Associations between tobacco and cannabis use and anxiety and depression among adults in the United States: Findings from the COVID-19 citizen science study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289058
• Publication Date: 2023-09-13T17:25:15Z
• Authors: Nhung Nguyen; Noah D. Peyser; Jeffrey E. Olgin; Mark J. Pletcher; Alexis L. Beatty; Madelaine F. Modrow; Thomas W. Carton; Rasha Khatib; Djeneba Audrey Djibo; Pamela M. Ling; Gregory M. Marcus
• Keywords: Depression; Odds

Background Little is known about whether people who use both tobacco and cannabis (co-use) are more or less likely to have mental health disorders than single substance users non-users. We aimed examine associations between of and/or with anxiety depression. Methods analyzed data from the COVID-19 Citizen Science Study, a digital cohort study, collected via online surveys during 2020–2022 convenience sample 53,843 US adults (≥ 18 years old) nationwide. Past 30-day was self-reported at baseline categorized into four exclusive patterns: tobacco-only use, cannabis-only co-use substances, non-use. Anxiety depression were repeatedly measured in monthly surveys. To account for multiple assessments outcomes within participant, we used Generalized Estimating Equations patterns each outcome. Results In total (mean age 51.0 old, 67.9% female), 4.9% reported 6.9% 1.6% co-use, 86.6% Proportions reporting highest group (26.5% 28.3%, respectively) lowest non-use (10.6% 11.2%, respectively). Compared non-use, adjusted odds ( : OR = 1 . 89 , 95%CI 64–2 18; Depression 77 46–2 16 ), followed by use. (OR 35 08–1 69) 17 00–1 37 ) associated higher anxiety, but not Daily (vs. non-daily use) cigarettes, e-cigarettes, Conclusions Use cannabis, particularly poor health. Integrating support cessation may address this co-morbidity.