Suicidal Ideation Induced by Episodic Cannabis Use

Abstract

The report describes a patient who presented suicidal ideation only in two different occasions, immediately after acute cannabis intoxication. He used cannabis only in these two circumstances. Although a definite association between cannabis use and suicidal ideation or behavior has been already reported in the literature, the described case presents two original clinical aspects that deserve consideration. First, episodic assumption of cannabis induced suicidal ideation abruptly. Second, suicidal ideation appeared independent of mood depression, stressors, or life events, suggesting that suicidality may be not a direct consequence of depression and appears to be a relatively independent psychopathological dimension. There seems to be no linear relation between the severity of depression and the risk of suicide.

The relationship between anger control, suicide behavior and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among outpatients with cannabis use

“…In a study investigating the relationship between suicidal behavior and cannabis use, it is stated that the use of acute cannabis may trigger suicidal thoughts. 24 Nevertheless, in a metaanalysis, suicide behavior has been reported to be more frequent especially in chronic cannabis use. 25 Also in a case-control study, the rate of severe suicide attempt was found significantly higher in individuals with cannabis use than those who did not use cannabis.…”

Akute psychiatrische Störungsbilder und medizinische Notfälle im Zusammenhang mit dem Gebrauch von Cannabinoiden

“…In den entsprechenden Studien wurde jedoch meist der chronische Cannabinoidkonsum untersucht, sodass zum Zusammenhang zwischen akutem Konsum von Cannabinoiden und Suizidalität/selbstverletzendem Verhalten gegenwärtig keine sicheren Aussagen möglich sind. Es existieren jedoch entsprechende Fallberichte 47 und in einer Studie aus Kanada wurde ein Zusammenhang zwischen dem Konsum von Cannabis in den letzten 30 Tagen und suizidalem Denken gefunden 48 . (Die gegenwärtige Evidenz legt nahe, dass sowohl Cannabinoidintoxikationen als auch chronischer Cannabinoidkonsum das Risiko für Suizidalität und selbstverletzendes Verhalten erhöhen.)…”