Study suggests even casual cannabis use is associated with depression in older adults
New research indicates that roughly 5 percent of adults over 50 experience major depression. The study also links casual cannabis use to higher odds of depression, highlighting a growing need for proactive mental health screening.
A new study indicates that even occasional cannabis use among middle-aged and older adults in the United States may be linked to depression. Published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, the research, led by psychiatrist Kevin Yang, analyzed data from the 2022 and 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, focusing on a nationally representative sample of 20,580 adults aged 50 and older.
The study revealed that 4.6 percent of this population experienced a major depressive episode in the past year. While females had more than twice the risk compared to males, marital status and substance use, particularly cannabis use, were significant factors. Yang noted that cannabis use disorder increased the odds of depression by four and a half times, and even casual cannabis use was associated with a 50 percent higher risk.
The study also found that adults aged 65 and older had lower depression rates than those aged 50 to 64, and those with higher incomes or advanced degrees were more likely to experience depression. Despite these findings, only about 66.2 percent of individuals with a major depressive episode received any form of mental health treatment, with prescription medication being the most common intervention.
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