Cannabis and Mood Disorders in Teens Are Closely Intertwined and Mutually Reinforcing
A review found adolescents with mood disorders are more likely to use cannabis and develop cannabis use disorder, with each condition potentially worsening the other during a critical developmental period.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Adolescents with mood disorders have higher rates of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder. Cannabis use during adolescence can worsen mood disorder outcomes, while mood disorders increase vulnerability to problematic cannabis use. The review covers assessment and treatment considerations for this comorbid population.
Key Numbers
Cannabis: most commonly used illicit substance among adolescents. Adolescents with mood disorders: higher rates of cannabis use and CUD. Bidirectional relationship: each condition worsens the other.
How They Did This
Narrative review exploring the assessment, prevalence, and management of comorbid cannabis use and mood disorders among adolescents.
Why This Research Matters
Adolescence is a period of active brain development when both mood disorders and cannabis use commonly emerge. Understanding their interaction is critical for clinicians treating either condition in this age group.
The Bigger Picture
The bidirectional relationship between cannabis use and mood disorders in adolescents creates a potentially self-reinforcing cycle that requires integrated treatment approaches addressing both conditions simultaneously.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Narrative review without systematic methodology. Predominantly observational evidence base. Cannot establish definitive causation in the bidirectional relationship. Treatment recommendations limited by available trial data in adolescents.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do integrated treatment programs for comorbid cannabis use and mood disorders improve outcomes?
- ?Does treating the mood disorder reduce cannabis use, or vice versa?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Comprehensive narrative review integrating clinical and research literature, but non-systematic methodology limits to moderate.
- Study Age:
- Contemporary review of adolescent comorbidity literature.
- Original Title:
- Comorbid Cannabis Use and Mood Disorders Among Adolescents.
- Published In:
- Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 23(2), 133-140 (2025)
- Authors:
- Strong, Stephane J, Thomas, Halle A, Adams, Zachary W(2), Hulvershorn, Leslie A
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07736
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis cause depression in teenagers?
The relationship appears bidirectional: cannabis use can worsen mood disorders, and having a mood disorder increases the risk of problematic cannabis use. Neither clearly 'causes' the other in isolation.
Should teens with depression avoid cannabis?
This review suggests that cannabis use in adolescents with mood disorders is associated with worse outcomes for both conditions. Integrated treatment addressing both issues is recommended.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07736APA
Strong, Stephane J; Thomas, Halle A; Adams, Zachary W; Hulvershorn, Leslie A. (2025). Comorbid Cannabis Use and Mood Disorders Among Adolescents.. Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 23(2), 133-140. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20240049
MLA
Strong, Stephane J, et al. "Comorbid Cannabis Use and Mood Disorders Among Adolescents.." Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 2025. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20240049
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Comorbid Cannabis Use and Mood Disorders Among Adolescents." RTHC-07736. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/strong-2025-comorbid-cannabis-use-and
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.