The survey study examined data from more than 281,000 adults ages 18 to 34, who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2008 to 2019.
Participants were considered to have cannabis use disorder if they had developed tolerance; used cannabis in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended; been unable to reduce cannabis use; spent a lot of time obtaining, using or recovering from the effects of cannabis; given up important activities and obligations in favor of cannabis; and continued cannabis use despite negative consequences.
“While we cannot establish that cannabis use caused the increased suicidality we observed in this study, these associations warrant further research, especially given the great burden of suicide on young adults,” said US National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Dr.
“Using nationally representative data, we found that trends in suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt varied by the pattern of cannabis use …
“These associations remained regardless of whether someone was also experiencing depression,” according to a news release for the study.
Some of these associations were more significant among women and non-Hispanic Black participants, the researchers found.
The research “generates more questions than answers,” said Dr.
“Suicide and suicidal thinking are multifactorial, complex experiences and behaviors.
The findings regarding race and ethnicity were similar to those in a recent study on substance use and suicidality among high schoolers: Although more White participants experienced suicidal ideation or planning than those of other races or ethnicities, slightly more non-Hispanic Black participants attempted suicide, used cannabis nearly every day or daily, and had cannabis use disorder.
Participants whose families earned $49,999 or less were also generally more likely than families with higher incomes to experience suicidal ideation, planning, suicide attempts and daily or near-daily cannabis use.
These economic conditions could “also could interact with cannabis use in ways that need to continue to be explored,” Gonzalez said.
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