Sip, savor, but don’t spill: mindfulness enhances alcohol enjoyment without boosting consumption

IF 3.6 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-09-24 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108505

Ran Ma , Xingzhe Wu , Wei Xu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Brief mindfulness meditation induction effectively reduces addictive behaviors in clinical populations, yet their impact on non-addicted individuals remains unclear. This study investigated whether brief mindfulness practice amplifies alcohol enjoyment and consumption in healthy young adults. Across two randomized controlled trials (Study 1: N = 67; Study 2: N = 89), participants with low-risk drinking profiles completed a 16-minute mindfulness induction or a neutral control task, followed by alcohol tasting and behavioral measures. Results revealed that mindfulness significantly enhanced subjective alcohol enjoyment (Study 1: d = 0.45, p = 0.01; Study 2: d = 0.45, p = 0.04) and increased positive affect while reducing negative emotion (d = 0.95–1.20, p < 0.001), but did not alter actual consumption. An Implicit Association Test (IAT) in Study 2 showed no group differences in implicit attitudes toward alcohol versus tea. These findings indicate that brief mindfulness may intensify affective and sensory responses without increasing use—possibly due to a dissociation between reward sensitivity and behavioral impulse. The results align with dual-process theories of mindfulness (e.g., Monitor and Acceptance Theory, Mindfulness-to-Meaning Theory), and highlight the importance of aligning mindfulness practices with motivational and regulatory goals to avoid unintended reinforcement of substance-related pleasure in non-addicted populations.

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小口啜饮，细细品味，但不要洒出来：正念增强了酒精的享受，但不会刺激消费。

在临床人群中，短暂的正念冥想诱导有效地减少了成瘾行为，但它们对非成瘾个体的影响尚不清楚。这项研究调查了短暂的正念练习是否会增加健康年轻人的酒精享受和消费。在两项随机对照试验（研究1:N = 67；研究2:N = 89）中，低风险饮酒的参与者完成了16分钟的正念诱导或中性对照任务，随后进行了酒精品尝和行为测量。结果显示，正念显著增强了主观酒精享受（研究1:d = 0.45,p = 0.01；研究2:d = 0.45,p = 0.04），增加了积极情绪，减少了消极情绪(d = 0.95-1.20,p

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.