←Depression Risk
Study register · detail Prospektive Geburtskohortenstudie · Depression Risk · 2007

Cannabis and Anxiety and Depression in Young Adults

HAYATBAKHSH et al. ·Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Harm GRADE Low 255 citations
Samplen = 3.239 Pat.
DurationBirth to 21 years
ControlNo or later/less frequent cannabis use
EndpointAnxiety and depression…
Blindingn.a.
DesignProspektive Geburtskohortenstudie
Key finding

Early onset and frequent cannabis use are associated, independently of other influencing factors, with a significantly increased risk of anxiety and depression in young adulthood.

Summary

Prospective cohort n=3.239 Australian young adults (birth to age 21); early cannabis use before age 15 combined with frequent use at age 21 associated with >3-fold increased risk of anxiety/depression (OR=3,4; 95% CI 1,9–6,1), independent of other drug use.

P
PopulationAustralian birth cohort of young adults (age 21 years), n=3.239
I
InterventionEarly onset (before age 15) and frequent cannabis use at age 21
C
ControlNo or later/less frequent cannabis use
O
OutcomeIncreased risk of anxiety and depression symptoms with early onset and frequent use (OR 3,4; 95% CI 1,9–6,1)
Confidence in the evidence
Low

The second of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is of limited reliability.

Quality profile
Sample size ★★★★★
Blinding —
Effect size Harm
Citations / year ★★★★★
Authors
HAYATBAKHSH M R, NAJMAN J M, JAMROZIK K et al.
DOI 10.1097/chi.0b013e31802dc54d↗
Design: Prospektive Geburtskohortenstudie
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Abstract
<h4>Objective</h4>To examine whether age of first use or frequency of use of cannabis is associated with anxiety and depression (AD) in young adults, independent of known potential confounders, including the use of other illicit drugs.<h4>Method</h4>A cohort of 3,239 Australian young adults was followed from birth to the age of 21 when data on AD were obtained from sample members along with information on their use of cannabis at 21 years. Potential confounding factors were prospectively measured when the child was born and at 14 years.<h4>Results</h4>After controlling for confounding factors, those who started using cannabis before age 15 years and used it frequently at 21 years were more likely to report symptoms of AD in early adulthood (odds ratio 3.4; 95% CI 1.9-6.1). This association was of similar magnitude for those who had only used cannabis and those who reported having used cannabis and other illicit drugs.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The relationship between early-onset and frequent use of cannabis and symptoms of AD is independent of individual and family backgrounds. Frequent cannabis use is associated with increased AD in young adults independently of whether the person also uses other illicit drugs.
Indication
Further studies on Depression Risk
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S Pini Alemar et al. · 2026 · Journal of psychiatric research
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The association between major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder: A meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis.
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Meta-Analyse zur bidirektionalen Assoziation zwischen Major Depression (MDD) und Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD); k=55 Studien, n=3.279.774 Teilnehmende (454.547 mit CUD, 112.328 mit MDD). Aktuelle MDD-Prävalenz bei CUD-Patienten: 19,24% (psychiatrische Stichproben) bzw. 21,65% (Community-Stichproben). Aktuelle CUD-Prävalenz bei MDD-Patienten: 28,45% (psychiatrisch) vs. 4,61% (Community). Starke bidirektionale Komorbidität über verschiedene Settings hinweg; kein Publikationsbias (Egger-Test).

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S Jefsen et al. · 2023 · JAMA Psychiatry
63 citations
Cannabis Use Disorder and Subsequent Risk of Psychotic and Nonpsychotic Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Disorder.
Clear benefit Prospektive populationsbasierte Kohortenstudie (nationale Register)

Prospektive dänische Registerstudie (n=6.651.765, 119,5 Mio. Personenjahre, 1995–2021): Cannabis-Use-Disorder (CUD) assoziiert mit erhöhtem Risiko für unipolare Depression HR=1,84 (95%-KI 1,78–1,90), psychotische Depression HR=1,97 (95%-KI 1,73–2,25). CUD → bipolare Störung Männer HR=2,96 (95%-KI 2,73–3,21), Frauen HR=2,54 (95%-KI 2,31–2,80); psychotische bipolare Störung HR=4,05 (95%-KI 3,52–4,65). Adjustiert für Alkohol-/Substanzstörungen, Elternanamnese und weitere Kovariablen.

10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.1256 View study →

The impediment to action advances action. — Marcus Aurelius