Mood and anxiety disorder patients reported both benefits and worsening from cannabis, rarely consulting doctors

What the researchers found

Cannabis use was initiated from curiosity, peer pressure, or treatment dissatisfaction. Continuation was driven by psychotropic effects and symptom coping (mood, insomnia). Over time, users acknowledged negative effects including cognitive dysfunction, worsening mood, and increased anxiety. Concerning patterns included initiation before age 18, mixed medical/recreational use, and rare medical consultation.

Why it matters

The disconnect between perceived and actual effects is clinically important. Patients reported continuing cannabis for symptom relief even as they recognized it was making things worse, highlighting the complexity of self-medication in mental health populations.

The numbers in context

36 patients interviewed. All had mood or anxiety disorder diagnoses. Many initiated use before age 18. Mixed medical and recreational use common. Medical professional consultation was rare.

How the study worked

Qualitative study with 36 adults diagnosed with mood or anxiety disorders (including OCD and PTSD) who currently use cannabis. In-depth interviews explored motivations, perceptions, effects, and patterns of cannabis use. Thematic analysis applied.

What this study cannot tell us

Small qualitative sample from a single setting. Self-selected cannabis-using patients may not represent non-users with the same diagnoses. Canadian context with legal access may differ from other jurisdictions. Qualitative design captures experiences but not prevalence.

How to read the evidence

Qualitative study providing rich experiential data. Evidence grading does not apply, but the consistent themes across 36 participants add credibility.

When this study was published

Published in 2024 in Pharmacopsychiatry.

The bigger picture

With cannabis legalization increasing access, mental health patients are self-treating at growing rates. The finding that patients recognize harm but continue using underscores the need for proactive clinician engagement rather than waiting for patients to raise the topic.

Questions still open

• What specific cannabis products or dosing patterns are associated with worsening versus improvement? Would structured clinician conversations change patients cannabis use patterns? Could specific cannabis products (e.g., CBD-dominant) avoid the mood-worsening effects patients reported?

Common questions

Read the original research

Perceptions, Experiences, and Patterns of Cannabis Use in Individuals with Mood and Anxiety Disorders in the Context of Cannabis Legalization and Medical Cannabis Program in Canada - A Qualitative Study.

Pharmacopsychiatry, 57(3), 141-151

Citation

Das, Ankita; Hendershot, Christian S; Husain, M Ishrat; Knyahnytska, Yuliya; Elsaid, Sonja; Le Foll, Bernard; Kloiber, Stefan. (2024). Perceptions, Experiences, and Patterns of Cannabis Use in Individuals with Mood and Anxiety Disorders in the Context of Cannabis Legalization and Medical Cannabis Program in Canada - A Qualitative Study.. Pharmacopsychiatry, 57(3), 141-151. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2264-1047

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