Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Psychopharmacology Cannabis

Using cannabis to cope with stress might exacerbate depression symptoms

by Eric W. Dolan
February 1, 2020
in Cannabis, Mental Health
(Photo credit: Matthew Kenwrick)

(Photo credit: Matthew Kenwrick)

[Subscribe to PsyPost on YouTube to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in psychology and neuroscience]

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A new study published in Addictive Behaviors indicates that different motives for cannabis use are associated with different mental health outcomes. The research suggests that people with high levels of stress should avoid using cannabis to cope as doing so may worsen depressive symptoms.

“I was interested in this topic because it is very common for people to report using cannabis to cope with stress or negative affect,” said study author Nick Glodosky of Washington State University.

“However, the research that has been conducted suggests that cannabis only helps in the short-term, but over time symptoms seem to remain the same or become exacerbated. I was interested in whether different motives for using cannabis might affect the relationships between stress and negative affect.”

The researchers had 988 cannabis-using college students complete an anonymous online survey that assessed their anxiety and depressive symptoms. The survey also assessed six different motives for using cannabis.

The researchers found that using cannabis to forget one’s worries or cheer oneself up moderated the relationship between stress and depression, while using cannabis to be liked and to understand things differently moderated the relationship between stress and anxiety.

“Using cannabis to cope with stress might exacerbate the link between stress and depression, while using it to expand awareness or conform with others might aggravate the link between stress and anxiety. This means it is still important to seek therapy or find other long-term coping mechanisms when experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety, or depression,” Glodosky explained.

The findings add to a growing body of research about the relationship between cannabis use, stress, depression, and anxiety.

A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders indicated that smoking cannabis can significantly reduce short-term levels of depression, anxiety, and stress but may contribute to worse overall feelings of depression over time.

Another study, published JAMA Psychiatry, found marijuana use during adolescence before age 18 was associated with increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or attempts during young adulthood between the ages of 18 and 32.

“This is still a very new area of research, so there is a lot that we still don’t know about the long-term effects of cannabis use,” Glodosky said. “My study was also done with survey data collected at a single time point, so more longitudinal studies (tracking individual cannabis use and stress, anxiety, or depression levels over time) must be conducted to give a better idea of the cause-and-effect relationships at work.”

The study, “Motives Matter: Cannabis Use Motives Moderate the Associations between Stress and Negative Affect“, was authored by Nicholas C. Glodosky and Carrie Cuttler.

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePin3Send

STAY CONNECTED

TRENDING

Harsh mothers more likely to have poor executive functioning and interpret others’ behavior as hostile

Machiavellianism most pronounced in students of politics and law, least pronounced in students of social work, nursing and education

Surprising link between exercise and negative memory bias discovered

Psychedelic treatment linked to substantial reduction in alcohol misuse and PTSD symptoms in US Special Operations Forces Veterans

Upward comparison on social media harms body image, self-esteem, and psychological well-being

Toxoplasma gondii parasite infection linked to cognitive deterioration in schizophrenia

RECENT

Scientists find that people use emojis to hide, as well as show, their feelings

Maladaptive personality traits can lead to social rejection via problematic love styles, study suggests

Psychedelic treatment linked to substantial reduction in alcohol misuse and PTSD symptoms in US Special Operations Forces Veterans

Upward comparison on social media harms body image, self-esteem, and psychological well-being

Study finds male heterosexuality is more precarious than women’s regardless of race

Machiavellianism most pronounced in students of politics and law, least pronounced in students of social work, nursing and education

Longitudinal study finds no evidence heavier smartphone use results from or triggers heightened stress

LGB individuals do not have better auditory “gaydar” compared to heterosexuals, study finds

Currently Playing

Are you a frequent apologizer? New research indicates you might actually reap downstream benefits

Are you a frequent apologizer? New research indicates you might actually reap downstream benefits

Are you a frequent apologizer? New research indicates you might actually reap downstream benefits

Social Psychology
People with dark personality traits are better at finding novel ways to cause damage or harm others

People with dark personality traits are better at finding novel ways to cause damage or harm others

Dark Triad
Exercising in nature produces psychological benefits and measurable changes in brain activity

Exercising in nature produces psychological benefits and measurable changes in brain activity

Cognitive Science
People with social anxiety tend to engage in restrictive “safety behaviors” that make them less likable, study finds

People with social anxiety tend to engage in restrictive “safety behaviors” that make them less likable, study finds

Anxiety
Study helps untangle the complicated relationship between psychopathy and emotional awareness

Study helps untangle the complicated relationship between psychopathy and emotional awareness

Psychopathy
People exposed to phubbing by their romantic partner are less satisfied with their romantic relationship

People exposed to phubbing by their romantic partner are less satisfied with their romantic relationship

Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Psychedelic Drugs
  • Dark Triad
  • Political Psychology

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • Drug Research
  • Relationship Research
  • About PsyPost
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.