Effects of 3-week Abstinence from Cannabis on Depression and Anxiety
Mentor 1
Krista M. Lisdahl
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
5-4-2019 1:30 PM
End Date
5-4-2019 3:30 PM
Description
Research has shown that cannabis users experience greater symptoms of depression after one week of abstinence. The aim of this study is to investigate how abstinence from cannabis over a 3-week period affects depression and anxiety. 87 participants (49 controls and 38 cannabis users) aged 16-25 and balanced for gender (56% male) were included in the study. Controls had fewer than 5 joints and cannabis users had more than 52 joints in the past year. Participants were monitored for abstinence across a 3-week period. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used at baseline and after 3 weeks of abstinence to measure symptoms of depression and anxiety. Separate repeated measures ANCOVA were run to examine the interaction between time and group on depression and anxiety while covarying for gender. Cannabis users had higher levels of depression (p=.09) and anxiety at baseline compared to controls. After abstinence, cannabis users experienced a trend of increased depression symptoms but decreased anxiety symptoms. Consistent with the general literature, cannabis users had greater symptoms of anxiety and depression. Further, cannabis users demonstrated recovery in their anxiety symptoms. The increase in depression symptoms is likely reflecting symptoms of prolonged withdrawal from cannabis. Future studies may want to examine a longer period to capture recovery from this withdrawal.
Effects of 3-week Abstinence from Cannabis on Depression and Anxiety
Union Wisconsin Room
Research has shown that cannabis users experience greater symptoms of depression after one week of abstinence. The aim of this study is to investigate how abstinence from cannabis over a 3-week period affects depression and anxiety. 87 participants (49 controls and 38 cannabis users) aged 16-25 and balanced for gender (56% male) were included in the study. Controls had fewer than 5 joints and cannabis users had more than 52 joints in the past year. Participants were monitored for abstinence across a 3-week period. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used at baseline and after 3 weeks of abstinence to measure symptoms of depression and anxiety. Separate repeated measures ANCOVA were run to examine the interaction between time and group on depression and anxiety while covarying for gender. Cannabis users had higher levels of depression (p=.09) and anxiety at baseline compared to controls. After abstinence, cannabis users experienced a trend of increased depression symptoms but decreased anxiety symptoms. Consistent with the general literature, cannabis users had greater symptoms of anxiety and depression. Further, cannabis users demonstrated recovery in their anxiety symptoms. The increase in depression symptoms is likely reflecting symptoms of prolonged withdrawal from cannabis. Future studies may want to examine a longer period to capture recovery from this withdrawal.
