1-866-548-8677

Se habla español

The Association Between Adolescent Cannabis Use and Anxiety

It’s essential to acknowledge that anxiety disorders are a significant challenge for many adolescents today. The growing prevalence of cannabis use among teens complicates the understanding and treatment of these conditions. Studies have shown a strong link between teenage cannabis use and the onset of anxiety disorders. But what does the research say, and how serious is this risk?

Key Findings

Adolescent cannabis use has been linked to an increased risk of anxiety disorders in young adulthood. Studies suggest that regular (especially daily) cannabis use during adolescence can lead to persistent anxiety symptoms. One notable study found that adolescents who used cannabis daily were significantly more likely to develop anxiety disorders by age 29 (Degenhardt et al., 2013).

Supporting Evidence

Research indicates that there is a two-way relationship between cannabis use and anxiety. Adolescents who start using cannabis more frequently may experience persistent anxiety over time. On the other hand, individuals with pre-existing anxiety may use cannabis as a way to cope, which could lead to increased cannabis use and worsening symptoms (Duperrouzel et al., 2018).

Additionally, research has shown that general anxiety symptoms can significantly predict the frequency of cannabis use in adolescents. This connection emphasizes the necessity for targeted anxiety management strategies to prevent cannabis use as a form of self-medication (Stapinski et al., 2016).

Bidirectional Influence

The relationship between cannabis use and anxiety is complex and often bidirectional:

  • Cannabis Leading to Anxiety: THC, the primary psychoactive component in cannabis, can induce anxiety and panic attacks in some individuals. Regular use during adolescence can disrupt normal brain development, leading to heightened anxiety.
  • Anxiety Leading to Cannabis Use: Adolescents with anxiety disorders may use cannabis to self-medicate, seeking temporary relief from their symptoms. This can create a dependence cycle, where the relief is short-lived, and the underlying anxiety worsens over time.

 

Mechanisms Behind the Link

  1. Neurobiological Changes: Regular cannabis use during adolescence can lead to changes in brain regions involved in stress and emotion regulation, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.
  2. Disruption of the Endocannabinoid System: THC interferes with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a critical role in regulating anxiety and stress responses.
  3. Neurotransmitter Imbalances: Cannabis use can affect levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, which are crucial for maintaining emotional stability and reducing anxiety.

The connection between cannabis use during adolescence and anxiety emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to prevention and intervention. Understanding how cannabis can worsen anxiety and implementing strategies to address this issue can help parents and caretakers, like us at Adolescent Wellness Academy, assist adolescents in making healthier choices and supporting their mental well-being.

Facebook Instagram Linkedin
BROWARD
MIAMI-DADE
About us
our programs
process
Success stories
resources
Contact Us
Contact Us

Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia – Clinical Director (Davie)

Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia’s therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, resilience-building, and collaboration. As the Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she is dedicated to supporting high-risk teens in navigating trauma, emotional distress, and life’s challenges with a holistic and trauma-informed lens. Dr. Mejia specializes in working with adolescents facing issues such as suicide risk, self-harm, anxiety, depression, and family conflict, utilizing techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and strength-based therapy. With extensive experience in community mental health, private practice, and clinical supervision, Dr. Mejia has a proven track record of empowering teens to overcome obstacles and thrive. She holds a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy bringing a depth of knowledge and compassion to her leadership role.

Kimberly Geller

Kimberly Geller - Primary Therapist (Davie)

Kimberly is a compassionate and dedicated therapist with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida International University. Kimberly creates a nurturing and secure environment where clients can freely explore their emotions and embark on their journey toward healing and growth. Kimberly specializes in client-centered approaches that helps tailor her therapeutic methods to meet unique needs and goals. By fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship, she empowers clients to develop effective coping skills and achieve meaningful progress in their mental health journey. Kimberly ensures that each person she works with feels understood and valued throughout their therapeutic process.

Zainub Fatta - Therapist (Davie)

Zainub holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University and has extensive experience treating a wide range of mental health issues in adults, teens, and children. She specializes in treating diverse mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, anger management, etc. She also has a lot of experience treating addiction and substance abuse problems within various treatment centers. Zainub views mental health from a systemic perspective, emphasizing the significance of how one’s environment and childhood impacts them, which is why she also specializes in family therapy and couples therapy, when it comes to achieving holistic well-being. Passionate about empowering individuals to find their voice, she considers it a privilege to listen to their vulnerable stories and provide the support they need. Her therapeutic approach focuses on uplifting clients by building their confidence and challenging them to break old, negative patterns of thinking and behavior.

Krystine Garay

Krystine Garay – Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Krystine Garay is a licensed mental health counselor, marriage family therapist, and certified telehealth practitioner. Raised in Miami, Florida, and a member of the Hispanic community, she provides services in both English and Spanish. With five years of experience, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, focusing on domestic violence, substance abuse, family conflicts, co-occurring disorders, and mental health issues.
Krystine holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and a master’s degree with dual specializations in mental health and marriage and family counseling from Barry University. She is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology with a concentration in health psychology from Carlos Albizu University.
Her clinical experience includes rotations at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, where she assisted children with co-occurring disorders using mindfulness exercises, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and dialectical-behavioral techniques.
Krystine believes in the power of personal growth and progress, and she is dedicated to fostering positive change in her clients’ lives.

Alyssa Mencucci – Therapist (Miami)

Alyssa is a dedicated master’s level clinician specializing in providing compassionate
therapy for adolescents and children facing severe mental health challenges. With a
deep understanding of the developmental stages and psychological needs of
adolescents and children, Alyssa offers expertise in addressing trauma-related issues,
guiding individuals through the complexities of grief, managing anxiety and depression,
navigating personality disorders, and supporting those dealing with PTSD. Alyssa uses
evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, DBT, play therapy,
and trauma-focused interventions to create a safe and nurturing environment for
healing. Alyssa believes in a client-centered approach, tailoring therapy to meet the
unique needs and circumstances of each individual. She creates a safe and nurturing
environment where adolescents and children can explore their emotions, develop
coping skills, and embark on a journey of healing and growth.

Dr. Jacqueline Pablos – Clinical Director

Vulnerability and connection are at the heart of Dr. Pablos’ therapeutic approach. As the
Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she aims to create a safe space for
clients to embrace their emotions and express their needs in healthier ways. Dr. Pablos
specializes in treating depression, anxiety, body image issues, bullying, eating
disorders, and self-harm behaviors using techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and
ACT.
With extensive training in hospitals and counseling centers, Dr. Pablos has a strong
background in helping teens and adults with co-occurring mental and physical health
disorders. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, with specialized training
at institutions like Florida International University, Jackson Memorial Hospital,
Clementine Monte Nido, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Kimberly

Kimberly Carlesi – Therapist (Miami)

Kimberly, a dedicated therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling from Florida International University, specializes in supporting individuals
with eating disorders, trauma, and substance abuse. She creates a safe, nurturing
environment for her clients’ healing journeys, drawing from diverse therapeutic
modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. With a
focus on trust and collaboration, Kimberly empowers clients through personalized
interventions, fostering self-awareness and resilience.