2024/09/30 by Kara Thompson, Margo C. Watt, Darien DeWolf +1 · 1 voice
Medicine · Psychology · #Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research #Sleep and related disorders #Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
paper · doi:10.1177/21676968241287390
openalex publication_date 2024/09/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
This study investigated sex differences in indicators of mental health (anxiety, depression) and cardiovascular health (e.g., physical activity levels, heart rate, VO 2 max) in a sample of cannabis-using undergraduates. The sample included 209 participants (65% female) who completed two daily diaries for 14 days on their mobile devices; half of whom ( n = 100) also wore a Fitbit Charge 4. Females (vs. males) reported significantly more psychological distress at baseline; greater use of cannabis to cope with symptoms of both physical and mental ill-health; and more risks to cardiovascular health. Discriminant function analysis revealed that the variables that significantly distinguished females from males were: 1. Lower VO2 max percentile; 2. Fewer “moderate-to-very active” minutes of physical activity; 3. Higher depression scores plus poorer perceptions of mental health and physical health. Findings from this study suggest that female emerging adults who use cannabis regularly may be uniquely vulnerable to cannabis-related risks.