How Cannabis Makes You Feel Predicts Whether You Will Develop Problems With It
People who experienced stronger subjective effects from cannabis were more likely to develop heavy use, abuse, and dependence, even after accounting for genetic and environmental risk factors.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Using data from 464 cannabis-using offspring of twins from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry, researchers identified four classes of subjective response to cannabis: high responders (39%), positive responders (28%), mixed/relaxed (22%), and low responders (11%).
Compared to low responders, all other groups used more heavily (odds ratios 3.0 to 11.8). High responders were significantly more likely to develop cannabis abuse and dependence compared to mixed/relaxed and positive responders.
Critically, these associations persisted after adjusting for familial (genetic and shared environmental) risk for substance use disorders, psychopathology, and demographics. This means the way cannabis affects you subjectively predicts your risk above and beyond your genetic vulnerability.
Key Numbers
464 cannabis users analyzed. Four response classes: high (39%), positive (28%), mixed/relaxed (22%), low (11%). Heavy use ORs vs low responders: 3.0-11.8. High responders had greatest abuse/dependence risk.
How They Did This
Offspring-of-twins design using 725 twin members of the Vietnam Era Twin Registry, 839 biological offspring (ages 12-32), and 427 mothers. Latent class analysis identified four groups based on 13 subjective cannabis effects. Logistic regression tested associations with use severity, controlling for familial risk.
Why This Research Matters
Identifying individual risk factors for cannabis dependence beyond genetics is important for prevention. If how you respond to cannabis the first few times predicts later problems, this could be a useful screening tool.
The Bigger Picture
Similar findings exist for alcohol: people who experience stronger effects from early drinking are more likely to develop alcohol problems. This study extended that principle to cannabis, suggesting a common vulnerability marker across substances.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective recall of subjective effects may be influenced by later use patterns. The twin-offspring design controls for many confounds but cannot fully establish causation. The classification of "high responders" may partly reflect heavier use rather than purely predicting it.
Questions This Raises
- ?Could subjective response screening identify at-risk individuals before problems develop?
- ?Is the subjective response pattern heritable separately from addiction vulnerability?
- ?Do subjective effects change with tolerance?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- High responders were 3-12x more likely to become heavy users, independent of genetic risk
- Evidence Grade:
- Twin-offspring design with strong genetic controls. Retrospective subjective recall is a limitation. Moderate sample size.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2009. The relationship between subjective drug response and addiction risk has continued to be validated across substances.
- Original Title:
- Subjective effects to cannabis are associated with use, abuse and dependence after adjusting for genetic and environmental influences.
- Published In:
- Drug and alcohol dependence, 105(1-2), 76-82 (2009)
- Authors:
- Scherrer, Jeffrey F(2), Grant, Julia D(4), Duncan, Alexis E, Sartor, Carolyn E, Haber, Jon R, Jacob, Theodore, Bucholz, Kathleen K
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00389
Evidence Hierarchy
Follows a group of people over time to track how outcomes develop.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a "high responder"?
High responders experienced more intense effects across multiple dimensions (both positive and negative) when using cannabis. This group made up 39% of the sample and had the highest rates of developing problematic use.
If I feel strong effects from cannabis, am I at risk?
This study found a statistical association between stronger subjective effects and higher rates of heavy use and dependence. It does not mean everyone who responds strongly will develop problems, but it suggests higher risk compared to people with milder reactions.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00389APA
Scherrer, Jeffrey F; Grant, Julia D; Duncan, Alexis E; Sartor, Carolyn E; Haber, Jon R; Jacob, Theodore; Bucholz, Kathleen K. (2009). Subjective effects to cannabis are associated with use, abuse and dependence after adjusting for genetic and environmental influences.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 105(1-2), 76-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.06.014
MLA
Scherrer, Jeffrey F, et al. "Subjective effects to cannabis are associated with use, abuse and dependence after adjusting for genetic and environmental influences.." Drug and alcohol dependence, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.06.014
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Subjective effects to cannabis are associated with use, abus..." RTHC-00389. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/scherrer-2009-subjective-effects-to-cannabis
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.