Middle-aged women replacing prescriptions with cannabis often struggle with sleep
Mueller J, Sapp J, Attonito J, Chakraborty A, Villalba K
Medicinal Plants
Cannabis is a plant whose medicinal use is reshaping how people manage mental health prescriptions, and understanding who turns to it, and why, helps clarify the real-world role of plant-derived compounds in everyday health decisions.
Researchers surveyed 172 middle-aged women who had swapped their prescribed anxiety or depression medications for cannabis. They found that trouble sleeping and drinking alcohol were the strongest factors linked to making that switch, regardless of which medication was being replaced. Women replacing antidepressants were also more likely to feel lonely or have less formal education.
Key Findings
Sleep difficulties were the strongest predictor of cannabis substitution: 4.2x more likely for anxiety meds (95% CI: 2.1-8.0) and 6.6x more likely for depression meds (95% CI: 3.1-14.1).
Alcohol use predicted substitution in both groups (OR ~1.1), and loneliness doubled the odds of substituting for antidepressants (OR = 2.0).
Participants showed clinically significant anxiety (mean score 12.5) and depression (mean score 11.6), with average adverse childhood experience scores above 4 in both groups.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Midlife women who substitute cannabis for prescription anxiety or depression medications are more likely to have sleep problems and higher alcohol use. Those replacing antidepressants specifically also tend to experience loneliness and have lower education levels.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Substitution of Cannabis for Prescribed Medications in the Management of Anxiety and Depression Among Midlife Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Given the rising prevalence of cannabis use as an alternative strategy for managing mental health symptoms, there is a crucial need to understand the determinants of substitution behavior, particul...
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