Rationale:  A growing number of unpaid, informal caregivers—largely spouses and adult children over 50—provide daily assistance, medical care, and support services to the aging population. Many of these caregivers report increased stress, health issues, and mental health struggles. 

Method: Researchers looked at 2,802 adult caregivers, all at least 50 years of age. On top of their primary jobs, each caregiver worked about 16 extra hours a week care-giving. Caregivers self-reported levels of distress, depression, and nervousness. Researchers assessed aspects of physical health, including diagnoses of asthma and diabetes.

Results: Among adults 50 and older, caregivers were more likely to use cannabis than non-caregivers. However, caregivers that used cannabis were more than twice as likely to report feeling nervous than caregivers who did not use the drug. Users were also more likely to be diagnosed with asthma or diabetes, but less likely to receive medical care than caregivers who did not use cannabis.

Meaning: In this study, informal caregivers who used cannabis to cope with the demands of their work reported more nervousness and higher rates of serious medical conditions than non-users. Although the challenges of care-taking may contribute to one’s decision to use cannabis, these data suggest that the drug is not helpful.