Frequent cannabis use linked to higher morning cortisol levels

Research published this week indicates that individuals who regularly consume cannabis exhibit elevated cortisol levels in the morning compared with non‑users. The study, which measured salivary cortisol in a cohort of habitual cannabis users and matched controls, found a statistically significant increase in the early‑day hormone that is typically associated with the body’s circadian stress response.

The authors suggest that chronic cannabis use may interfere with the normal regulation of the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑adrenal axis, potentially leading to a dysregulation of daily stress rhythms. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the findings add to a growing body of evidence that frequent cannabis consumption can alter endocrine function. Further longitudinal research is needed to determine whether these hormonal changes translate into clinical outcomes such as heightened anxiety or impaired sleep.