Abstract
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been linked to various areas of cardiovascular disease and mortality in previous research. Within this area, certain mental illnesses and use of psychoactive substances have been associated with low HRV and its health implications. Little research exists that examines the combined effects of mental illness and psychoactive substance use. The current research aims to understand if there is a compounding negative effect of these two factors when studied in tandem. Using a three-phase study design, HRV was analysed at baseline and at physiological relaxation, with participants being included under certain mental health, substance use, or control groups based on self-report data. After a two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), it appears that individuals living with ADHD, anxiety disorders, or both who also use cannabis have higher than average HRV. Interestingly, this could imply a positive effect of cannabis use on an individual’s autonomic nervous system (ANS) if they live with ADHD, an anxiety disorder, or both. The findings of this study highlight the need for further research with larger, more diverse samples.
Recommended Citation
Lopez, Sage M.. 2026. "Heart Rate Variability in the Context of Mental Health and Substance Use." Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections 9, (1). https://scholars.wlu.ca/bridges_contemporary_connections/vol9/iss1/1
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Biological Psychology Commons, Mental Disorders Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons