Are Marijuana and Depression Linked?

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Jeremy Edwards
Jeremy EdwardsDNP, APRN, PMHNP-BCLead Clinician · Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Jeremy Edwards is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the behavioral health field.

Find Guidance and Dual Diagnosis Treatment Options for Depression and Cannabis Use

Marijuana use and depression are linked in research, but the relationship is complex. An association does not establish that cannabis caused a particular person’s depression. Age, frequency of use, other substances, and existing symptoms matter.

Icarus Wellness & Recovery offers care for people with mental health and substance use needs. Ask our team about assessment, current services, and whether a dual diagnosis program is appropriate for you.

Feeling temporary relief after using cannabis is not proof that it treats depression. Persistent low mood or problems controlling cannabis use deserve a professional assessment.

The Connection Between Cannabis and Mental Health Disorders

The CDC describes links between cannabis use and depression, social anxiety, and suicidal thoughts or behavior. It also notes an association with psychosis and schizophrenia, especially with earlier and more frequent use. Cannabis can cause anxiety or paranoia during intoxication (CDC, 2024a).

These findings do not mean every person who uses cannabis will develop a mental disorder. Shared risk factors and the reasons a person uses cannabis can also affect the relationship.

Depressive Symptoms to Watch Out For

NIMH’s depression guide describes symptoms that may include:

  • Ongoing low mood
  • Low energy
  • Loss of interest or enjoyment
  • Changes in sleep
  • Appetite or weight changes
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

A clinician considers the full pattern, duration, and impact of symptoms. Cannabis intoxication, withdrawal, other substances, and medical conditions can complicate assessment. Seek help if symptoms persist or interfere with daily life; a symptom list alone cannot diagnose major depression (NIMH, 2024).

Knowing the Symptoms of a Marijuana Use Disorder

Cannabis use disorder involves a pattern that causes significant problems. Warning signs can include:

  • Trying to cut down but being unable to do so
  • Giving up important activities to use cannabis
  • Continuing despite problems at home, work, or school
  • Needing more cannabis for the same effect or experiencing withdrawal

Frequency alone does not establish a diagnosis. Using cannabis to cope with emotions also does not, by itself, prove a disorder. Discuss the pattern and its consequences with a qualified professional (CDC, 2024b; Kroon et al., 2020).

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What Are the Public Health Concerns Over Cannabis Use?

The CDC’s guidance for teens describes concerns about attention, learning, memory, coordination, and mental health while the brain is still developing. Starting young and using frequently are also associated with greater cannabis use disorder risk (CDC, 2024b).

The size of an observed association depends on the outcome, study population, and pattern of use. One risk estimate should not be applied to every mental health condition or every teen.

The FDA has approved specific cannabinoid medicines for certain conditions, but cannabis is not an FDA-approved depression treatment. A product being sold for medical use does not establish that it safely or effectively treats depression (FDA, n.d.-a).

How Can Cannabis Change Brain Function?

Image of a person holding head thoughtfully, symbolizing changes in brain chemistry linked to cannabis use

THC acts on cannabinoid receptors involved in brain signaling. Effects can vary with dose, product composition, age, and frequency of use. This does not provide a simple test of why one person feels depressed.

A 2020 review by Urits and colleagues described stronger evidence concerning psychosis than depression or anxiety. The authors noted conflicting findings and a need for further research on those mood and anxiety relationships. Their review does not support treating all psychiatric outcomes as one risk estimate.

Are Marijuana and Depression Linked?

Marijuana and Depression Linked - Icarus Wellness

Research supports concern and assessment, while leaving important questions about cause and individual risk unresolved. Some people use cannabis in response to distress; cannabis-related problems may also complicate mental health care.

Our dual diagnosis services can assess both kinds of needs. Ask about the available treatment plan and how the clinicians will monitor symptoms and cannabis use.

Evidence-based treatments should match the condition being treated. Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, and antidepressants are options for depression. An antidepressant prescribed for depression should not be described as an approved first-line medication for cannabis use disorder (NIMH, 2024; Kroon et al., 2020).

Marijuana, Anxiety, and Depression: What Reviews Can Tell Us

A narrative review by Kroon and colleagues (2020) examined heavy cannabis use, dependence, and brain-related outcomes. It described associations with psychiatric conditions and learning or memory difficulties, while calling the evidence on long-term effects suggestive rather than conclusive.

A review is not proof that cannabis caused every symptom or that it lowers the response to all antidepressants. Tell your prescriber about cannabis and CBD use so they can assess your specific medicine and symptoms.

A Note About Suicidal Thoughts

The CDC reports an association between cannabis use and suicidal thoughts or behavior. That association does not establish the cause of an individual person’s thoughts. Take them seriously regardless of substance use.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, call 911 or go to an emergency department. For suicidal thoughts without immediate danger, seek urgent support from a healthcare professional or crisis service. An admissions call should not delay urgent care.

Cannabis Use and Bipolar Disorder

Sorkhou, Dent, and George’s 2024 systematic review included 78 studies of cannabis and mood disorders. Most were observational or nonrandomized. In bipolar disorder, cannabis use was associated with outcomes such as more severe mood symptoms, hospitalizations, and reduced medication adherence.

The studies varied in their methods and relied heavily on self-reported cannabis use. The review cannot predict an individual outcome or prove that cannabis caused every complication. Tell your clinician about manic symptoms, depression, and substance use when planning care.

Stress and Emotional Regulation: A Specific Survey

Cavalli and Cservenka (2021) studied 852 cannabis users in an online, cross-sectional survey. They examined relationships among stress, difficulty regulating emotions, and cannabis-related problems. The design could not establish which came first or show causation.

The survey did not establish that cannabis causes depression or additional addictions. Its findings should not be treated as predictions for every person who uses cannabis.

Cannabis, CBD, and Other Substances in Treatment

The FDA warns that CBD can change the effects of other medicines and can itself be affected by them. This is a reason to check specific products and drugs with a prescriber or pharmacist, not to assume that cannabis reduces every antidepressant’s effectiveness (FDA, n.d.-b).

Tell your treatment team about alcohol, cannabis, and other substances. NIMH (2025) recommends care that addresses co-occurring mental health and substance use needs; one diagnosis does not automatically explain the other.

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Find Support for Depression and Cannabis Use

If low mood or cannabis use is affecting your life, ask for an assessment. At Icarus Wellness & Recovery in Boise, our team can discuss current services, clinical fit, and next steps.

Our admissions representative can review your specific benefits and explain potential costs and authorization requirements. A benefits check does not guarantee coverage or admission.

Please reach out with questions about care. Seek emergency help for an immediate safety concern.

References

  1. Cavalli, J. M., & Cservenka, A. (2021). Emotion dysregulation moderates the association between stress and problematic cannabis use. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, Article 597789. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.597789
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024a, February 15). Cannabis and mental health.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024b, February 15). Cannabis and teens.
  4. Kroon, E., Kuhns, L., Hoch, E., & Cousijn, J. (2020). Heavy cannabis use, dependence and the brain: A clinical perspective. Addiction, 115(3), 559–572. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14776
  5. National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Depression (NIH Publication No. 24-MH-8079).
  6. National Institute of Mental Health. (2025, March). Finding help for co-occurring substance use and mental disorders.
  7. Sorkhou, M., Dent, E. L., & George, T. P. (2024). Cannabis use and mood disorders: A systematic review. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, Article 1346207. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1346207
  8. Urits, I., Gress, K., Charipova, K., Li, N., Berger, A. A., Cornett, E. M., Hasoon, J., Kassem, H., Kaye, A. D., & Viswanath, O. (2020). Cannabis use and its association with psychological disorders. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 50(2), 56–67. https://doi.org/10.64719/pb.4606
  9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.-a). FDA and cannabis: Research and drug approval process.
  10. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.-b). What you need to know (and what we’re working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD.

Written and Reviewed by

  • Jennifer Trimbee is and RN and writer for Icarus Wellness and Recovery
    Writer/Author:

    Jennifer Trimbee is a registered nurse and healthcare writer who enjoys exploring the intersection of wellness, mental health, and everyday life. She...
  • jeremy-edwards-lead-clinician-icarus-wellness-and-recovery
    Clinical Reviewer (LCSW/PMHNP):

    My name is Jeremy Edwards. I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the behavioral heal...

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