Yasemin brings up a common sentiment among regular smokers: Marijuana users report using the drug to self-medicate for issues like physical pain, anxiety, or depression. Some, like Yasemin, note that smoking weed makes them feel more giggly or creative, less anxious, or more comfortable in social situations. Interestingly however, some research seems to indicate otherwise. One 2018 study suggested that while smoking weed can make someone less anxious in the short term, the drug’s long term impact could exacerbate symptoms of anxiety. And with some reports indicating that the potency of THC in marijuana becoming stronger each year, as cited in a 2018 study in the Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association, it’s imperative that young people do not learn to treat mental disorders with marijuana.
“I believe there is a tendency for young people to use marijuana for mental health and physical symptoms because of the reduced negative opinion on marijuana use nowadays,” Shaudi Adel, a licensed clinical social worker in San Diego tells Teen Vogue. “Based on my previous work, the most common mental health concerns marijuana is reportedly used for are anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The issue, however, is that for many individuals, marijuana can lead to heightened anxiety, paranoia, and other physiological symptoms that mimic panic symptoms, including…
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