SYNTHETIC CANNABIS OVERDOSE AND WITHDRAWAL IN A YOUNG ADULT: A CASE-REPORT AND COMMENTARY ON REGULATION
John Samaan
Journal of Addiction and Dependence 2017 DOI: 10.15436/2471-061x-17-1041 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A young adult patient with histories of recurrent synthetic cannabis and recreational cannabis use |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | The authors report that a young adult with recurrent synthetic cannabis and recreational cannabis use developed drastic physiological and psychiatric symptoms, including acute-onset psychosis. They argue that synthetic cannabinoid use and abuse in adolescents warrants stricter regulations and policies to decrease psychiatric hospital admissions and associated healthcare costs. |
Abstract
Background/Introduction: Marijuana has been used for its psychotropic effects including enhanced relaxation and perceptual alterations. However, the use of synthetic cannabis (marijuana) leads to more frequent and drastic side effects than the typical use of regular marijuana, owing to the fact that synthetic cannabis has a shorter duration and an earlier peak of action. Despite all the potential adverse health effects associated with synthetic cannabis use, current health policies on synthetic cannabis are very limited. It is believed that the popularity of synthetic cannabis has increased, due to its easy accessibility in the US and the lack of detection in typical urine drug screens for Tetrahydrocannabinol derivatives (THC).Case Report: One case is presented of a young adult patient, with histories of recurrent synthetic cannabis and recreational cannabis use, who had developed drastic physiological and psychiatric symptoms, including the development of acute-onset psychosis.Conclusion/Discussion: This case, as many others nationwide, exemplifies the impact of synthetic cannabinoid use and abuse in adolescents. Side effects and adverse health consequences of synthetic cannabinoid use warrants stricter regulations and policies in order to decrease psychiatric hospital admissions and associated healthcare costs.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Here today, gone tomorrow…and back again? A review of herbal marijuana alternatives (K2, Spice), synthetic cathinones (bath salts), kratom, Salvia divinorum, methoxetamine, and piperazines. Journal of Medical Toxicology March 1, 2012
- Spicing things up: synthetic cannabinoids. Psychopharmacology July 9, 2013
- The dose effects of short-term dronabinol (oral THC) maintenance in daily cannabis users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence February 1, 2013