Simultaneous polysubstance use, trait affect, body composition, and their associations with acute adverse reactions to cannabis

Abstract

In 2020, nearly 6.2 million people in Canada aged 15 and older reported using cannabis in the last three months (Statistics Canada, 2021). However, some individuals who consume cannabis may be more prone than others to experiencing acute (i.e., short-term) adverse reactions to cannabis (e.g., paranoia, anxiousness). The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between simultaneous polysubstance use and trait affect on experienced acute adverse reactions to cannabis. An exploratory aim was to examine the potential relationship between body composition and acute adverse reactions to cannabis. The study was a web-based survey, hosted by SurveyMonkey, using a cross-sectional design. Lakehead University students

and the general public across Canada participated in this study (N = 456). Pearson product- moment correlations, independent samples t-tests, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses

were performed to examine the relationships between simultaneous polysubstance use, trait affect, body composition, and acute adverse reactions to cannabis. Simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol, trait negative affect, and lower body weight were positively associated with experiencing acute adverse reactions to cannabis. The findings from this study have implications for people that use cannabis, have high negative affect, prescribing health care providers, and public health educators.