Research links cannabis use to increased risks of violence and anxiety

A meta-analysis published in Psychological Medicine has identified a significant correlation between cannabis use and an increased risk of violence. Analyzing 63 studies involving over 265,000 participants, researchers found that cannabis users are statistically more likely to commit violent acts. Additionally, consumption is significantly linked to an increased risk of becoming a victim of violence, particularly among women and mixed-gender groups.

Researchers from King’s College London emphasize that this is a correlation rather than a proven causal link. They suggest that users may be placed in high-risk situations or exposed to criminal environments, increasing their vulnerability. As cannabis becomes increasingly commercialized and legalized globally, experts argue that the social and clinical implications of violence—both as a perpetrator and a victim—must be included in public discourse.

Separately, research published in Nature Communications has identified a neurological mechanism that may explain why cannabis can trigger anxiety, fear, and paranoia instead of relaxation. Scientists at Northwestern University discovered that specific neurons in the central amygdala, known as SOM neurons, play a key role in amplifying anxiety-related behaviors, especially when cannabinoid effects are combined with stressful situations.