this post was submitted on 26 Feb 2026
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Major Canadian study finds strong link between cannabis, anxiety and depression (healthsci.mcmaster.ca)
submitted 1 day ago by Beep@lemmus.org to c/science@lemmy.world
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  • The number of people reporting generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive episode nearly doubled, increasing to 5.2 per cent and 7.6 per cent, respectively.
  • Suicidality didn’t change much in adults but increased by 44 per cent among youth. Younger Canadians also saw some of the strongest cannabis–mental health connections.
  • The number of people using cannabis multiple times a week more than doubled, while the number of people who reported using cannabis in the last year increased to 20.7 per cent.
  • Canadians who used cannabis at any level, compared to those who did not, were more likely to meet criteria for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive episode and report suicidality. The connection between cannabis use and these mental health problems strengthened over time.
  • In 2022, Canadians who used cannabis regularly (two or more times a week) were about five times more likely to report anxiety, depression, or suicidality than those who did not use cannabis.
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[–] ZiggyTheZygote@lemmy.ca 12 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Does that mean that if you quit using cannabis, the anxiety and depression will tone down or disappear? Are there other factors that could increase anxiety and depression, like the state of the world we're in right now?

[–] DoubleDongle@lemmy.world 2 points 11 hours ago

Not so sure about that. I started smoking less weed after I got less depressed instead.

[–] village604@adultswim.fan 12 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

They controlled for the state of the world by not only looking at cannabis users.

But generally when you stop a substance that has negative psychological side effects, the side effects go away eventually.

But this is definitely not confirmation that cannabis causes depression or anxiety, it's just a correlation. Could be that people with depression and anxiety are self medicating.

[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (1 children)

But generally when you stop a substance that has negative psychological side effects,

That hasn't been shown by this study.

As far as this study goes, it could be showing that people use weed as a treatment for the psychological strain of a completely fucked society.

Regular sheep probably don't realize anything is wrong and/or they're drunk.

[–] village604@adultswim.fan 1 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago)

That's why I used the qualifier "generally", and why I said this isn't proof of causation and could be the result of self medication.

[–] Wondahbread@piefed.social 5 points 1 day ago

Yah, I continued using it because it helped quiet the noise in my head. 

Post hoc ergo propter hoc and all such as that.