A new study suggests that people who visit the emergency department (ED) due to cannabis use may have a much higher risk of developing anxiety disorders. Within three years, 27% of these individuals were diagnosed with a new anxiety disorder, compared to only 5.6% of the general population.
This research, led by experts from the Bruyère Research Institute, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, and ICES, is the largest study to date examining the connection between cannabis use and anxiety. The study, published in eClinicalMedicine, analyzed the health records of over 12 million people in Ontario, Canada, between 2008 and 2019.
Researchers compared individuals who had an ED visit for cannabis use with the general population who had no prior diagnosis or treatment for anxiety. They found that cannabis users were not only at higher risk of developing anxiety but also more likely to experience severe anxiety requiring hospitalization or further emergency treatment.
Key Findings
- Higher risk of new anxiety disorders: 27.5% of individuals who had an ED visit for cannabis use developed a new anxiety disorder within three years. This is nearly four times higher than the general population (5.6%).
- Increased risk of severe anxiety: 12.3% of cannabis users ended up in the hospital or ED for anxiety, compared to just 1.2% of the general population.
- Extremely high risk for heavy users: If cannabis was the main reason for an ED visit, the risk of needing hospital care for anxiety increased by 9.4 times compared to the general population.
- Men, young adults at higher risk: Both men and women who used cannabis faced higher risks, but young adults (ages 10–24) and men had the greatest chance of developing anxiety disorders.
Does Cannabis Cause Anxiety?
One major question is whether cannabis use causes anxiety disorders or if people with anxiety are more likely to use cannabis for self-medication. This study does not provide a direct answer, but the findings suggest that cannabis use could make anxiety worse rather than help it.
Some people believe cannabis can reduce anxiety, but there is no strong scientific evidence to support this. The study’s authors warn that using cannabis to manage anxiety symptoms could delay proper medical treatment and may actually worsen anxiety over time.
A Growing Concern
Cannabis use has increased significantly in Canada over the past 15 years, and many people assume it is safe or even beneficial for health. However, this study suggests that for some individuals, heavy cannabis use could lead to serious mental health problems.
The findings highlight the need for more awareness about the potential risks of cannabis use, especially for young people and those with existing anxiety issues. While cannabis may have some medical benefits in certain cases, using it as a self-treatment for anxiety may do more harm than good.
If you care about depression, please read studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
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The research findings can be found in eClinicalMedicine.
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