Adolescents who use cannabis face increased risks for depression and suicidality in young adulthood, according to a meta-analysis in JAMA Psychiatry.
Researchers examined data from 11 prospective studies that assessed the association between any cannabis use at age 18 or younger and depression, anxiety, or suicidality at ages 18 through 32. After adjustment for depression and anxiety at baseline, those who used cannabis in adolescence were significantly more likely than those who didn’t use it to experience later depression (odds ratio, 1.4), suicidal ideation (OR, 1.5), and suicide attempts (OR, 3.5). Cannabis use was not significantly associated with anxiety.
The researchers cite data indicating that over 20% of U.S. teens report using cannabis in the past month. They conclude, “Although individual-level risk remains moderate to low … the high prevalence of adolescents consuming cannabis generates a large number of young people who could develop depression and suicidality attributable to cannabis. This is an important public health problem and concern.”
Read the article here.
Source: NEJM Journal Watch
