A recent study published in the journal Archives of Suicide Research has revealed that medicinal cannabis may significantly reduce suicidal ideation among patients.
The study, titled “Suicidal Ideation in Medicinal Cannabis Patients: A 12-Month Prospective Study,” aimed to document the prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) among individuals seeking cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMP) and to observe changes in their mental health over a 12-month period.
The study followed 3,781 patients at the start of their treatment, with follow-up data available for 2,112 patients at three months and 777 patients at 12 months. Researchers used self-reported measures of depressed mood and SI from the PHQ-9 questionnaire, alongside data on sociodemographic characteristics and overall well-being.
At the onset of treatment, 25% of the participants reported experiencing SI. These individuals also reported higher levels of depressed mood, disturbed sleep, poorer general health, and a lower quality of life compared to those not reporting SI. Specifically, the mean scores for depressed mood were significantly higher in patients with SI (17.4) than those without (11.3), indicating a greater level of distress.
The study found a significant reduction in the prevalence of SI over time. At the three-month mark, the prevalence of SI decreased from 23.6% to 17.6%, demonstrating a notable improvement. This reduction continued over the 12-month period, particularly among patients who initially reported SI. The mean score for depressed mood among these patients decreased from 17.7 at baseline to 10.3 after 12 months, suggesting that treatment with CBMPs had a positive impact on their mental health.
The study concludes:
SI is common among individuals seeking CBMPs to treat a range of chronic conditions and is associated with higher levels of depressed mood and poorer quality of life. Treatment with CBMPs reduced the prevalence and intensity of suicidal ideation.
