There's a Scientific Reason Regular Cannabis Users Wake Up More Stressed

Recent research shows people who use cannabis regularly wake with elevated stress hormone levels compared with non‑users. The increase was measured shortly after participants rose, indicating a consistent morning elevation. The result comes from a study conducted by researchers at Oregon State University, which measured cortisol in participants who reported daily or near‑daily marijuana consumption.

Nautilus and ScienceAlert highlighted the biochemical angle, while Health and Me framed the outcome as a challenge to the common belief that cannabis always relaxes. Reporting does not yet detail the sample size, demographic breakdown, or whether other substances were controlled, leaving gaps in understanding the broader relevance. It is unclear if the elevated hormone translates into long‑term health effects or if specific usage patterns modify the response.

Future investigations will need to address these uncertainties and examine whether cessation reduces the hormone level.