Cannabis Use May Buffer Suicidal Ideation in Bullied LGBTQ+ Youth — But Opioids and Hallucinogens Increase Suicide Attempts

Bullied LGBTQ+ youth had 2.71 times higher odds of planning suicide attempts. Opioid/prescription drug use increased attempt odds 4.6-fold, hallucinogen use 8.89-fold. No significant association between alcohol and STB. Unexpectedly, cannabis moderated the bullying-suicidality association: bullied youth who used cannabis were less likely to report suicidal ideation and planning than bullied non-users.

Cross-sectional analysis of combined 2003-2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N=96,482). Hierarchical logistic regression examining interactions between bullying victimization, substance use (alcohol, cannabis, hallucinogens, opioids), and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in LGBTQ+ youth.

This is one of the largest studies examining the intersection of bullying, substance use, and suicidality in LGBTQ+ youth. The cannabis finding is counterintuitive and important: while not endorsing cannabis use, it suggests some youth may use it as a coping mechanism that temporarily reduces suicidal thinking.

The differential substance-suicide associations highlight that not all substance use carries the same risk. While opioids and hallucinogens amplify suicidality risk in bullied LGBTQ+ youth, cannabis may serve as a coping mechanism — though healthier alternatives should be developed.

Cross-sectional YRBS data cannot establish causation. Self-reported bullying and substance use. Cannabis finding does not mean cannabis is therapeutic for suicidality — it may simply be a less harmful coping mechanism than other substances. Historical data (2003-2019) spans different cannabis eras.