Among 1,406 recreational cannabis users in Quebec, 28% met criteria for problematic social media use — higher than general population estimates — with TikTok and Twitter use, fear of missing out, and cannabis risk all contributing.
Cannabis users who feel their social media use is problematic, mental health professionals, digital wellness advocates, and behavioral addiction researchers.
What the researchers found
27.9% of cannabis-using participants exhibited problematic social media use (PSMU). Increased PSMU odds were associated with younger age (18-20), male sex, higher cannabis use disorder risk (CAST scores), depression (PHQ-8), and fear of missing out. Use of Telegram, TikTok, Twitter/X, and Facebook Dating increased PSMU risk, while Snapchat and Threads were associated with reduced risk.
Why it matters
Cannabis use and problematic social media use may share underlying vulnerabilities — impulsivity, anxiety, and difficulty regulating behavior. Understanding this overlap could help identify people at risk for compounding behavioral problems.
The numbers in context
1,406 participants. 27.9% met PSMU criteria. Risk factors: age 18-20, male, higher CAST/PHQ-8/On-FoMO scores. Platforms increasing risk: Telegram, TikTok, Twitter/X, Facebook Dating. Platforms decreasing risk: Snapchat, Threads.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional study of 1,406 Quebec adults who used both social media and cannabis. Validated instruments measured PSMU (BSMAS), online fear of missing out, cannabis use disorder risk (CAST), anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-8), and demographics. Regression model identified associated factors.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional — cannot determine if cannabis use drives PSMU or vice versa. Quebec cannabis users may not represent other populations. Self-reported social media use. PSMU thresholds may over-identify problems. Platform associations may change as platforms evolve.
How to read the evidence
Large sample with validated instruments, but cross-sectional design and cannabis-event recruitment limit causal inference.
When this study was published
Published in 2026, examining the intersection of two rapidly growing behavioral concerns.
The bigger picture
The finding that specific platforms carry different risks is novel — TikTok and Twitter may promote more compulsive engagement patterns than Snapchat. Combined with the cannabis risk association, this suggests some individuals may be broadly vulnerable to reward-seeking behaviors across multiple domains.
Questions still open
- Do cannabis and social media activate similar reward pathways? Would reducing one compulsive behavior help with the other? Why are some platforms more problematic than others?
Common questions
Are cannabis users more likely to have social media problems?
Which social media platforms are most problematic?
Read the original research
Problematic social media use among recreational cannabis users in Québec: A Cross-Sectional study.
Addictive behaviors reports, 23, 100662
Citation
Deli-Houssein, Roni; Hudon, Catherine; Dufour, Isabelle; Carrier, Nathalie; Gómez, Natalia Muñoz; Deschamps, Amélie; Auger, Anne-Marie; Brodeur, Magaly. (2026). Problematic social media use among recreational cannabis users in Québec: A Cross-Sectional study.. Addictive behaviors reports, 23, 100662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2025.100662