A recent analysis of U.S. poison center data conducted by researchers at Washington State University has found a concerning trend of increasing suspected suicidal cannabis exposures.
Over a 12-year period, the annual increase in such exposures has been recorded at 17%. Although the majority of cases involved other substances in addition to cannabis, accounting for over 92% of the attempts, the data does not offer conclusive evidence of a direct causal link between cannabis and suicide attempts.
However, the researchers have highlighted the worrying nature of the findings, particularly given the more pronounced increase in cases among women and children during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study has been published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
“This study adds to already ample evidence that cannabis use, particularly by younger people, has significant implications for mental health,” comments study co-author Tracy Klein.
“We don’t have evidence that cannabis alone was the primary driver of a suicide attempt, but we do know that cannabis can worsen certain mental health conditions and increase impulsivity.”
According to the study, a staggering 18,698 cases of intentional, suspected suicide cannabis exposures were reported to U.S. poison centers between 2009 and 2021. Shockingly, almost 10% of these cases resulted in death or major outcomes such as permanent disability. The study also found that while younger individuals accounted for more of these exposures, the severe consequences were more common among those aged 65 and older.
The U.S. poison centers play a crucial role in identifying and managing toxicology cases by providing their expertise 24/7 to households and healthcare facilities. In addition, they conduct thorough investigations into the causes of poisoning, often following up with patients and doctors to determine if the exposure was intentional or not.
Accidental cannabis poisonings have been on the rise since the legalization of cannabis in many states, as reported by several sources. According to Klein, certain measures can be taken to prevent these unintentional incidents, such as the implementation of packaging guidelines to prevent confusion between edible cannabis products and candy.
On the other hand, intentional cannabis poisonings have not been thoroughly studied. This is one of the main reasons why researchers conducted their analysis, and their findings emphasize the need for more mental health services. The study suggests that more attention needs to be given to intentional cannabis poisoning cases, and mental health professionals should be involved in the prevention and treatment of such incidents.
“We have a significant shortage of mental health and primary care providers in the United States,” Klein adds. “We know that mental health needs not only changed but became even more acute during the COVID-19 emergency. Cannabis is one part of that.”
New research findings suggest that the use of cannabis among young people can lead to depression, anxiety, and may even hinder brain development. In addition, recent studies have also established a correlation between cannabis use in youths and suicidal thoughts. Considering these outcomes, Janessa Graves, a nursing associate professor at WSU, stressed the importance of restricting young people’s access to cannabis.
“Children and adolescents shouldn’t be able to purchase or access cannabis,” Graves adds. “We also need to educate kids and parents around the risks of cannabis. I think many people just aren’t aware the impacts cannabis can have on brain development, and on behavioral and mental health, especially in adolescents and young adults.”
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