Cannabis legalization debates continue worldwide, driven by its potential therapeutic benefits for certain conditions. Yet, the risk of dependence cannot be overlooked—particularly for women. Research from Italy's National Research Council reveals that while men are four times more likely to try cannabis and use larger amounts more often, women face a greater risk of addiction due to estrogen, the female sex hormone. Biologically, women appear more sensitive to cannabis's effects, including the dopamine release that produces instant pleasure in the brain.
"Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug globally," says Dr. Liana Fattore, lead study author and neurobiologist at Italy's National Research Council. "Despite links to negative health outcomes like addiction, medical and recreational use is expanding. Synthetic cannabinoids—more potent mimics of cannabis effects and deemed unsafe—have surged in popularity, linked to poisonings and deaths. Understanding the drivers of cannabis use and dependence is crucial."
Though the precise cause of women's heightened sensitivity remains under study, experts confirm biological sex significantly influences how cannabinoids—the compounds that bind to receptors in the human and mammalian body—are regulated. "Animal research points to endogenous factors," Dr. Fattore notes, such as estradiol, which modulates the endocannabinoid system. In female rats, this hormone affects motor control, social behavior, and sensory processing in the brain—key elements in drug response—while the system also influences estradiol production.
Data from the UK's National Health Service (NHS) shows about 10% of cannabis users develop addiction, with risks rising sharply for those starting young or using daily. Compounded tobacco use further heightens dependence potential. For optimal health, abstinence remains the safest choice.
