Cannabis and Mental Health Symptoms: What Research Reveals About Anxiety and Depression
The relationship between cannabis and mental health continues to be a growing area of research and discussion. The study notes that the psychoactive cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been recognized as possibly managing anxiety symptoms, while some studies suggest cannabis use is associated with higher frequencies of mental health conditions especially among frequent users though the evidence is mixed. For any cannabis user, this dual effect raises questions about both benefits and risks. Additionally, sleep disturbances are a common side effect of anxiety and depression, the study noted.
Individuals using cannabis for medical conditions are more likely to choose homeopathic treatments over FDA-approved medications, the study added. These medications might include benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). For a cannabis user seeking alternatives, these findings highlight the importance of medical guidance when balancing natural and prescription approaches.
Study Overview: Cannabis, Anxiety, and Depression
This research was a secondary analysis of a previously published cross-sectional study on cannabis and sleep. The 195 adult participants were confirmed cannabis users or non-users and completed Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Cannabis exposure in the participants was confirmed through urinary THC metabolites.
The study, titled “Frequency of cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety and depression: a cross-sectional analysis of the Colorado cannabis users health cohort,” was published in the Journal of Cannabis Research in October 2025. It was described as one of the largest studies to examine anxiety, depression, prescription medication information, and biologic measurements among cannabis users.
Results: Higher Anxiety Among Frequent Cannabis Users
The results indicated that frequent use of cannabis was associated with a higher occurrence of anxiety (using both the HADS and BAI measurements) but not of depression. Use of FDA-approved medications did not differ between frequent users, infrequent users, or non-users. Levels of cannabinoids were not associated with symptom severity for anxiety or depression. The most common reasons for using cannabis, according to the participants, were sleep, anxiety, stress, and pain reduction all common motivators for the modern cannabis user.
Limitations and Future Research
Limitations of the study included not tracking dosages or THC potency, and possible selection bias since participants were recruited from dispensaries. Still, researchers concluded that anxiety among frequent cannabis users did not coincide with medication use. They noted that a cannabis user might be self-treating anxiety, suggesting the need for better mental health screening among adults who use cannabis.
Overall, the findings encourage every cannabis user to approach use mindfully and to consult professionals when managing anxiety or depression symptoms.
Reference
- Steeger, CM.; Tandukar, P.; Hoth, KF. et al. Frequency of cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety and depression: a cross-sectional analysis of the Colorado cannabis users health cohort. J Cannabis Res. 2025. 7, 78. DOI: 10.1186/s42238-025-00327-2.
