Depressed teenagers turn to cannabis: Youngsters suffering from the mental illness are 50% more likely to be users by the time they are 18, study shows

• The link was found with chronically or severely depressed 12 to 15 years olds
• Past research suggests that use of marijuana raises risk of depression
• But this study from Seattle suggests it could be the other way round for many
• Preventing depression during early adolescence may reduce cannabis abuse

By Claudia Tanner

Depressed youngsters in their early teens have a 50 percent increased risk of becoming cannabis abusers by the time they reach 18.

Researchers discovered the strong link among 12 to 15 years olds who suffered chronic or severe forms of the mental health illness.

Past research suggests that marijuana use raises the risk of depression – but experts say it's often the other way round.

The findings come as alarming research revealed using marijuana every day dramatically increases the risk of psychosis – suggesting that a vicious cycle can play out for addicted teens with mental health problems.

'The findings suggest that if we can prevent or reduce chronic depression during early adolescence, we may reduce the prevalence of cannabis use disorder,' said lead author Isaac Rhew from the University of Washington School of Medicine. 

How the research was carried out 

The study led by University of Washington School of Medicine researchers interviewed 521 students recruited from four Seattle public middle schools.

They used data from annual assessments when students were aged 12 to 15 and then again when they were 18. 

According to the research, published in the journal Addiction, cannabis has surpassed tobacco use in adolescents in the US during the past decade.

Cannabis and depression: chicken or egg?

Research often focuses on marijuana use causing depression rather than vice versa. 

However, it doesn't appear that marijuana directly causes depression, according to Dr Daniel K Hall-Flavin.

'It's likely that the genetic, environmental or other factors that trigger depression also lead to marijuana use,' he wrote for Mayo Clinic.

'Some people with depression may use marijuana as a way to detach from their depressive symptoms. 

'Heavy users may appear depressed as a result of the dulling effects of the drug on feelings and emotions. 

The Seattle team said it would be informative to carry out a similar study in a state with more strict marijuana laws than Seattle, where pot was legalized in 2012.

This could help us understand whether the link between depression and cannabis misuse would be found in areas where marijuana may be less accessible. 

DAILY MARIJUANA USE RAISES PYSCHOSIS RISK BY 159%

Going from being an occasional marijuana user to indulging every day increases the risk of psychosis by up to 159 percent, recent research reveals.

Marijuana is thought to cause psychosis-like experiences by increasing a user's risk of depression, a study found. The two mental health conditions have previously been linked.

Frequently abusing the substance also significantly reduces a user's ability to resist socially unacceptable behavior when provoked, the research adds. 

Study author Josiane Bourque from the University of Montreal, said: 'Our findings confirm that becoming a more regular marijuana user during adolescence is, indeed, associated with a risk of psychotic symptoms.

'[Psychosis symptoms] may be infrequent and thus not problematic for the adolescent, when these experiences are reported continuously, year after year, then there's an increased risk of a first psychotic episode or another psychiatric condition.'