Psychosis associated with cannabis withdrawal: systematic review and case series

Background: Abrupt cessation of heavy cannabis use can cause a withdrawal syndrome characterised by irritability, anxiety, insomnia, reduced appetite and restlessness. Recent reports have also described people in whom cannabis withdrawal immediately preceded the acute onset of psychosis.

Aims: To identify cases of psychosis associated with cannabis withdrawal.

Method: We completed a systematic review of the literature, which comprised case reports, case series and other studies. We also searched a large electronic database of psychiatric healthcare records.

Results: The systematic review identified 44 individuals from 21 studies in whom cannabis withdrawal preceded the development of acute psychosis. In the health record study, we identified another 68 people, of whom 47 involved a first episode of psychosis and 21 represented further episodes of an existing psychotic disorder. Almost all people were daily cannabis users who had stopped using cannabis abruptly. Individuals who continued to use cannabis after the acute psychotic episode had a much higher risk of subsequent relapse than those who abstained (odds ratio 13.9 [95% CI: 4.1 to 56.9]; χ2 = 20.1, P < 0.00001).

Conclusions: Abrupt cannabis withdrawal may act as a trigger for the first episode of psychosis and a relapse of an existing psychosis. Acute psychotic symptoms can emerge after the cessation, as well as following the use, of cannabis.