Individuals who use tobacco and cannabis have higher rates of depression and anxiety, researchers say.

A recent study, carried out by a team of researchers from the University of California San Francisco, has found a big association between tobacco and cannabis use and better rates of depression and anxiety. Researchers examined data from 53,843 adults within the U.S. who participated in online surveys as a part of the COVID-19 Residents Health Study, conducted from 2020 to 2022.

Among the many participants, 4.9% reported using only tobacco, 6.9% reported using only cannabis and 1.6% reported using each substances. The research team found 26.5% of participants within the co-use group experienced anxiety and 28.3% reported depression. The danger of tension and depression was lower in individuals who didn’t use either tobacco or cannabis – 10.6% and 11.2% respectively.

Individuals who used each substances were roughly 1.8 times more prone to have mental health disorders in comparison with non-users. Moreover, co-use and cannabis-only use were related to a better risk of tension in comparison with tobacco-only use.

Tobacco and cannabis are amongst essentially the most incessantly used substances on the planet. Researchers say the usage of these substances has develop into more frequent due to expanding legalization of cannabis within the nation.

Though the study doesn’t determine the causation, researchers suggest the co-use of tobacco and cannabis is linked to poorer mental health outcomes. Integrating mental health support into tobacco and cannabis cessation programs may assist in addressing the association.

“Engaging in each tobacco and cannabis is linked to diminished mental well-being,” the researchers wrote.

Depression and anxiety within the U.S.

Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depression impacts roughly 16 million adults annually within the U.S. Normally, roughly one in six adults will encounter depression sooner or later of their lifetime. It isn’t selective and may affect people of all ages or backgrounds.

It’s normal for individuals with depression to also experience other mental health conditions. Depression often coincides with anxiety disorders, like intense and uncontrollable feelings of tension, nervousness, fear, worry and panic. Anxiety disorders could be chronic and last for a very long time, making it difficult for people to perform day by day activities.

The CDC says smoking is more common in adults who experience mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, than the overall population. Within the U.S., roughly three out of each 10 cigarettes are consumed by individuals with mental health conditions.

Treatments for depression and anxiety

The treatment for depression and anxiety disorders can differ from one individual to a different. It often involves medication like antidepressants, talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Published by Medicaldaily.com