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A naturalistic examination of the perceived effects of cannabis on negative affect.

Carrie Cuttler, Alexander Spradlin, Ryan J Mclaughlin

Journal of Affective Disorders August 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.04.054 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study using self-reported app data analyzed with multilevel modeling Peer reviewed
Sample size 11,953
Population Medical cannabis users who tracked symptoms using the Strainprint app
Topics Anxiety Cannabis Depression
Keywords Dose effects Multilevel modeling Stress
Key findings Cannabis use was associated with perceived short-term reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress, with 50% lower depression and 58% lower anxiety and stress ratings reported after use. However, baseline symptoms of depression, but not anxiety or stress, appeared to be exacerbated across time and tracked sessions, suggesting continued use may worsen depression over time.

Abstract

Cannabis is commonly used to alleviate symptoms of negative affect. However, a paucity of research has examined the acute effects of cannabis on negative affect in everyday life. The current study provides a naturalistic account of perceived changes in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress as a function of dose and concentration of Δ9tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Data from the app StrainprintTM (which provides medical cannabis users a means of tracking changes in symptoms as a function of different doses and chemotypes of cannabis) were analyzed using multilevel modeling. In total, 11,953 tracked sessions were analyzed (3,151 for depression, 5,085 for anxiety, and 3,717 for stress). Medical cannabis users perceived a 50% reduction in depression and a 58% reduction in anxiety and stress following cannabis use. Two puffs were sufficient to reduce ratings of depression and anxiety, while 10+ puffs produced the greatest perceived reductions in stress. High CBD (>9.5%)/low THC (<5.5%) cannabis was associated with the largest changes in depression ratings, while high CBD (>11%)/high THC (>26.5%) cannabis produced the largest perceived changes in stress. No changes in the perceived efficacy of cannabis were detected across time. However, baseline symptoms of depression (but not anxiety or stress) appeared to be exacerbated across time/tracked sessions. The primary limitations are the self-selected nature of the sample and the inability to control for expectancy effects. Cannabis reduces perceived symptoms of negative affect in the short-term, but continued use may exacerbate baseline symptoms of depression over time.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on cannabis for anxiety, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Former chronic methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) users report mild depressive symptoms Former chronic ecstasy users 2001 Observational cohort n = 29
Rates and correlates of cannabis-associated psychotic symptoms in over 230,000 people who use cannabis International sample of people who use cannabis (PWUC) 2022 Observational cohort n = 233,475
Who Turns to Amazonian Medicine for Treatment of Substance Use Disorder? Patient Characteristics at the Takiwasi Addiction Treatment Center Patients with substance use disorders seeking treatment 2020 Observational study
Long-Term Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Associated with Naturalistic Ayahuasca Consumption. Adults with no prior exposure to ayahuasca participating in neo-shamanic ayahuasca... 2025 Prospective cohort study n = 66
Naturalistic use of psychedelics is associated with longitudinal improvements in anxiety and depression during global crisis times. Citizen science cohort recruited agnostically to an interest in drug use 2025 Observational cohort n = 242,260

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