PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Although rats may turn to marijuana to quell their stress, Oregon scientists have found that the substance may have a different effect on humans who use it frequently.
Oregon State University researchers have found that frequent cannabis consumers are more likely to wake up with higher levels of cortisol — also known as the stress hormone. Although they noted stress is a common reason that people use the substance, they determined that it may only relieve it in the short term, while hindering stress-response systems in the long term.
Portland college settles lawsuit alleging discrimination against Jewish students
The study was led by OSU College of Liberal Arts Associate Professor Anita Cservenka. Her colleagues Julia Donner and Alexia Obrochta contributed to the findings published in science journal Cannabis.
The findings are some of few that connect frequent marijuana consumption to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, or the major neuroendocrine system, according to researchers…