Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40858508›Full record

ArticleBMJ mental health2025

Are reasons for first using cannabis associated with subsequent cannabis consumption (standard THC units) and psychopathology?

Edoardo Spinazzola, Hannah Degen, Isabelle Austin-Zimmerman, Giulia Trotta, Edward Chesney, Zhikun Li, Luis Alameda, Bok Man Leung, Yifei Lang, Andrea Quattrone and 6 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ mental health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Edoardo SpinazzolaPsychosis Studies, King's College London, London, UK edoardo.spinazzola@kcl.ac.uk.ORCID 0000-0002-8070-0618
Hannah DegenPsychosis Studies, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.
Isabelle Austin-ZimmermanSocial, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.
Giulia TrottaSocial, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.
Edward ChesneySouth London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-2851-5252
Zhikun LiSocial, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.
Luis AlamedaPsychosis Studies, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.
Bok Man LeungPsychosis Studies, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.
Yifei LangPsychosis Studies, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.
Andrea QuattroneUniversity of Porto Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal.
Diego QuattroneSouth London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Erika CastrignanòKing's College London Department of Forensic and Analytical Science, London, UK.
Kim WolffKing's College London Department of Forensic and Analytical Science, London, UK.
Robin MurrayPsychosis Studies, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.
Tom P FreemanPsychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
Marta Di FortiSocial, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.

Funding

MCR Medical Research Council MR/T007818/1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundReasons for first using cannabis (RFUC) may influence later use patterns and mental health outcomes. However, limited research has explored self-medication versus social RFUCs in depth, and their associations with cannabis use patterns and psychopathology in the general population.

objectivesWe examined RFUCs and their associations with (1) reasons for continuing cannabis use, (2) weekly THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) unit consumption and (3) symptoms of paranoia, anxiety and depressive symptoms.

methodsWe analysed data from the Cannabis&Me (CAMe) population survey (March 2022-July 2024), including 2573 (75.9%) current and 816 (24.1%) past cannabis users aged 18 years or older.

findingsParticipants reported a mean weekly consumption of 206 THC units (SD=268). Initiating cannabis use for anxiety (β=36.22, p=3.3e-03), depression (β=40.37, p=1.74e-03) or because 'family members were using it' (β=87.43, p=1.22e-09) was associated with higher weekly THC units. RFUC to relieve physical discomfort (β=8.89, p=4.12e-07), pain (β=7.24, p=5.56e-06), anxiety (β=9.67, p=1.63e-16), depression (β=9.12, p=1.21e-13) and minor psychotic symptoms (β=16.46, p=1.2e-04) were linked to higher paranoia scores. Similar associations were observed for anxiety and depression. Conversely, starting for fun (β=-3.71, p=3.49e-05) or curiosity (β=-2.61, p=5e-03) was associated with lower paranoia and anxiety. RFUC for 'boredom' was linked to increased depression (β=1.09, p=3.8e-03).

conclusionsInitiating cannabis use for self-medication is associated with higher average THC consumption, and increased anxiety, depression and paranoia. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Asking individuals why they first used cannabis may serve as a cost-effective screening tool to identify those who could benefit from monitoring, support, or referral to intervention services.

Indexed as

AnxietyDepressionDronabinolMarijuana SmokingMarijuana UseSelf MedicationAdolescentAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedParanoid DisordersYoung AdultDronabinolAdult psychiatryCross-Sectional StudiesMarijuana AbuseSubstance misuseSubstance-Related Disorders

Identifiers

PMID40858508
PMCPMC12382515

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.