A new study finds that those who use tobacco and cannabis are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.
People who use both tobacco and cannabis face significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to those who use only one of these substances, or neither of them, according to a large new study published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Researchers analyzed mental health data from more than 53,000 U.S. adults collected between 2020 and 2022 through the COVID-19 Citizen Science Study. They found that more than one in four users of both substances reported symptoms of anxiety (26.5%) and depression (28.3%), nearly twice the rates observed in non-users. On the other hand, people who used only tobacco or only cannabis faced lower, but still significant, mental health challenges.
While the study does not confirm a cause-and-effect relationship, the results highlight a strong correlation between the co-use of these substances and worsening mental health. With the rise in cannabis use, alongside the steady consumption of tobacco, the authors highlight the need to integrate mental health support into public health efforts aimed at substance use cessation.
As joint use becomes increasingly common, especially in regions where cannabis is legal, this research offers a critical look at the psychological risks involved and the importance of a more comprehensive approach to addiction treatment and mental health care.
