A recent study published in PLOS ONE sheds light on the concerning prevalence of anxiety and depression among individuals who use both tobacco and cannabis. The research, conducted by Nhung Nguyen and colleagues from the University of California, San Francisco, USA, analyzed data from over 53,000 participants in the COVID-19 Citizen Science Study conducted between 2020 and 2022.
The study’s key findings are stark: approximately one-quarter of those who used both tobacco and cannabis reported experiencing anxiety or depression. This rate is nearly double that of non-users. Moreover, individuals who engage in the combined use of tobacco and cannabis are more likely to report these mental health issues compared to those who use only one of these substances or none at all.
Among the co-use group, a staggering 26.5% reported anxiety, while 28.3% reported depression. In contrast, among those who abstained from both tobacco and cannabis, only 10.6% reported anxiety, and 11.2% reported depression. These statistics reveal that co-users face a mental health risk approximately 1.8 times greater than non-users.
While the study does not establish a direct causal relationship, it underscores a clear association between the simultaneous use of tobacco and cannabis and deteriorating mental health. As a response to these findings, the researchers advocate for the integration of mental health support within tobacco and cannabis cessation programs. This proactive approach could potentially help mitigate the adverse connection between substance use and mental well-being.
In summary, this study serves as a warning about the elevated risks of anxiety and depression among individuals who use both tobacco and cannabis. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies that address not only the cessation of these substances but also the preservation of mental health. The findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach in tackling the challenges posed by the co-use of these substances.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Co-Occurrence of Tobacco and Cannabis
What were the key findings of the study on tobacco and cannabis co-use?
The study found that individuals who use both tobacco and cannabis face significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to those who use either substance alone or abstain from both. Specifically, approximately a quarter of co-users reported experiencing anxiety or depression, which is nearly double the rate among non-users. Among co-users, 26.5% reported anxiety, and 28.3% reported depression, while non-users had significantly lower percentages, with 10.6% reporting anxiety and 11.2% reporting depression.
Does this study establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between co-use of tobacco and cannabis and mental health issues?
No, the study does not claim a direct cause-and-effect relationship. However, it does highlight a strong association between the co-use of tobacco and cannabis and deteriorated mental health. While causation is not proven, the findings emphasize the need for further investigation into this connection.
What is the significance of these findings for public health?
These findings are significant for public health as they raise awareness about the potential mental health risks associated with the co-use of tobacco and cannabis. It underscores the importance of addressing not only substance cessation but also mental health support within cessation programs. This holistic approach could help mitigate the adverse impact of substance use on mental well-being.
How was the study conducted, and who were the participants?
The study analyzed data from the COVID-19 Citizen Science Study, which included 53,843 US adults who participated in online surveys between 2020 and 2022. Participants were categorized based on their substance use patterns, including tobacco-only use, cannabis-only use, and co-use of both substances.
What are the recommendations made by the researchers based on these findings?
The researchers recommend the integration of mental health resources into tobacco and cannabis cessation initiatives. While the study doesn’t establish causation, it suggests that addressing mental health alongside substance cessation could potentially help reduce the negative impact of co-use on mental well-being.
More about Co-Occurrence of Tobacco and Cannabis
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PLOS ONE Study: Access the full research article titled “Associations between tobacco and cannabis use and anxiety and depression among adults in the United States: Findings from the COVID-19 citizen science study” by Nhung Nguyen and colleagues.
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University of California, San Francisco: Learn more about the institution where the research was conducted.
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COVID-19 Citizen Science Study: Explore information about the COVID-19 Citizen Science Study, which provided the data for this research.
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California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program: Find information about the program that supported one of the researchers, Nhung Nguyen, and her work.
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National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Learn about the institute that provided support to Nhung Nguyen through the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
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Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: Discover more about the foundation that provided funding for this research.
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Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute: Explore information about the institute that supported the COVID-19 Citizen Science Study.
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National Institutes of Health: Learn more about the NIH, which provided various grants for this research.
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NIH National Cancer Institute: Find information about the institute that provided grants related to this study.
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NIH National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering: Discover more about the institute that provided grants for this research.
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Eureka Research Platform: Access information about the research platform supported by NIH grants.
5 comments
Good that they suggest mental health support in cessation but more causation study needed also covid19citizenscience is an important source.
interesting study on tobacco and cannabis co-use the stats are shocking, need more research tho.
ucsf did this research, cool stuff, but no direct link found betwen co-use and mental health probs just an association.
Link to the full study plosone journal article in the references, gonna dive deep into this one!
got my attention, always thought bout this co-use thing, bill gates foundation funded part of it?