New insight in psychotic cannabis withdrawal: case series and brief overview
Valerio Ricci, Domenico de Berardis, Giovanni Martinotti, Giuseppe Maina
Rivista di psichiatria November 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1708/4386.43840 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 4 |
| Population | Patients referred to a mental health department with psychosis after cannabis withdrawal |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Series stratigraphy |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Abrupt cannabis withdrawal may precipitate psychotic symptoms in vulnerable individuals. |
Abstract
Background: Cannabis is the most used recreational drug worldwide. Its use can increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders and exacerbate their course. However, little is known about the relationship between psychosis and withdrawal and the literature is still scarce. CASE PRESENTATION: In this study, based on an analysis of 4 patients referred to our mental health department and evaluated between 2019 and 2023, we describe psychotic features emerged after abrupt cannabis withdrawal and we attempt to explore its characteristics.
Conclusion: Although it is difficult to show specific mechanisms underlying the psychopathological alterations in cannabis withdrawal induced psychosis, it is clear that this serious clinical picture could be a risk factor for precipitating psychosis especially in a vulnerable group of patients. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of a higher risk of psychotic onset associated not only with chronic cannabis use but also with its abrupt cessation.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychotic Reactions Following Cannabis Use in East Indians Patients at an Indian drug addiction clinic who developed acute cannabis-related psychosis | 1974 | Descriptive report (case series of clinical observations) | n = 200 |
| Psychiatric effects of cannabis use Swedish cases of cannabis psychosis | 1985 | Case series | n = 70 |
| Forty-Six Cases of Psychosis in Cannabis Abusers Gunila Bernhardson Habitual cannabis users treated for psychosis at Swedish psychiatric clinics and mental... | 1972 | Case series (retrospective survey of psychiatric records) | n = 46 |
| Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder after psilocybin consumption: a case study 18-year-old man with HPPD after mixed psilocybin and cannabis intoxication | 2005 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Cannabis‐induced Koro in Americans American men aged 22-26 with years of cannabis experience who reported negative... | 2001 | Case series | n = 3 |