![\"Depression](\"https:\/\/thepublichealthreview.com\/\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/shared\/medicinal-3447615_640.jpg\")
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Depressive disorders affect a growing number of people worldwide, with a marked increase in cases over the past few decades. In the United States, nearly 8% of adults experience a major depressive episode each year, a severe form of depression that disrupts daily life. At the same time, cannabis use has become widespread, making it one of the most commonly consumed psychoactive substances. However, the consequences of this use on mental health, particularly among already vulnerable individuals, remain poorly understood.<\/p>\n
A recent study reveals that adults with depressive disorders before their first cannabis use have a 58% increased risk of developing a dependence on this substance. This risk is particularly pronounced among men, young adults, and individuals with a high school-level education. The results show that the cumulative probability of developing cannabis dependence is systematically higher in these individuals, starting as early as the first year after the onset of their use. For example, after five years, nearly 20% of depressed individuals become dependent, compared to only 12% for those without a history of depression.<\/p>\n
Depressive disorders, such as major depression or dysthymia, are characterized by persistent sadness, a loss of interest in daily activities, and intense fatigue. These symptoms may lead some people to use cannabis in the hope of relieving their suffering. This practice, known as self-medication, can however worsen the situation by reinforcing consumption and accelerating the transition to dependence. Cannabis withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, sleep disturbances, or depressive mood, often overlap with those of depression, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break.<\/p>\n
Depressed men appear to be more at risk of developing dependence than women, even though women are generally more affected by depression. This difference could be explained by distinct consumption patterns: men tend to consume larger quantities and prefer more concentrated methods, such as joints or vaporizers. Additionally, their tendency to take risks and their impulsivity may play a role in this increased vulnerability.<\/p>\n
The findings of this study highlight the importance of targeting depressed individuals in prevention efforts. Healthcare professionals should be particularly vigilant with their patients who use cannabis, whether for recreational or medical purposes. Special attention should be given to self-medication motivations, and regular follow-up could help prevent the worsening of mental health issues.<\/p>\n
Cannabis dependence, or cannabis use disorder, is characterized by a loss of control over consumption, excessive use despite negative consequences, and a significant impact on personal, social, and professional life. Between 20% and 33% of adults who use cannabis develop this dependence, a figure that could rise with increasing legalization and the greater availability of increasingly potent products.<\/p>\n
This study sheds light on a clear link between depression and cannabis dependence, offering insights to better understand the underlying mechanisms and adapt prevention strategies. It also serves as a reminder that cannabis use, often perceived as harmless, can have serious consequences, especially for those already psychologically fragile.<\/p>\n
DOI:<\/strong> https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11469-026-01684-6<\/a><\/p>\n Title:<\/strong> Risk of Cannabis Use Disorder Among Adults with Pre-Existing Depression: Evidence from the U.S. NESARC-III (2012\u20132013)<\/p>\n Journal:<\/strong> International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction<\/p>\n Publisher:<\/strong> Springer Science and Business Media LLC<\/p>\n Authors:<\/strong> Or Gliksberg; Daniel Feingold; Shaul Lev-Ran; Zachary Mannes; Priscila Dib Gon\u00e7alves; Deborah Hasin; Silvia S. Martins; Ofir Livne<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Depression Increases the Risk of Cannabis Dependence in Adults Depressive disorders affect a growing number of people worldwide, with a marked increase in cases over the past few decades. In the United States, nearly 8% of adults experience a major depressive episode each year, a severe form of depression that disrupts daily life. At the… Continue reading Depression Increases the Risk of Cannabis Dependence in Adults<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health","category-international","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepublichealthreview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepublichealthreview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepublichealthreview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepublichealthreview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepublichealthreview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thepublichealthreview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60,"href":"https:\/\/thepublichealthreview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions\/60"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepublichealthreview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepublichealthreview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepublichealthreview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}