Comparative examination of the differences between cannabis psychosis and methamphetamine psychosis in a psychological state
A. Oda
European Psychiatry April 1, 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1751 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Cannabis psychosis features megalomania and a pseudo-enlightenment experience of supernatural existence, leading to repeated abuse and social withdrawal, unlike methamphetamine psychosis which involves auditory hallucinations and paranoia that resolve with treatment. |
Abstract
BackgroundWith the rapid and intensive spread of marihuana abuse among youth, Japanese society is focusing on law enforcement against drug abusers. In 2016, a mass killing allegedly committed by a marihuana abuser was reported in Japan.ObjectivesTo consider that common recognition of the diverse process and potential risks of cannabis psychosis should be shared among psychiatrists.AimsElicit differences between cannabis psychosis and methamphetamine psychosis, and determine whether specific guidelines for treatment of cannabis psychosis are required.MethodIntensive retrospective review of distinctive methamphetamine and cannabis psychosis through case studies in our hospital.ResultMajor symptoms of methamphetamine psychosis include auditory hallucination and paranoia, however recovery is achieved soon after undertaking treatment. In cannabis psychosis, distinctive features are megalomania and by a pseud-enlightenment experience of supernatural existence, abusers stick to an unrealistic self-estimate of omnipotent, which leads them to refuse the fading away of this feeling and repeat abuse.ConclusionPsychological substances have strong suggestibility so abusers’ symptoms are easily modified by their mental state. Involvement of syndicate or perception of illegality reflects abusers’ drastic symptoms, but after dehospitalisation, recurrences are relatively fewer. Cannabis, however, grows wild and is admitted legally in some countries, so abusers lack awareness of guilt by mistaken perception of omnipotence and unrealistic optimism. Due to addiction and depersonalization, they rather enjoy gaining contact with supernatural power and fall into social withdrawal and are implicated to social problems. Considering the difficulty of rehabilitating and returning abusers to the community, we should not disregard the risks of cannabis abuse.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| “Hallucinations” Following Acute Cannabis Dosing: A Case Report and Comparison to Other Hallucinogenic Drugs Healthy 30-year-old male | 2018 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder: A literature review and three case reports Patients with hallucinogen persisting perception disorder | 2018 | Case series | n = 3 |
| Cannabis Psychosis in Young Psychiatric Inpatients Consecutive psychiatric hospital admissions of patients aged 35 and under | 1986 | Case study | n = 25 |