Recent cannabis use linked to higher odds of suicidal thinking in U.S. adults
Adults who used cannabis in the past 30 days had 54% higher odds of suicidal ideation and 53% higher odds of depression compared to non-users in a nationally representative sample.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
After adjusting for potential confounders, recent cannabis users (past 30 days) had significantly higher odds of suicidal ideation (aOR 1.54), depression (aOR 1.53), and having recently seen a mental health professional, compared to those without recent cannabis use.
Key Numbers
21,726 participants: 18,599 non-users, 3,127 recent users. Suicidal ideation aOR 1.54 (95% CI 1.19-2.00, p=0.001). Depression aOR 1.53 (95% CI 1.29-1.82).
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis of 21,726 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005-2018). Multiple logistic regression adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic factors, and comorbidities, with survey sample weights.
Why This Research Matters
With cannabis use prevalence rising, understanding its relationship with suicidal thinking is critical for public health screening and policy decisions.
The Bigger Picture
The relationship between cannabis and suicidality is likely multifactorial. People with depression or suicidal thoughts may use cannabis as self-medication, making the direction of causation unclear.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine causation or direction of effect. Self-reported cannabis use. Does not account for quantity, potency, or reason for use.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does cannabis use contribute to suicidal ideation, or do people with suicidal thoughts use cannabis for relief?
- ?Would results differ by frequency or type of cannabis use?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 54% higher odds of suicidal ideation among recent cannabis users
- Evidence Grade:
- Large, nationally representative dataset with appropriate statistical adjustments, but cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022 using NHANES data from 2005-2018.
- Original Title:
- The Association between Recent Cannabis Use and Suicidal Ideation in Adults: A Population-based Analysis of the NHANES from 2005 to 2018.
- Published In:
- Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 67(4), 259-267 (2022)
- Authors:
- Diep, Calvin(2), Bhat, Venkat, Wijeysundera, Duminda N(2), Clarke, Hance A, Ladha, Karim S
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03807
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean cannabis causes suicidal thoughts?
Not necessarily. The cross-sectional design shows an association but cannot determine direction. People experiencing suicidal ideation may also be more likely to use cannabis as a coping mechanism.
How strong was the association?
After adjusting for multiple factors, recent cannabis users had 54% higher odds of suicidal ideation (aOR 1.54, p=0.001) and 53% higher odds of depression (aOR 1.53) compared to non-users.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03807APA
Diep, Calvin; Bhat, Venkat; Wijeysundera, Duminda N; Clarke, Hance A; Ladha, Karim S. (2022). The Association between Recent Cannabis Use and Suicidal Ideation in Adults: A Population-based Analysis of the NHANES from 2005 to 2018.. Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 67(4), 259-267. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743721996112
MLA
Diep, Calvin, et al. "The Association between Recent Cannabis Use and Suicidal Ideation in Adults: A Population-based Analysis of the NHANES from 2005 to 2018.." Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743721996112
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "The Association between Recent Cannabis Use and Suicidal Ide..." RTHC-03807. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/diep-2022-the-association-between-recent
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.