A study, published in the journal Archives of Suicide Research, has found that medicinal cannabis can help lower suicidal thoughts by over 25% after three months and decrease self-reported levels of depression by 42% after 12 months.
Researchers studied the relationship between patients seeking medical cannabis and suicidal thoughts, observing patients over a twelve-month period to assess if prescribed cannabis reduced or intensified suicidal thoughts over time, and to understand the impact of cannabis on depression in patients.
The study involved 3781 patients who were monitored over a year through data produced by self-reported standardised questionnaires. These questionnaires were completed by patients at the beginning of their treatment, at three months and at twelve months after starting cannabis treatment.
At three months, 2112 patients had data eligible to be included in the study. After 12 months 777 patients remained eligible.
Close to a quarter of the participants self-reported suicidal thoughts at the start of their treatment with cannabis medicines. Compared to the rest of the group, those in this sub-section were found to have higher levels of depression, had more problems with their sleep, had a lower level of general health and had a poorer quality of life.
The data showed that suicidal thoughts were reduced from 23.6% at the start of the trial, to 17.6% at the three-month stage, a reduction of 25.2%.
A larger reduction in levels of depression at the twelve-month stage was identified in the group who reported suicidal thoughts at the start of the trial, 42%, than those who didn’t, 37%.
“Twelve-month follow-up indicated a substantial reduction in depressed mood with this reduction being more pronounced in those reporting SI (mean (baseline) = 17.7 vs. mean (12 months) = 10.3) than in other patients (mean (baseline) = 11.1 vs. mean (12 months) = 7.0).” the study reported.
The study’s results clearly show a marked reduction in suicidal ideation (SI) and in levels of depression after patients had begun treatment with cannabis based medicinal products (CBMPs).
“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.” wrote the author.
The results of this study coincide with those from a previous study into US veterans, of which 16.8 a day (at the time of writing) were committing suicide. The study found cannabis to be instrumental in helping veterans improve their quality of life and reduce levels of suicide.
