The use of marijuana to deal with stress or trauma can be counterproductive, studies warn

Cannabis is strengthening, research has demonstrated, and also its health risks.

Two new studies raise red flags on how the use of marijuana can increase paranoia and mental health struggles, especially for people who begin to use it to deal with anxiety, depression or past trauma.

The first study, published in BMJ Mental Health, analyzed more than 3,000 adults that currently or used cannabis.

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The researchers found that the people who first tested marijuana to deal with pain, stress or depression were much more likely to fight with paranoia later.

Those who only used it out of curiosity or for fun had the lowest levels of paranoia and anxiety.

They also measured how much people consumed. On average, the participants reported that they used the equivalent of 10 to 17 joints per week, with today’s strains widely reported as much stronger than in recent decades.

According to the American Psychology Association, in the 1960s and 1970s, marijuana averaged approximately 1% of THC; Today, many products reach 30% and concentrates can reach 90-95%.

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The researcher Tom Freeman, a professor at the University of Bath, suggested that cannabis could be tracked as alcohol by standard “THC” units, so that users know exactly how much they are consuming and what could mean for their health.

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“This study stands out even more than the use of youth cannabis can be destructive for brain development,” said Riana Durrett, director of the Cannabis Unlv Policy Institute, News Digital.

“Although there are variable opinions on the Cannabis Law and policy reform, everyone may agree that young people’s prevention is essential for public health and future generations.”

Durrett, who did not participate in the study, also noted that the findings help confirm the connections between trauma, anxiety and cannabis consumption, which are also backed by the previous research of UNLV.

“There is convincing evidence that cannabis should not be used to self -medicate for anxiety, although there may be other important medical benefits that also deserve research and care,” he said.

More research is needed on how cannabis use is compared to alcohol, Durrett added.

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The second study, published in Psychological Medicine, dug in the link between children’s trauma, paranoia and the use of cannabis.

Participants who experienced some type of trauma, such as physical or emotional abuse, were more likely to suffer from paranoia, and marijuana worsened.

Dr. Giulia Trotta, psychiatrist of King’s College London and the main author of the first study, said that cannabis seems to “exacerbate the effects” of trauma, depending on what a person happened. She urges doctors to evaluate patients with paranoia for a trauma history.

Why does it matter now

As cannabis legalization is expanded, more people resort to marijuana to relieve stress, pain or trauma. But experts warn that self -medication can be counterproductive.

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Professor Marta Di Forti of King’s College London, who worked on both studies, said the findings are a clear warning for policy formulators.

“While some people resort to cannabis as a way of dealing with pain or trauma, this can carry significant risks for their mental health and well -being.”