Smoking cannabis does not make you anxious or depressed

A new study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry concludes that using cannabis as an adult is not associated with mood or anxiety disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder.

It contradicts old research which showed that cannabis use is associated with depression and anxiety.

The researchers examined the liabilities of 35,000 American adults who were participating in a large national study, the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. They examined the prevalence of cannabis use among study participants in 2001 and 2002, and then checked rates of mental health problems 3 years later in 2004 and 2005.

After controlling for a variety of confounding factors, such as socio-demographic characteristics, family history and environment, and past and present psychiatric disorders, the study shows that «cannabis use is not associated with an increased risk of developing mood or anxiety disorders».

But there's no need to light up a joint to celebrate this conclusion. The study shows an association between cannabis and future substance use disorders such as alcohol, tobacco and cannabis. or other drugs. Not surprising: when you consume a product, you're more likely to abuse it.

Why does this study contradict previous ones? The lead researcher, Mark Olfson of Columbia University, believes that the links between cannabis and psychiatric disorders are primarily due to confounding factors rather than substance use.

The new study calls for further research to discredit the connection between cannabis and mental health. This is indeed important, as the federal government is currently basing itself on old studies that seem inaccurate in the light of the latest findings.