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Cannabis use and first onset Schizophrenia-like psychosis after traumatic brain injury in a patient with intracranial bullet

M. Ergelen, M. Yalçın, Fikret Ferzan Gıynaş, Samet Kurnaz, N. G. Usta Sağlam

Journal of Substance Use February 7, 2023 DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2023.2173091 (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 middle-aged female patient with traumatic brain injury from a gunshot wound who developed cannabis use disorder and psychosis
Topics Cannabis
Key findings A middle-aged woman developed psychotic symptoms within two months of starting cannabis to relieve anxiety six months after a traumatic brain injury from a gunshot wound. The authors report her admission, detoxification, and recovery in an inpatient addiction unit, and argue that post-injury psychosis may develop earlier than expected when cannabis use disorder is present, so patients need follow-up for neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Cannabis use disorder and psychosis are rare but serious comorbidities seen after TBI. Recent studies indicate that the use of cannabis for self-medication may increase after TBI. Schizophrenia-like psychosis (SLP) is also seen, generally showing a late and gradual onset after TBI. Especially in case of cannabis use disorder, post-TBI psychosis may develop earlier than expected and cause difficulties in terms of diagnosis. In this report, a middle-aged female patient started using cannabis to relieve her anxiety symptoms, six months after a TBI secondary to gunshot wounding, and developed psychotic symptoms within two months. We document her admission, detoxification and recovery during an inpatient stay in the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Research, Treatment and Education Center (AMATEM) inpatient unit. We aim to emphasize the importance of follow-up of patients after TBI in terms of neuropsychiatric symptoms and initiation of symptomatic treatment.

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
A Case of Butane Hash Oil (Marijuana Wax)–Induced Psychosis A 34-year-old male veteran 2016 Case study n = 1

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