Frequent Cannabis Use May Disrupt Daily Stress Rhythms

According to a recent study conducted by Oregon State University, frequent cannabis users may begin their day with higher levels of cortisol, a hormone often referred to as the ‘stress hormone,’ than those who do not use it. The researchers found that individuals who use cannabis regularly had elevated cortisol levels upon waking, even before engaging in any stressful activities.

Stress is one of the primary reasons people report using cannabis, and it is also linked to problematic patterns of use. Although cannabis may provide temporary relief from stress, the researchers suggest that frequent use over time could potentially interfere with the biological systems that regulate the stress response.

The study, led by Anita Cservenka of the OSU College of Liberal Arts, is among the relatively few investigations into how frequent cannabis use relates to the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, the major neuroendocrine system responsible for coordinating the body’s response to stress.

Cannabis use has become increasingly common among young adults in the United States. Twenty-nine percent of adults aged 19 to 30 report using cannabis during the previous 30 days, a rate that has nearly doubled over the past 15 years. More than 10% of people in that age group report using cannabis at least 20 times within a 30-day period.

The researchers caution that their findings do not establish that frequent cannabis use causes higher cortisol levels upon waking. They also do not show that elevated morning cortisol causes people to use cannabis more frequently. However, the study does provide an important starting point for further investigation into the relationship between cannabis use and the body’s stress response.

Cortisol is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that plays a crucial role in the body’s response to stress. It helps the body fight infection, maintain blood pressure, and regulate blood sugar and metabolism. In the short term, cortisol helps the body cope with stressful situations. However, cortisol levels that remain elevated for long periods can have negative health effects and have been associated with greater risks of anxiety, depression, and heart disease.

The researchers focused on what is commonly known as CAR, or the cortisol awakening response. CAR is the cortisol rise that all people experience in the morning, peaking around 30 minutes after they wake up. Researchers calculate CAR by measuring cortisol immediately after a person wakes and then measuring it again 30 minutes later. The first measurement is subtracted from the second. The resulting difference is considered an indicator of how the body prepares itself to handle the demands and stressors of the coming day.

The researchers found that the size of this morning cortisol increase was similar in cannabis users and non-users. The important difference appeared at the starting point. People who frequently used cannabis already had more cortisol circulating in their bodies when they woke up. This suggests that cortisol levels upon awakening may serve as a neurobiological marker of problematic cannabis use.

The study’s findings highlight the potential risks associated with frequent cannabis use. While cannabis may provide temporary relief from stress, it may also contribute to changes in the body’s normal daily stress rhythm. These changes could potentially contribute to a feedback cycle in which a poorly regulated stress system encourages further cannabis use.

Further research is needed to understand the relationship between cannabis use and the body’s stress response. The study’s findings provide an important starting point for further investigation into this complex issue.