa Beacham, Allison West, Minerva Francis, Timothy Regan, @drjthrul.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Alcohol Use in the Early Postpartum Period: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study to Understand the Role of Self‐Efficacy
Introduction
This study investigated daily associations between maternal self-efficacy (MSE), drinking self-efficacy (DSE), alcohol urges and alcohol use in the first 6 weeks postpartum, with the go.....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
May 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Excited to have this paper out in @apsad-dar.bsky.social: We collected EMA data on drinking in the postpartum period and found that maternal self-efficacy may be a more relevant intervention target than drinking self-efficacy.
Reposted by Johannes Thrul
What are Zyn nicotine pouches and how can they impact health?
@meghannnn.bsky.social and @drjthrul.bsky.social explains how they work, how they’re marketed, and what we know—and don’t yet know—about their long-term health effects.
Listen now: podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/889-zyn-nico...
@meghannnn.bsky.social and @drjthrul.bsky.social explains how they work, how they’re marketed, and what we know—and don’t yet know—about their long-term health effects.
Listen now: podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/889-zyn-nico...
May 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
What are Zyn nicotine pouches and how can they impact health?
@meghannnn.bsky.social and @drjthrul.bsky.social explains how they work, how they’re marketed, and what we know—and don’t yet know—about their long-term health effects.
Listen now: podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/889-zyn-nico...
@meghannnn.bsky.social and @drjthrul.bsky.social explains how they work, how they’re marketed, and what we know—and don’t yet know—about their long-term health effects.
Listen now: podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/889-zyn-nico...
Do you want to capture health behavior as it happens? My summer institute on EMA is coming up at the end of this month. Spots are limited - don't miss out! @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @dmh-bsph.bsky.social
1/2 ✨Join me at the end of May on Zoom for my Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Summer Institute! Learn to design and conduct studies with real-time data collection in everyday life. Gain hands-on experience with EMA study setup. 📱🧠
🗓️ May 28-29 📍Zoom
publichealth.jhu.edu/course/42016
🗓️ May 28-29 📍Zoom
publichealth.jhu.edu/course/42016
May 7, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Do you want to capture health behavior as it happens? My summer institute on EMA is coming up at the end of this month. Spots are limited - don't miss out! @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @dmh-bsph.bsky.social
Reposted by Johannes Thrul
“The fact that alcohol causes cancer is not widely known in the U.S.,” says Johannes Thrul, associate professor in the Department of Mental Health. Learn more about the effort to add warning labels to alcoholic beverages. magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/why-alc...
Why Alcohol Needs a Cancer Warning Label | Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine
Less than half of Americans know that they’re increasing their cancer risk by drinking alcohol. Updated warning labels could help raise awareness.
magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu
May 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM
“The fact that alcohol causes cancer is not widely known in the U.S.,” says Johannes Thrul, associate professor in the Department of Mental Health. Learn more about the effort to add warning labels to alcoholic beverages. magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/why-alc...
1/2 📢 Most Americans don’t know that drinking alcohol causes cancer, and current warning labels aren’t addressing this issue. I spoke with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Magazine about why it’s time for stronger, clearer labels that inform and protect consumers.
May 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
1/2 📢 Most Americans don’t know that drinking alcohol causes cancer, and current warning labels aren’t addressing this issue. I spoke with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Magazine about why it’s time for stronger, clearer labels that inform and protect consumers.
1/2 A few weeks ago Meghan Moran and I joined @publichealthpod.bsky.social to talk about ZYN oral nicotine pouches: their rise in popularity, potential health risks, and why researchers are paying close attention. 📢
Episode now live: johnshopkinssph.libsyn.com/889-zyn-nico...
Episode now live: johnshopkinssph.libsyn.com/889-zyn-nico...
Public Health On Call: 889 - Zyn Nicotine Pouches
About this episode: Zyn nicotine pouches are suddenly everywhere. What are they and how can they impact health? In this episode: A look at the popular products, what they are and how they work, how th...
johnshopkinssph.libsyn.com
May 1, 2025 at 5:09 PM
1/2 A few weeks ago Meghan Moran and I joined @publichealthpod.bsky.social to talk about ZYN oral nicotine pouches: their rise in popularity, potential health risks, and why researchers are paying close attention. 📢
Episode now live: johnshopkinssph.libsyn.com/889-zyn-nico...
Episode now live: johnshopkinssph.libsyn.com/889-zyn-nico...
1/2 ✨Join me at the end of May on Zoom for my Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Summer Institute! Learn to design and conduct studies with real-time data collection in everyday life. Gain hands-on experience with EMA study setup. 📱🧠
🗓️ May 28-29 📍Zoom
publichealth.jhu.edu/course/42016
🗓️ May 28-29 📍Zoom
publichealth.jhu.edu/course/42016
April 24, 2025 at 2:50 PM
1/2 ✨Join me at the end of May on Zoom for my Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Summer Institute! Learn to design and conduct studies with real-time data collection in everyday life. Gain hands-on experience with EMA study setup. 📱🧠
🗓️ May 28-29 📍Zoom
publichealth.jhu.edu/course/42016
🗓️ May 28-29 📍Zoom
publichealth.jhu.edu/course/42016
1/2 New @jama.com study by @bryantshuey.bsky.social shows young women now binge drink more than men—a reversal of past trends. I spoke with @npr.org about potential reasons and why this matters for public health.
📄 Study: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
🎧 Interview: www.npr.org/2025/04/17/n...
📄 Study: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
🎧 Interview: www.npr.org/2025/04/17/n...
JAMA study finds young women binge drinking slightly more than men of same age
A study in JAMA says young women, age 18 to 25, are binge drinking slightly more than men the same age. The good news: Drinking is down for both young men and women compared to earlier generations.
www.npr.org
April 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
1/2 New @jama.com study by @bryantshuey.bsky.social shows young women now binge drink more than men—a reversal of past trends. I spoke with @npr.org about potential reasons and why this matters for public health.
📄 Study: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
🎧 Interview: www.npr.org/2025/04/17/n...
📄 Study: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
🎧 Interview: www.npr.org/2025/04/17/n...
1/3 Now officially published: Our re-analysis of @cjferguson1111.bsky.social's meta-analysis. Our findings suggest social media reduction or abstinence interventions can have small, but significant mental health benefits.
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @dmh-bsph.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1037/ppm0...
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @dmh-bsph.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1037/ppm0...
April 11, 2025 at 3:59 PM
1/3 Now officially published: Our re-analysis of @cjferguson1111.bsky.social's meta-analysis. Our findings suggest social media reduction or abstinence interventions can have small, but significant mental health benefits.
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @dmh-bsph.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1037/ppm0...
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @dmh-bsph.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1037/ppm0...
1/2 In our latest paper we find that mindfulness-based interventions 🧘♂️📱show promise in tackling problematic tech use (gaming, social media, smartphones). Early evidence points to improved emotional self-regulation, but robust trials are needed.
authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
March 27, 2025 at 11:42 AM
1/2 In our latest paper we find that mindfulness-based interventions 🧘♂️📱show promise in tackling problematic tech use (gaming, social media, smartphones). Early evidence points to improved emotional self-regulation, but robust trials are needed.
authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...