Does cannabis increase depression and anxiety?

Whether cannabis triggers depression or anxiety disorders has not been conclusively clarified by current research. The BIÖG writes that studies indicate that strong cannabis use can increase the risk of depression. Cannabis use in adolescence is associated with an increased risk of depression or suicidal thoughts in adulthood. Those who use high-strength cannabis are presumably more likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder. As short-term risks, the BIÖG names fear and feelings of panic. This article explains what can be said about depression and anxiety, which warning signs matter and where help is available.

What can be said about mood

Drugcom lists a lifted mood and a sense of calm among the experiences people find pleasant. Unpleasant experiences include, among others, a depressed mood, restlessness and anxiety. Panic reactions are also possible. Drugcom also describes that psychological problems such as depression or anxiety symptoms increase the risk of misusing cannabis as self-medication. In many cases, the actual problem then lies in the underlying psychological difficulty.

Research looks at mood and the psyche from several directions. Some studies look for connections, others for causes. For those affected, it is decisive that use and psychological strain are considered together. No finding about an individual person can be derived from this.

Psychosis: a described connection

The BIÖG points out that people who use cannabis more often develop psychosis than people who do not. According to the BIÖG, a person in psychosis temporarily loses touch with reality and develops hallucinations and delusions. Drugcom writes that it is not yet considered conclusively proven that cannabis causes lasting psychosis. The indications are, however, accumulating that cannabis can trigger a previously hidden schizophrenia.

Anyone dealing with depression or anxiety should therefore also keep the risk of psychosis in mind. If changes that persist for several days are noticed after use, medical help should be sought.

Keeping psychological dependence in view

Drugcom points out that psychological dependence can develop with long-term use. According to drugcom, those affected feel that they can no longer manage without cannabis. The BIÖG gives an order of magnitude: roughly one in eight people who use cannabis become dependent.

Especially with depression or anxiety, the temptation to use cannabis as protection can be great. It is worth checking honestly whether use is still a choice or has already become a habit that is no longer controlled.

Taking warning signs seriously

Not every bad phase is an emergency. Persistent low mood, severe anxiety, social withdrawal or loss of interest in things once loved are signals that should not be ignored. The same applies if sleep, eating or concentration clearly suffer.

• How long has the feeling lasted, and is it getting worse?
• Am I using cannabis to cope with feelings, or out of habit?
• Have other people in my environment noticed changes?
• Is it hard for me to reduce or stop my use?

If you answer any of these questions with yes, a conversation with a doctor is worthwhile.

Pre-existing conditions and medication

Anyone who already suffers from depression, an anxiety disorder or another mental illness should discuss their use with the treating person. This applies particularly if medication is being taken. Interactions are individual, and no one can judge them reliably from a distance.

Medical cannabis is dispensed under the Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG) only on medical prescription. This decision also belongs in medical hands and should not be replaced by self-experiments.

Where to find help

In acute distress, the emergency number helps. In everyday life, GPs are the first point of contact, and they refer to specialists where needed. Addiction counselling services offer conversations, often also online. The online counselling at suchtberatung.digital and the information on drugcom.de are good starting points.

Relatives can also seek advice. Anyone worried about a person does not have to carry the situation alone.

Self-medication with cannabis: why this is risky

Cannabis does not replace the treatment of depression or anxiety. Drugcom describes how, where there is an underlying psychological problem, cannabis can become a “crutch” for getting through everyday life.

Drugcom points out that psychological dependence can develop with long-term use. Anyone who wants to regulate feelings with cannabis should therefore question this regularly. Such a look at one’s own habits is part of prevention.

The risk of psychosis named by the BIÖG adds to this. Especially when psychological strain already exists, that is a reason to discuss use openly with a doctor. The decision on therapy and medication is made by the treating person together with you.

What relatives can do

Relatives can calmly raise what they notice, for example with a sentence beginning “I am worried”.

Relatives need support themselves. Addiction counselling services also offer conversations for families. There it can be clarified which boundaries to set and how to protect oneself, without taking on responsibility for the other person.

It is important to take the situation seriously. If someone withdraws, can hardly manage everyday life or speaks of hopelessness, medical help is needed. In acute crises, the emergency number is part of this.

Support groups and self-help

Conversations with people who have had similar experiences can relieve pressure. Self-help groups and addiction counselling offers run such conversations. You can find out whether there is an offer near you from an addiction counselling service or online.

Anyone who prefers to get in touch in writing will find counselling offers online. Such offers do not replace medical treatment. They do, however, help with the first step.

What you can do now

• Note use and mood for one week to identify patterns.
• Speak with a doctor about depression, anxiety and use.
• In a crisis, call the emergency number immediately or go to an emergency department.
• Use an addiction counselling service locally or online if use is hard to control.

The question of how cannabis dependence can be recognised is answered in the article on cannabis dependence. Which pre-existing conditions raise the risk of psychosis is explained in the article on risk factors for psychosis. An overview of all health effects is given in the article on the health effects overall.