Nisha Pandey

Think Marijuana Helps Relax? New Study Links Cannabis With Higher Levels Of Stress Hormone

People who use <span>cannabis</span> frequently believing it relieves stress are about to be proven wrong. A new study debunked the myth that <span>marijuana</span> helps alleviate stress levels. 

In fact, researchers recently found that frequent cannabis users may face the risk of higher levels of <span>cortisol</span>, body's stress hormone. 

While the study does not prove that marijuana causes chronic stress, they raise important questions about how regular cannabis use affects long-term mental and physical health.

The study, conducted by researchers at Oregon State University and published in the journal <em>Cannabis</em>, examined 82 young adults, including 39 frequent cannabis users and 43 non-users. 

Participants provided saliva samples immediately after waking and again 30 minutes later, allowing researchers to measure the cortisol awakening response (CAR), a natural surge in <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/the-silent-impact-of-stress-on-your-brain-how-chronic-stress-affects-memory-focus-and-mental-health-article-155148606" data-type="tilCustomLink">cortisol</a> that prepares the body for the day. 

The researchers found that frequent cannabis users had higher cortisol levels immediately upon waking compared to non-users. However, both groups showed a similar cortisol increase during the first 30 minutes after waking. 

This suggests that cannabis users started the day with an already elevated stress hormone level rather than having an exaggerated morning cortisol surge. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/10-odd-signs-of-stress-that-you-thought-you-knew-but-dont-article-151126191" data-type="tilCustomLink">10 Odd Signs Of Stress That You Thought You Knew But Don't</a>

<h2>Cortisol Isn't Just The 'Stress Hormone'</h2>

Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, plays several essential roles in the body. It helps regulate: 

<ul><li><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/scientists-say-changes-in-brain-in-your-40s-50s-may-influence-dementia-risk-article-155181642" data-type="tilCustomLink">Blood pressure</a></li><li>Blood sugar</li><li>Metabolism</li><li>Immune function</li><li>Body's response to physical and emotional stress</li></ul>

A temporary rise in cortisol is normal and even beneficial. But, chronically elevated cortisol has been linked to anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and impaired immune function.

<h2>Why People Use Cannabis For Stress? </h2>

Smoking vs Your Lungs: Who Wins? #nosmokingday #smoking #cigarette

Many users experience short-term relaxation after consuming <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/what-is-the-difference-between-cbd-and-thc-article-151109584" data-type="tilCustomLink">marijuana</a>, particularly due to <span>THC</span>'s effects on the brain's cannabinoid receptors. 

However, researchers say repeated exposure may gradually alter the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body's central stress-response network. 

Over time, this could interfere with normal stress regulation, potentially creating a cycle where people increasingly rely on cannabis to cope with stress while their biological stress system becomes dysregulated. 

However, researchers clarify that the study does not establish that frequent marijuana use directly causes increase in cortisol.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/could-wildfire-smoke-trigger-your-migraine-latest-study-finds-a-strong-link-article-155181650" data-type="tilCustomLink">Could Wildfire Smoke Trigger Your Migraine? Latest Study Finds A Strong Link</a> 

The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that heavy cannabis consumption may have complex effects on mental health. Recent research has linked it with: 

<ul><li>Increased risk of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/could-low-self-esteem-fuel-social-anxiety-among-medical-students-new-study-finds-link-article-155156240" data-type="tilCustomLink">anxiety</a> and depressive symptoms</li><li>Higher likelihood of cannabis use disorder</li><li>Greater risk of psychosis in susceptible individuals</li><li>Cognitive problems, including impaired memory with long-term heavy use</li><li>Experts note that these risks appear to increase with more frequent use, higher THC potency, and younger age at first use.</li></ul>

Many people use marijuana to unwind after a stressful day, but this study suggests that frequent cannabis use may be associated with higher baseline stress hormone levels upon waking. This could affect one's day-to-day quality of life. 

As cannabis use continues to rise worldwide, researchers say understanding its long-term effects on mental health and the body's stress response will be increasingly important, especially to bust common myths associated to its use. 

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People who use cannabis frequently believing it relieves stress are about to be proven wrong. A new study debunked the myth that marijuana helps alleviate stress levels. In fact, researchers recently found that frequent cannabis users may face the risk of higher levels of cortisol, body's stress hormone. While the study does not prove that marijuana causes chronic stress, they raise important questions about how regular cannabis use affects long-term mental and physical health. What Did The Study Find? The study, conducted by researchers at Oregon State University and published in the journal Cannabis, examined 82 young adults, including 39 frequent cannabis users and 43 non-users. Participants provided saliva samples immediately after waking and again 30 minutes later, allowing researchers to measure the cortisol awakening response (CAR), a natural surge in cortisol that prepares the body for the day. The researchers found that frequent cannabis users had higher cortisol levels immediately upon waking compared to non-users. However, both groups showed a similar cortisol increase during the first 30 minutes after waking. This suggests that cannabis users started the day with an already elevated stress hormone level rather than having an exaggerated morning cortisol surge. Also read: 10 Odd Signs Of Stress That You Thought You Knew But Don'tCortisol Isn't Just The 'Stress Hormone'Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, plays several essential roles in the body. It helps regulate: Blood pressureBlood sugarMetabolismImmune functionBody's response to physical and emotional stressA temporary rise in cortisol is normal and even beneficial. But, chronically elevated cortisol has been linked to anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and impaired immune function. Why People Use Cannabis For Stress?       Many users experience short-term relaxation after consuming marijuana, particularly due to THC's effects on the brain's cannabinoid receptors. However, researchers say repeated exposure may gradually alter the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body's central stress-response network. Over time, this could interfere with normal stress regulation, potentially creating a cycle where people increasingly rely on cannabis to cope with stress while their biological stress system becomes dysregulated. However, researchers clarify that the study does not establish that frequent marijuana use directly causes increase in cortisol.Also read: Could Wildfire Smoke Trigger Your Migraine? Latest Study Finds A Strong Link The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that heavy cannabis consumption may have complex effects on mental health. Recent research has linked it with: Increased risk of anxiety and depressive symptomsHigher likelihood of cannabis use disorderGreater risk of psychosis in susceptible individualsCognitive problems, including impaired memory with long-term heavy useExperts note that these risks appear to increase with more frequent use, higher THC potency, and younger age at first use.Many people use marijuana to unwind after a stressful day, but this study suggests that frequent cannabis use may be associated with higher baseline stress hormone levels upon waking. This could affect one's day-to-day quality of life. As cannabis use continues to rise worldwide, researchers say understanding its long-term effects on mental health and the body's stress response will be increasingly important, especially to bust common myths associated to its use. 

think marijuana helps relax? new study links cannabis with higher levels of stress hormone

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