Study Finds Self-Medicating Cannabis Users Face Greater Paranoia Risk

A landmark UK study has revealed that people who turn to cannabis for self-medication—rather than recreational use—are more likely to experience paranoia and long-term heavy use. The Cannabis and Me survey, spanning three years and involving 3,389 participants, marks the largest investigation yet into how motives for cannabis use shape its impact on mental health.

The study, jointly led by the University of Bath and King’s College London, found that those using cannabis to manage conditions such as anxiety, depression, or pain scored significantly higher on paranoia assessments. They also consumed greater amounts—averaging 10 to 17 joints per week, equating to around 206 units of THC, cannabis’s main psychoactive compound.

By contrast, participants who started using cannabis socially or for recreational fun tended to consume less and faced fewer long-term risks. Senior author Dr. Tom Freeman highlighted that self-medicating users are at risk of “a longer-term chronic pattern of use,” pointing to a cycle where initial coping strategies may evolve into dependency.

The second report emerging from the study delved into the role of childhood trauma. Over half of respondents reported some form of traumatic experience in their youth—a factor linked with higher paranoia scores and heavier cannabis use later in life. Researchers suggest trauma could amplify both the reliance on cannabis and its negative mental health outcomes.

These findings come at a crucial moment for cannabis regulation. While medical cannabis access is expanding globally, this study underscores the need for caution: using cannabis as a “medicine” without clinical oversight may inadvertently increase risks. Advocates argue that these insights strengthen the case for greater education, targeted harm-reduction strategies, and broader access to mental health resources alongside cannabis policy reforms.

The research also challenges some common narratives. Recreational users often draw stigma, but the study suggests that those who start with “fun” in mind may be less vulnerable to harmful patterns than those seeking relief from pain or psychological stressors.

👉 Thought for Readers: If cannabis can both ease symptoms and intensify paranoia depending on why it’s used, how should policymakers and health professionals balance medical access with safeguarding mental health? Share your thoughts in the comments.