Research Finds Link Between Substance Abuse, Cannabis Poisoning, Suicide & Covid-19-Related Depression

A new study by researchers at Washington State University's College of Nursing looked at intentional cannabis poisoning, connected to suicide attempts though more than 92% involved other substances in addition to marijuana.

“We're seeing a great impact over COVID-19 to women and children in our data we saw an increase overall during the study period, in cannabis poisonings that increased year by year. And remember, these are intentional poisonings,” said WSU Professor Tracy Klein.

“And that means that for whatever reason someone intended to commit suicide with cannabis on board.” 

One of several researchers involved in the study, Klein was quick to note that the vast majority of the suicide attempts, more than 92%, involved other substances in addition to cannabis. The data cannot show a direct causal link between cannabis and suicide attempts.

That said, based on analysis of data from U.S. Poison centers, researchers found suspected suicidal cannabis exposures have increased 17% annually, over a period of 12 years, which Klein called troubling. 

The researcher said another issue raised by the research is the cannabis self-medication factor for those with mental health conditions, which may make them more prone to considering ending their lives.

“So we are very concerned about patients with depression or anxiety who are also using cannabis, perhaps with little direction, and are either not talking to their healthcare professional about it or their healthcare professional is not asking.” 

Although the findings of the study don’t draw absolute conclusions, it does show there is more to consider and safeguard, in a world increasingly open to cannabis.

The study analyzed data from the National Poison Data System (NPDS) over a period of 12 years and found that suspected suicidal cannabis exposures have increased by 17% annually.

Photo: Courtesy Of Daniel Norin On Unsplash