Marijuana can get you high, but overuse can have the opposite effect on your stress response.
Adults who use pot often wake up with higher levels of cortisol, known as the “stress hormone,” researchers say.
When you’re under stress, the body releases cortisol to regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and metabolism. But when it stays too high, it can increase the risk of anxiety, depression and heart disease.
A new study compared 39 regular cannabis users with 43 people who provided saliva samples and reported their stress levels.
Everyone experiences a natural increase in cortisol within the first 30 minutes after waking up.
Although the increase was similar in both groups, frequent users had higher levels when they opened their eyes, according to the results.
The findings do not prove cause and effect, but the authors say they suggest that chronic use may negatively affect stress response systems over time.
Long-term studies are needed to explore the relationship.
Source: Cannabis
Author affiliation: Oregon State University
