# Exploring the Link Between Adolescent Cannabis Use and Anxiety > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-and-anxiety-research/ > **Published:** 2020-10-06T14:04:14-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:17:23-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore research on adolescent cannabis use and anxiety, highlighting correlations and the need for further study on mental health impacts. --- **The persistence of the association between adolescent [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) and common mental disorders into young adulthood** In Summary Further examination of [chronic cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-tolerance-behavioral-models/) in adolescents correlates with a higher prevalence of anxiety. Research discussing [adolescent cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) and mental disorders has been inconsistent, mainly debating whether or not some mental disorders are caused by [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/). The featured article found no evidence of causation but did notice a positive correlation between chronic (described here as daily) adolescent cannabis use and the development of anxiety. The development of major depressive disorders was not positively correlated with cannabis use, even in regular users. Causation, especially for psychosis, should continue to be looked into in order to determine the full safety profile of cannabis-based medications. Adolescent cannabis use does seem risky when considering that cannabis directly affects the brain while the brain is still developing and very few researchers have published well recognized and accepted data discussing the effect of cannabis on neural development. It seems interesting that [chronic cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-tolerance-behavioral-models/) is positively correlated to the development of anxiety when the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid and multiple terpenes are praised for their anxiolytic effects. Research into the effect of each chemical component of cannabis should be researched to fully elucidate which cannabinoid or combinations of cannabinoids, terpenes, etc., cause alternations in neurodevelopment and other effects. The study is available for review or download here: [DOWNLOAD AND REVIEW HERE](https://www.cedfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-persistence-of-the-association-between-adolescent-cannabis-use-and-common-mental-disorders-into-young-adulthood.pdf) View more studies like this in the CED Foundation Archive: [http://bit.ly/drcaplan](http://bit.ly/drcaplan) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. 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[Read the Study](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) [Teen Marijuana Use Doubles Chances of Future Psychotic Disorders, Study Finds](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-psychotic-risk-study/) Explore research linking [teen marijuana use](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-neurodevelopmental-risk-teens/) with a doubled risk of developing psychotic disorders later in life. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-psychotic-risk-study/) [Relationships Between Cannabis Use and Mental Disorders: Evidence Assessment](https://cedclinic.com/relationships-cannabis-mental-disorders-evidence-coherence/) A comprehensive review assessing the coherence of evidence from various studies on cannabis use and [mental health disorders](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-receptor-type-2-schizophrenia/). [Explore Review](https://cedclinic.com/relationships-cannabis-mental-disorders-evidence-coherence/) Have thoughts on this? 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