Marijuana users are at a significantly higher risk of developing a psychotic disorder.
People who first use cannabis for self-medication purposes have been associated with a higher average rate of consumption as well as increased anxiety, depression, and paranoia, according to a new study published in the journal BMJ Mental Health.
The study participants reported a mean weekly consumption of 206 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) units. The THC unit is a standardized measure of the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.
“Initiating cannabis use for anxiety, depression or because ‘family members were using it’ was associated with higher weekly THC units,” the study said.
Using cannabis for the first time to relieve physical discomfort, pain, anxiety, depression, and minor psychotic symptoms were linked to higher paranoia scores.
However, starting cannabis usage for “fun” or “curiosity” was associated with lower paranoia and anxiety, while usage for “boredom” was linked to increased depression.
Based on data collected from the study, 69.8 percent reported starting to use cannabis because of friends, 62.3 percent out of curiosity, and 52.7 percent for fun.
About 15.4 percent reported starting use to relieve anxiety, 13.8 percent to relieve depression, 7.6 percent to relieve pain, and 6 percent to relieve physical discomfort.
The peer-reviewed study looked at how reasons for first using cannabis impacted later-use patterns and mental health outcomes for the individuals.
It analyzed data from 3,389 people with lifetime use of cannabis, collected between March 2022 and July 2024, and was done by researchers mostly from King’s College London. The results were published on Aug. 26.
Participants were all above the age of 18, residents of the London area or able to travel, English speakers, and did not have a past diagnosis of psychotic disorders. They had a mean age of 30.9 years, and a majority were white, British, and employed.
Data for the study were taken from the Cannabis&Me population survey. Cannabis&Me has been supported by various charitable trusts. The funders were not involved in the design and conduct of the study or the collection, management, analysis, or interpretation of the data. Two of the study authors reported fees from pharmaceutical companies such as Janssen, Lundbeck, Sunovion, and Otsuka. No other authors declared any conflict of interest.
