TL / DR

We’re Canada’s leading national lung health charity, so we’ve got to say it: smoking cannabis has respiratory health risks, both short-and long-term.

But we get it. You’re up against some serious challenges right now, and you may think of cannabis as your sidekick during tough times (cough, global pandemic).

Whether you’re looking for helpquitting or you just want to make your cannabis use safer, the Lung Health Foundation is here for you.

Cannabis + Mental Health: What does the science say?

Good news, Toker nation: The risk of developing a mood disorder following regular cannabis use is low. Most people who use cannabis won’t go on to develop a mental illness.

On the other hand, research does suggest that people affected by mental illnesses are more likely to consume cannabis (sometimes a lot of it – and the results can be mixed).

If you’re using cannabis to cope, there are ways to make your cannabis use saferfor your lungs. There are also programs and services that can help you cope with the challenges you’re facing.

Fast Facts

Depression

Cannabis use may make symptoms worse in people seeking treatment for their depression12 while taking a break from cannabis may make depressive symptoms less severe in as little as 28 days.13

Anxiety

There are many different types of anxiety, but those living with social anxiety disorder may be at a higher risk of developing cannabis use disorder.14

Bipolar disorders

Cannabis may be associated with greater expression of manic symptoms15 but more research is needed. Relationships between bipolar disorders and cannabis aren’t well studied compared to other illnesses.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Since the body’s natural endocannabinoid signaling plays a role in fear-related memories and behaviours, both THC and CBD are being investigated as potential treatments in clinical trials. More research is needed.

Psychosis and schizophrenia

Anyone with a personal or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia may be safer abstaining. Canada’s evidence-based Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG) suggest that those who are at higher risk of psychosis skip it all together.16

TOKER TIP: Watch that THC

The THC found in cannabis can make some people feel relaxed and happy, but THC can also cause confusion, drowsiness, forgetfulness, panic, delusions and distorted perceptions in others.

You may feel these negative effects more if you’re using cannabis a lot, or if you’re picking cannabis strains that are higher in THC. It can also depend on your mood and environment, pre-existing medical or psychiatric conditions, and whether you’re using cannabis with alcohol or other drugs (please don’t).

For your overall health and lung protection, pick cannabis products or strains with lower THC content, or a higher ratio of CBD to THC. And remember, there are ways to use cannabis that don’t involve smoke!

Learn about THC’s effects on the lungs here.

TOKER TIP: Watch that THC

The THC found in cannabis can make some people feel relaxed and happy, but THC can also cause confusion, drowsiness, forgetfulness, panic, delusions and distorted perceptions in others.

You may feel these negative effects more if you’re using cannabis a lot, or if you’re picking cannabis strains that are higher in THC. It can also depend on your mood and environment, pre-existing medical or psychiatric conditions, and whether you’re using cannabis with alcohol or other drugs (please don’t).

For your overall health and lung protection, pick cannabis products or strains with lower THC content, or a higher ratio of CBD to THC. And remember, there are ways to use cannabis that don’t involve smoke!

Learn about THC’s effects on the lungs here.

Nemesis profile: Cannabis Use Disorder

We’re not here to demonize cannabis, but too much of anything can be a bad thing.

Roughly 1 in 10 people who use cannabis will develop cannabis use disorder, sometimes called cannabis addiction.17 Here are a few of the signs and symptoms that are used to diagnose cannabis use disorder:

  • You’ve tried, unsuccessfully, to control your use.
  • You’re failing to fulfill major obligations at work, home or school because of your cannabis use.
  • You continue to use it, even though it’s causing you physical or psychological problems – or affecting your relationships.
  • You find yourself needing to use more and more cannabis (you’re building a tolerance to its effects).
  • You’ve stopped using cannabis, and within a week or two you’ve developed withdrawal symptoms – think irritability, sleep disorders, decreased appetite, weight loss, and restlessness.

Not everyone who uses cannabis (even regularly) will develop cannabis use disorder. Likewise, a person doesn’t have to be using loads of cannabis to develop the disorder – it’s more about how your cannabis use is affecting your day-to-day life and relationships.

Making your cannabis use safer

Not ready to quit? Here are some other ways you can reduce the risk to your lungs:

  • Choose non-smoke alternatives. Though not risk-free, they do protect your lungs from damage.
  • If you do still choose to smoke cannabis, cut back to occasional use. Risks increase with frequency.
  • When smoking or vaping, avoid inhaling deeply or holding your breath. That means lower toxin exposure.
  • For your overall health, choose  products with lower THC content, or a higher ratio of CBD to THC.
  • Avoid synthetic cannabis products. Synthetic cannabis ranges from four to 660 times more potent than THC, depending on the specific compound.

Making your cannabis use safer

Not ready to quit? Here are some other ways you can reduce the risk to your lungs:

  • Choose non-smoke alternatives. Though not risk-free, they do protect your lungs from damage.
  • If you do still choose to smoke cannabis, cut back to occasional use. Risks increase with frequency.
  • When smoking or vaping, avoid inhaling deeply or holding your breath. That means lower toxin exposure.
  • For your overall health, choose  products with lower THC content, or a higher ratio of CBD to THC.
  • Avoid synthetic cannabis products. Synthetic cannabis ranges from four to 660 times more potent than THC, depending on the specific compound.

Get help

Maybe you’re struggling to cope right now, with or without an official mental health diagnosis. Maybe you’ve decided that your cannabis use is becoming problematic. Or maybe you just need a hero who can lend an ear.

There are free programs and services that are here to help you.

Canada-wide

Wellness Together Canada provides free resources and support for your mental health and wellness journey. It was funded by the Government of Canada in response to the unprecedented rise in mental distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They provide wellness programs you can do on your own, coaching, monitored online support communities, and individual phone, video, and text counselling.

The Lung Health Foundation’s Lung Health Line is staffed by Certified Respiratory Educators with experience in helping people quit smoking (whether you reach for cigarettes or cannabis). If you’re feeling anxious about your respiratory health, they can help with that too.

1-888-344-LUNG | info@lunghealth.ca | Chat live at lunghealth.ca
(M-F, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. EST)

Alberta

Alberta’s Addiction and Mental Health Helpline is available 24 hours a day. It’s staffed by nurses, psychiatric nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and psychologists.
1-866-332-2322

British Columbia

BC’s Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service provides free, confidential information and referral services to British Columbians in need of support with any kind of substance use issue.
1-800-663-1441

310Mental Health Support (310-6789) offers toll-free provincial access to emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health. In operation since 2009, this network is also available 24/7/365 throughout BC.

Manitoba

Manitoba’s Addictions Helpline is a free and confidential service that can connect you with a counsellor and help you narrow down which programs are right for you.
1-855-662-6605

The Klinic Crisis Program operates a variety of crisis phone lines and online support services, providing free and confidential counselling, support and referrals for people who are suicidal, in crisis or struggling to cope.
1-888-322-3019

New Brunswick

Chimo is a provincial crisis phone line, accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to all residents of New Brunswick. Chimo is an Inuit word that means friendship.
1-800-667-5005

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Mental Health Crisis Line is a free, confidential 24/7 service for individuals, family and friends.
1.888.737.4668

The Warm Line offers non-emergency, non-crisis telephone support for people who are living with mental health issues. It’s available between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. daily.
1-855-753-2560

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line is available 24/7. Get connected with mental health and addictions professionals who provide support, programs, and services.
1-888-429-8167

Good2Talk provides confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
1-888-925-5454 | Text GOOD2TALKNS to 686868

Nunavut

The Kamatsiaqtut Help Line is anonymous, confidential and staffed by trained volunteers. All of their volunteers speak English, and many speak Inuktitut and French.
1-867-979-3333

Ontario

ConnexOntario provides free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with mental illness, alcohol and drugs, or gambling by connecting them with services in their area.
1-866-531-2600

Good2Talk provides confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
1-888-925-5454 | Text GOOD2TALKON to 686868

Distress and Crisis Ontario is for anyone in distress, crisis, or having suicidal thoughts. They also offer in-person Distress Centres in many communities.
Chat live at dcontario.org | Text SUPPORT to 258258

Prince Edward Island

P.E.I.’s Mental Health and Addictions Information Line calls are answered by trained mental health and addictions staff. Mental Health Walk-In Clinics are also available in some communities.
1-833-533-9333

Quebec

Tel-Jeune’s free and confidential French language support services are available for anyone under 20 years old.
1-800-263-2266 | Text 514-600-1002 (8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.) | Chat online at teljeunes.com

Drugs: Help and Referral (DAR) provides support, information and referral to people coping with addiction throughout Québec. Available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, this specialized helpline service is bilingual, free, anonymous and confidential.
1-800-265-2626

Saskatchewan

HealthLine 811 is a confidential, 24-hour health and mental health and addictions advice, education and support telephone line staffed by experienced and specially trained Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, and Registered Social Workers. Services are offered in English, with translation available in over 100 languages.
Call HealthLine at 811

Yukon

The Government of Yukon offers services like 1-on-1 counselling, long-term clinical counselling, and group counselling services. They can help you with your depression, anxiety, substance use, and more.
867-456-3838

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