A recent study found that about one-third of people who went to the emergency room (ER) because of cannabis-related concerns developed a new anxiety disorder within three years, as reported by Fortune.
The study, published in The Lancet’s open-access journal, Clinical Medicine, is considered the most comprehensive research on the connection between using cannabis and developing anxiety.
The research took place in Canada and involved looking at the health records of over 12 million people from 2008 to 2019 who had never shown signs of anxiety.
The study found that those who went to the ER for cannabis use during that time were almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with a new anxiety disorder within three years. They were also nine times more likely to need medical attention for anxiety later on.
The study highlighted that young male cannabis users, specifically those aged between 10 to 24 years, were most at risk of developing anxiety.
In another study from April 2023, after Michigan legalized cannabis in 2018, researchers found that the psychological effects of the drug were leading to more visits to the ER. Over two years, almost 20% of ER visits at a state hospital resulted in a diagnosis of cannabis-induced anxiety.
Dr. Daniel Myran, a research chair at the University of Ottawa, warned that although cannabis use has increased in Canada, there’s a misconception that it’s harmless. He emphasized that in some individuals, heavy cannabis use may raise the risk of developing anxiety disorders.