Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
Published on: February 28, 2025
The association between preconception cannabis use and depression and anxiety during pregnancy
Qian Liya Leng1, Jamie O Lo2, Shauna Rakshe3
1Center for Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, OR, USA.
Objective:
Cannabis use among individuals of reproductive age has increased with cannabis legalization and heightened stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study provides data on preconception cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) during the pandemic and models the association between preconception cannabis use and depression and anxiety during pregnancy.
Methods:
Data on substance use and depression and anxiety symptoms were collected from questionnaires and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) from pregnant individuals in Oregon in 2019-2022. Linear regression was used to model the association between the frequency of preconception cannabis use and scores on the Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression-Revised (CESD-R) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
Results:
The prevalence of preconception cannabis use was 27.8% among 227 study participants. CUD was diagnosed in 19% of cannabis users, or 5.3% of the overall sample. Daily cannabis use, compared to rare/never use, was associated with increases in CESD-R (β = 6.22, p 0.029) and BAI (β = 4.71, p 0.045) scores.
Conclusions:
Cannabis use and CUD are common among individuals of reproductive age. Given the association between preconception cannabis use and depression and anxiety during pregnancy, more attention is needed on screening and counseling of cannabis use among people of reproductive age.
Related Concept Videos
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Depression: Overview
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...

