Cannabis use identified as a risk factor for loneliness in two-year study
In a two-year longitudinal study from Brazil, cannabis use was associated with a 75% higher risk of loneliness, even after controlling for demographics, while physical activity and strong family relationships were protective.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis use was significantly associated with higher loneliness risk (RR 1.750, 95% CI 1.25-2.39, p<0.001) after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Other risk factors included depressive symptoms (RR 1.214), anxiety (RR 1.191), and alcohol abuse (RR 1.579). Physical activity >150 min/week (RR 0.177) and good family relationships (RR 0.73) were protective.
Key Numbers
473 participants (87.1% female, ages 18-75). Cannabis RR: 1.750 (95% CI 1.25-2.39). Alcohol abuse RR: 1.579 (95% CI 1.32-1.88). Physical activity >150 min/week RR: 0.177 (95% CI 0.07-0.34). Good sleep quality RR: 0.483 (95% CI 0.39-0.59).
How They Did This
Two-year longitudinal study in Brazil using snowball sampling and online surveys (baseline May-June 2020). Multiple regression models adjusted for sociodemographic variables and weighted for attrition and sampling. Sample of 473 participants aged 18-75.
Why This Research Matters
Loneliness is recognized as a public health crisis with significant health consequences. Understanding modifiable risk factors, including substance use, could help develop prevention strategies.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabis had the largest risk ratio among the clinical factors studied, even exceeding alcohol abuse. However, this was a Brazilian sample recruited during COVID-19, and the direction of causation is unclear. People who are lonely may be more likely to use cannabis.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Snowball sampling with 87% female participants limits generalizability. Baseline collected during early COVID-19 pandemic may inflate loneliness and substance use. Cannot determine whether cannabis causes loneliness or vice versa. Self-reported measures.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does cannabis cause social withdrawal leading to loneliness, or do lonely people self-medicate with cannabis?
- ?Would these findings replicate outside the pandemic context?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- RR 1.75 for loneliness
- Evidence Grade:
- Longitudinal design is stronger than cross-sectional, but snowball sampling, pandemic context, and predominantly female sample limit generalizability.
- Study Age:
- 2024 study with baseline collected during COVID-19 (May-June 2020)
- Original Title:
- Clinical and lifestyle predictors of loneliness: A two-year longitudinal study.
- Published In:
- Journal of psychiatric research, 180, 482-488 (2024)
- Authors:
- Antonelli-Salgado, Thyago, Montezano, Bruno Braga, Roza, Thiago Henrique, Bouvier, Vitória, Zimerman, Aline, Noronha, Lucas Tavares, Marcon, Grasiela, Hoffmann, Maurício Scopel, Brunoni, André Russowsky, Passos, Ives Cavalcante
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05085
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Was cannabis the biggest risk factor for loneliness?
Among the clinical and lifestyle factors measured, cannabis had the highest risk ratio (1.75), exceeding alcohol abuse (1.58), depression (1.21), and anxiety (1.19).
What protected against loneliness?
Physical activity over 150 minutes per week (RR 0.177), good sleep quality (RR 0.483), and good family relationships (RR 0.73) were all significantly protective.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05085APA
Antonelli-Salgado, Thyago; Montezano, Bruno Braga; Roza, Thiago Henrique; Bouvier, Vitória; Zimerman, Aline; Noronha, Lucas Tavares; Marcon, Grasiela; Hoffmann, Maurício Scopel; Brunoni, André Russowsky; Passos, Ives Cavalcante. (2024). Clinical and lifestyle predictors of loneliness: A two-year longitudinal study.. Journal of psychiatric research, 180, 482-488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.11.025
MLA
Antonelli-Salgado, Thyago, et al. "Clinical and lifestyle predictors of loneliness: A two-year longitudinal study.." Journal of psychiatric research, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.11.025
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Clinical and lifestyle predictors of loneliness: A two-year ..." RTHC-05085. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/antonelli-salgado-2024-clinical-and-lifestyle-predictors
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.