A study from Oregon State University suggests that frequent cannabis users may start their day with higher baseline cortisol levels than non-users.
Key facts
- •The study was conducted by researchers at Oregon State University and published in the journal Cannabis.
- •Twenty-nine percent of adults aged 19 to 30 report using cannabis within the previous 30 days.
- •The percentage of young adults using cannabis at least 20 times in a 30-day period has more than doubled over the last 15 years.
- •Researchers found that frequent cannabis users have higher cortisol levels at the moment of waking compared to non-users.
- •The study was funded by Oregon State University, the OSU Center for the Humanities, and the OSU College of Liberal Arts.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a potential link between frequent cannabis use and altered daily stress rhythms. The study, published in the journal Cannabis, found that individuals who use the substance frequently often exhibit higher levels of cortisol—the body's primary stress hormone—immediately upon waking compared to those who do not use cannabis.
Understanding the Cortisol Awakening Response
The research team, led by Anita Cservenka of the OSU College of Liberal Arts, focused on the cortisol awakening response (CAR). This biological process involves a rise in cortisol levels that typically peaks approximately 30 minutes after waking. Researchers measure this by comparing cortisol levels at the moment of waking to levels measured 30 minutes later. While the study found that the magnitude of the morning cortisol increase was similar between users and non-users, the baseline levels differed. Frequent cannabis users began the day with significantly more cortisol already circulating in their systems.
Implications for Stress Regulation
Cortisol is essential for regulating blood pressure, metabolism, and immune response. While it helps the body manage short-term pressure, prolonged elevation of the hormone is associated with increased risks of anxiety, depression, and heart disease. The researchers suggest that frequent cannabis use may interfere with the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, the neuroendocrine system that coordinates the body's stress response. Cservenka noted that these findings do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Further longitudinal research is required to determine if elevated morning cortisol leads to increased cannabis use or if frequent use causes the hormonal shift. The team suggests that these morning cortisol levels could potentially serve as a neurobiological marker for problematic cannabis consumption.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by ScienceDaily.
