Cannabis Users in Brazil Had Three Times the Rate of Suicidal Thoughts as the General Population
In a nationally representative Brazilian survey, cannabis users had markedly elevated rates of suicidal ideation (31.5%) and suicide attempts (16.5%) that remained significant even after controlling for demographics, tobacco use, family history, and depression.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among cannabis users, 31.5% reported suicidal ideation and 16.5% reported suicide attempts, compared to 9.9% and 5.4% in the general sample. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, tobacco use, family history of suicide, and depression, cannabis use remained positively associated with both suicidal ideation and attempts.
Key Numbers
4,607 participants. Cannabis users: 31.5% suicidal ideation (vs 9.9% overall), 16.5% suicide attempts (vs 5.4% overall). Associations remained significant after adjusting for depression, tobacco use, family history, and demographics.
How They Did This
National probability sample survey (II BNADS) of 4,607 Brazilians aged 14+ using multistage cluster design. Self-reported substance use, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. Response rate 77%.
Why This Research Matters
The persistence of the cannabis-suicide association after adjusting for depression and other confounders suggests cannabis use may be an independent risk marker for suicidal behavior, warranting screening in cannabis-using populations.
The Bigger Picture
This study from Brazil adds to a growing body of evidence linking cannabis use with suicidal behavior across diverse populations and cultures. The finding that the association persists after controlling for depression is particularly noteworthy.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine causation. Self-reported measures of both substance use and suicidality. Cannabis users may differ from non-users in unmeasured ways. Brazilian context may differ from other countries.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does cannabis use contribute to suicidal behavior or do shared risk factors explain the association?
- ?Would cannabis cessation reduce suicide risk?
- ?Should suicide screening be standard in cannabis use disorder treatment?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 31.5% of cannabis users reported suicidal ideation vs 9.9% of the general sample; the association persisted after controlling for depression.
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate - large nationally representative sample with 77% response rate and multivariable adjustment, but cross-sectional.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019.
- Original Title:
- Suicidal behavior among substance users: data from the Second Brazilian National Alcohol and Drug Survey (II BNADS).
- Published In:
- Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999), 41(5), 437-440 (2019)
- Authors:
- Abdalla, Renata R, Miguel, André C, Brietzke, Elisa, Caetano, Raul, Laranjeira, Ronaldo, Madruga, Clarice S
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01892
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is cannabis use linked to suicide?
This Brazilian national survey found cannabis users had markedly higher rates of suicidal ideation (31.5% vs 9.9%) and suicide attempts (16.5% vs 5.4%). The association remained significant even after accounting for depression, tobacco use, and family history of suicide.
Does depression explain the link between cannabis and suicide?
Not entirely. While depression was also associated with suicidal behavior, the cannabis-suicide association persisted after controlling for depression, demographics, tobacco use, and family history. This suggests cannabis use may be an independent risk marker.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01892APA
Abdalla, Renata R; Miguel, André C; Brietzke, Elisa; Caetano, Raul; Laranjeira, Ronaldo; Madruga, Clarice S. (2019). Suicidal behavior among substance users: data from the Second Brazilian National Alcohol and Drug Survey (II BNADS).. Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999), 41(5), 437-440. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2018-0054
MLA
Abdalla, Renata R, et al. "Suicidal behavior among substance users: data from the Second Brazilian National Alcohol and Drug Survey (II BNADS).." Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2018-0054
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Suicidal behavior among substance users: data from the Secon..." RTHC-01892. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/abdalla-2019-suicidal-behavior-among-substance
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.