Compare the Best CBD for Suicide Prevention in 2022

How CBD May Help With Suicide Prevention

CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are phytocannabinoids found naturally in the resin of the cannabis plant. 

THC is known for its psychoactive effects. However, CBD may reverse the addictive- and anxiety-like behavior induced by THC⁽²⁾.  

CBD has purported anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) and antipsychotic properties⁽³⁾.

The National Institute of Mental Health indicated that in 2019, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming the lives of over 47,500 individuals⁽⁴⁾.  

Suicide is related to psychiatric disease, with depression, psychosis, and substance use disorders the most relevant factors⁽⁵⁾. However, anxiety and trauma-related disorders also contribute.

Aside from CBD’s potential health benefits, its activity in the ECS (endocannabinoid system) may explain how the compound may help with medical conditions linked to high suicide risks.  

The ECS is responsible for maintaining bodily homeostasis or balance. Both CBD and THC may interact with the ECS’ cannabinoid receptors, namely CB1 and CB2⁽⁶⁾.  

An elevated level of CB1 receptors is associated with suicide⁽⁷⁾. 

CBD does not appear to target CB1 receptors directly⁽⁸⁾. In addition, cannabidiol may act as an antagonist at CB1 receptors⁽⁹⁾. 

An antagonist binds to receptors without activating them. Instead, it decreases the ability of an agonist to activate receptors. 

A review from Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences indicated that the brain of suicide victims shows reduced serotonin levels⁽¹⁰⁾. 

CBD may interact with the serotonin receptors⁽¹¹⁾. Serotonin receptors are activated by serotonin⁽¹²⁾, a neurotransmitter implicated in mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety⁽¹³⁾. 

Although these findings seem promising, more research is warranted to further explain and demonstrate how CBD may help with suicide prevention. 

Benefits of Using CBD for Suicide Prevention

A study from Current Pharmaceutical Design suggested potential therapeutic effects of cannabidiol and rimonabant to help with emotional processing impairment in schizophrenia⁽¹⁴⁾. 

Rimonabant is a drug that acts as a selective antagonist at CB1 receptors. 

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder in which individuals have a distorted interpretation of reality. Contemporary research studies show that a lifetime suicide rate in people with schizophrenia is between 4% and 13%⁽¹⁵⁾. 

Meanwhile, CBD has shown promise as a novel agent to help with anxiety and mood disorders⁽¹⁶⁾. However, CBD’s exact molecular mechanism of action remains undetermined.

A study from Depression and Anxiety journal stated that over 70% of individuals reporting a lifetime account of suicide attempts had an anxiety disorder⁽¹⁷⁾. 

In addition, research suggested that SAD (social anxiety disorder) is linked to high rates of suicidal ideation⁽¹⁸⁾.

Suicidal ideation or suicidal thought is used to describe a wide range of contemplations, wishes, and preoccupations with suicide and death⁽¹⁹⁾. 

In a randomized controlled trial, researchers administered 600 mg of CBD and a placebo to patients with SAD⁽²⁰⁾. The participants who received CBD experienced significantly less social anxiety than those who had a placebo. 

The putative usefulness of CBD for mental health problems associated with high suicide risks is plausible considering the purported therapeutic benefits of CBD. 

Still, more research is recommended to determine the efficacy of using CBD to prevent suicide. 

How to Use CBD for Suicide Prevention 

Inhaling or smoking CBD using vape pens is the fastest way to benefit from the effects of the compound⁽²¹⁾. The onset time of CBD via the inhalation route is between 2 to 15 minutes⁽²²⁾. 

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC specifies that smokers are more likely to have depression than non-smokers⁽²³⁾. Suicide is associated with mental disorders, particularly depression⁽²⁴⁾.  

A study from Addictive Behaviors indicated that depression is a prominent risk factor for nicotine dependence over and above exposure to cigarettes⁽²⁵⁾. 

Nicotine, a primary agent in regular cigarettes and vape pens, is highly addictive⁽²⁶⁾. Therefore, individuals diagnosed with depression may want to use other delivery methods to try CBD for suicide prevention. 

The sublingual (under the tongue) delivery method also provides rapid effects without exposing the lungs to tar and heat⁽²⁷⁾.  

Oromucosal sprays, medicated lozenges, dissolvable strips, and tinctures are common sublingual products. 

With the sublingual route, the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) under the tongue and within the mouth can absorb cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, into the bloodstream before being swallowed⁽²⁸⁾.  

If you opt to take CBD sublingually, you will feel its effects within 15 to 30 minutes, and they may last for 2 to 4 hours⁽²⁹⁾. 

Still, it is best to talk with a doctor experienced in cannabis use to determine the suitable CBD delivery method for suicide prevention. 

CBD Dosage for Suicide Prevention 

A research article from the British Journal of Pharmacology suggested that CBD may induce antidepressant-like effects comparable with imipramine⁽³⁰⁾. 

Imipramine (Tofranil) is a tricyclic antidepressant to manage symptoms of depression. 

The authors of the study reported that CBD was only effective at 30mg per kilogram of body weight, with higher or smaller doses producing no effect⁽³¹⁾.

Still, it is worth noting that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not recognize CBD as a medication that can be used for suicide prevention.

For this reason, it is best to talk with a healthcare professional versed in cannabis use to determine the right CBD dosage for suicide prevention.  

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Suicide Prevention?

How long CBD takes to help with suicide prevention usually depends on several factors, including the delivery method and individual body weight. 

For instance, if you take CBD via the inhalation route, you will feel its effects within 2 to 15 minutes⁽³²⁾. However, vaping may damage your lungs⁽³³⁾.

On the other hand, the onset time of CBD via the sublingual route is between 15 and 30 minutes⁽³⁴⁾.    

How Long Will CBD Help With Suicide Prevention?

How long CBD’s effects will last after the compound starts to help depends on its bioavailability and half-life.

Bioavailability is the extent to which a particular substance becomes entirely available to its intended biological destinations. 

Meanwhile, half-life refers to the length of time required for a specific drug to reduce by 50% of its starting dose.

A review from Frontiers in Pharmacology reported that the half-life of CBD was between 1.4 and 10.9 hours following oromucosal spray and 31 hours after smoking⁽³⁵⁾.  

Meanwhile, the bioavailability of CBD after smoking is 31%⁽³⁶⁾. On the other hand, CBD’s bioavailability via the sublingual route is between 6% and 20%⁽³⁷⁾. 

What to Look for When Choosing CBD for Suicide Prevention

Various brands promise to offer the best CBD oil for suicide prevention. Below are a few pertinent factors to consider that may help you find high-quality CBD products for your overall wellness.

Hemp Extracts

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all compounds of the cannabis plant. This CBD variant also has less than 0.3% THC. 

Meanwhile, broad-spectrum CBD oil also contains all of the natural compounds of cannabis. However, this CBD variant is THC-free. Lastly, CBD isolates are made from pure CBD.

Source of Hemp 

It is vital to determine the source of hemp. Some CBD products may contain pesticides, heavy metals, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 

Thus, choose a CBD brand that provides sufficient information on the hemp used. If possible, go for organic hemp or non-GMO CBD products manufactured by reputable companies.

Legitimate producers grow hemp in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), state, and tribal plans and regulations.

Third-Party Lab Testing

A study from the journal Epilepsy and Behavior reported that labeling of commercially available CBD-infused products is often inaccurate⁽³⁸⁾. 

For this reason, consumers must verify whether a CBD brand enlists the services of a third-party laboratory to test all the company’s products and provide COAs (certificates of analysis). 

The COAs should be readily accessible on the brand’s official website. When all pertinent information is posted online, customers can compare the values specified on the laboratory report with the figures on the product label. 

Comparing reports allows consumers to verify a brand’s claims regarding the concentration, potency, and effects of CBD.

Types of CBD Products 

Most CBD-derived products available in the market are:

• CBD vapes 
• CBD oils, tinctures, and oromucosal sprays 
• Edibles like CBD gummies and capsules
• Topicals like CBD creams, salves, and lotions

The type of CBD products you choose will depend on your lifestyle preferences, specific conditions, and expected effects.

Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD for Suicide Prevention

Generally, commonly reported side effects of using CBD are the following⁽³⁹⁾:

• Drowsiness
• Low blood pressure
• Dry mouth 

Individuals with suicidal thoughts not considered a crisis situation may require outpatient treatment that includes medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety drugs⁽⁴⁰⁾. 

While generally considered safe, taking CBD with antipsychotics and antidepressants may increase fatigue, sleepiness, and accidental falls⁽⁴¹⁾. 

In addition, it is worth noting that CBD is a potent inhibitor of CYP2D6, an enzyme that metabolizes various antidepressants⁽⁴²⁾.

Cannabidiol may increase serum concentrations of antipsychotics and SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)⁽⁴³⁾. 

SSRIs are commonly prescribed antidepressants. 

Legality of CBD

Under federal law, cannabis (sometimes called marijuana) remains a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act⁽⁴⁴⁾. 

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration or DEA said that substances listed in the Schedule I drugs category have a high abuse potential with no accepted medical use⁽⁴⁵⁾. 

However, most states with medical marijuana laws have a patient registry to protect individuals against arrest for having a certain amount of cannabis-derived products for personal medicinal use⁽⁴⁶⁾. 

Colorado permits recreational and medical marijuana use. The local government decriminalized the use of marijuana by passing Amendment 64 to the Colorado Constitution in November 2012⁽⁴⁷⁾.

Meanwhile, in October 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill No. 45 into law⁽⁴⁸⁾. 

The bill allows the inclusion of hemp and cannabinoids, extracts, or hemp derivatives in dietary supplements, food and beverages, cosmetics, and processed pet food provided that they contain less than 0.3% THC⁽⁴⁹⁾.

In New York, adults 21 years and older can buy up to three ounces or 85g of cannabis flower and 24g of concentrated cannabis⁽⁵⁰⁾.

In Indiana, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Senate Enrolled Act No. 52 into law, allowing distribution and retail sale of “low-THC hemp extract”⁽⁵¹⁾. 

The Farm Bill indicates that Cannabis sativa L. and other derivatives of cannabis with less than 0.3% THC content on a dry weight basis are deemed legal under federal law⁽⁵²⁾.