Cannabis Use Was Linked to Lower Suicidal Risk in Female But Not Male Psychiatric Patients
Among 530 psychiatric inpatients, cannabis use was associated with lower suicidal intensity in females but not males, while increased cannabis use combined with low psychological flexibility predicted greater suicidal intensity in males.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis use was associated with lower suicidal ideation intensity for females (p=.026) but not males (p=.525). In males, increased cannabis use combined with lower psychological flexibility was associated with greater suicidal intensity (p=.049). 49.6% of the sample had attempted suicide, 34.3% had suicidal ideation, and 16% had no suicidality.
Key Numbers
n=530; 49.6% prior suicide attempt; 34.3% suicidal ideation; 16% no suicidality; female cannabis-SII association p=.026; male cannabis x low flexibility p=.049.
How They Did This
Path analysis of 530 psychiatric inpatients aged 18+, using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale and ASSIST for cannabis use. Model included moderating and mediating factors: psychiatric comorbidity, emotional regulation, psychological flexibility, and polygenic risk scores.
Why This Research Matters
The sex-specific findings challenge one-size-fits-all assumptions about cannabis and suicide risk. The role of psychological flexibility as a mediator suggests that the mental health context in which cannabis is used may matter more than use itself.
The Bigger Picture
This adds to the complex picture of cannabis and suicide, where effects appear to depend on sex, comorbidities, and psychological factors rather than cannabis use alone.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design in a psychiatric inpatient sample, which may not generalize. Cannot determine causation. Path analysis results should be considered exploratory. Self-reported cannabis use.
Questions This Raises
- ?Why might cannabis use be associated with lower suicidal intensity in women but not men?
- ?Is psychological flexibility a targetable intervention for male cannabis users at suicide risk?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabis was linked to lower suicidal intensity in female but not male psychiatric inpatients
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: Meaningful sample size with sophisticated path analysis including genetic risk scores, but cross-sectional inpatient design limits generalizability.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- The association between cannabis use and suicidal intensity in psychiatric inpatients.
- Published In:
- The American journal on addictions, 34(5), 506-516 (2025)
- Authors:
- Oladunjoye, Adeolu Funso, Swann, Alan, Kosten, Thomas R(4), Patriquin, Michelle, Bigdeli, Tim, Barr, Peter, Wilkinson, Anna V, Harding, Mark J, Nielsen, David A, Graham, David P
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07274
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean cannabis prevents suicide in women?
No. The study found a statistical association in a specific population (female psychiatric inpatients) using cross-sectional data. This cannot establish causation and should not be interpreted as evidence that cannabis is protective against suicide.
What is psychological flexibility?
Psychological flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing situations, shift perspective, and balance competing desires and needs. In this study, low psychological flexibility in male cannabis users was associated with greater suicidal intensity.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07274APA
Oladunjoye, Adeolu Funso; Swann, Alan; Kosten, Thomas R; Patriquin, Michelle; Bigdeli, Tim; Barr, Peter; Wilkinson, Anna V; Harding, Mark J; Nielsen, David A; Graham, David P. (2025). The association between cannabis use and suicidal intensity in psychiatric inpatients.. The American journal on addictions, 34(5), 506-516. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.70047
MLA
Oladunjoye, Adeolu Funso, et al. "The association between cannabis use and suicidal intensity in psychiatric inpatients.." The American journal on addictions, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.70047
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "The association between cannabis use and suicidal intensity ..." RTHC-07274. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/oladunjoye-2025-the-association-between-cannabis
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.