Consumo de cannabis, adolescencia y suicidio

Abstract

Although previous studies have found associations between cannabis use and suicidal conduct in adult and in adolescent populations, these associations are hampered by several confounding factors that are largely unaddressed by researchers and might explain such associations to a great extent. It is improbable that cannabis use is a direct causal factor of consumed suicide. Cannabis use may, however, act as an indirect causal factor of suicide by generating or favoring other situations (for instance, the use of other addictive substances or the appearance of psychiatric or physical morbidity) that directly increase suicide risk. Specifically, exposure to cannabis among subjects with some sort of neurobiological alteration in the endocannabinoid system could predispose these individuals to the use of other addictive substances (such as alcohol) or the development of psychiatric pathology (psychotic or affective) that would increase the risk of suicide. Further studies, particularly prospective ones, are therefore needed to clarify whether there is indeed an association and if there are indications of causality.