The Impact of Cannabis Abuse on Psychotic Symptoms and Their Severity among Cannabis Associated Psychosis Subjects: An Indian Experience
Ramchandra Lamba, Sona Budaniya, Rajendera Kumar Acharya, Ram Kumar Solanki, Ashok Kumar
Psychocentrum Review March 25, 2021 DOI: 10.26539/pcr.31577 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Male patients admitted at a tertiary care psychiatric center with diagnosis of cannabis-associated psychosis |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Psychosis Mood Cannabis dependence Schizophrenia object-oriented programming Hostility Substance abuse Clinical psychology Effects of cannabis |
| Key findings | Hostility and excitement were the most prevalent psychotic symptoms, and longer duration and earlier onset of cannabis abuse were associated with more severe psychosis. |
Abstract
Use of cannabis for recreational, religious and cultures has been prevalent since ancient times. It is one of the commonest used illicit substance. While not all cannabis users develop psychiatric problems, heavy cannabis use may increase the risk of cognitive abnormalities, psychotic illness and mood disorders. This research aimed to evaluate severity of various psychotic symptoms in relation to variables of cannabis abuse. A cross sectional study of 30 male patients admitted at tertiary care psychiatric center with diagnosis of cannabis-associated psychosis was carried out. Cannabis abuse variables along with psychotic symptoms severity on BPRS scale were obtained. Correlation between variables of cannabis abuse and psychotic symptoms and total BPRS score were derived using Pearson correlation 2- tailed test. Hostility (83%) and excitement (77%) were most prevalent symptoms with increased severity followed by elevated mood, grandiosity, suspiciousness and motor hyperactivity. Patients with long duration and early onset of cannabis abuse presented with more severe form of psychosis. Frequency of cannabis use was not significantly correlated with total BPRS score, although amount spent over cannabis was significantly associated with total BPRS score. Family history of cannabis abuse predicted early onset of cannabis abuse.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional study | n = 148 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 600 |
| Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... | 2012 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 337 |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Cannabis-related psychosis: Presentation and effect of abstinence. Indian Journal of Psychiatry October 2007
- The psychotomimetic effects of intravenous delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in healthy individuals: implications for psychosis. Neuropsychopharmacology August 2004
- Cannabis-associated psychosis with hypomanic features. The Lancet December 18, 1982
- Cannabis psychosis and paranoid schizophrenia. Archives of General Psychiatry March 1, 1976