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Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
Does cannabis use lead to depression and suicidal behaviours? A population-based longitudinal study
1Department of Sociology and Human Geography, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. willy.pedersen@sosiologi.uio.no
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|September 19, 2008
Summary
Cannabis use in young adults is linked to increased suicide attempts and ideation, but not depression. This longitudinal study followed young Norwegians for 13 years, finding significant associations in their twenties.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Adolescent cannabis use is a public health concern.
- Understanding the long-term mental health consequences is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal relationship between cannabis use and depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts.
- To examine these associations in a Norwegian youth cohort over 13 years.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 2033 Norwegians from early teens to late twenties.
- Data collection on cannabis exposure, depression, suicidal ideation, and attempts.
- Inclusion of confounding factors for adjusted analysis.
Main Results:
- No association between early adolescent cannabis use and later depression or suicidal behaviors.
- Significant associations observed in the twenties between cannabis use and suicide ideation/attempts.
- Adjusted odds ratio of 2.9 for suicide attempts in those using cannabis 11+ times.
Conclusions:
- Cannabis exposure alone does not appear to cause depression.
- Cannabis use is associated with increased risk of later suicidal thoughts and attempts in young adulthood.
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