Unusual persistent tactile hallucinations in three adolescent patients after minimal cannabis use
Valerio Ricci, Domenico de Berardis, Thomas Fraccalini, Giuseppe Maina
Minerva Psychiatry 2025 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-6612.24.02566-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3 |
| Population | Adolescents aged 13 to 15 who used cannabis minimally |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Three adolescents aged 13 to 15 reported persistent tactile hallucinations, such as crawling or pinprick sensations, after minimal cannabis use, with no medical or neurological abnormalities and negative urine tests for cannabis and other substances. The authors suggest this may represent a distinctive phenomenon potentially linked to synthetic cannabinoids with higher THC concentrations, lacking the psychosis or withdrawal symptoms typical of cannabis-induced psychosis. |
Abstract
Cannabis misuse among adolescents has become a significant concern, with implications for mental health. While the association between cannabis and psychosis has been extensively studied, less attention has been paid to its potential impact on sensory perception. This study aims to explore persistent tactile hallucinations in adolescents following minimal cannabis use, contributing to a deeper understanding of cannabis-related effects on mental health and sensory perception. Three adolescents (aged from 13 to 15) presented persistent tactile hallucinations after minimal cannabis use. Medical evaluations, including imaging and neurological assessments, were conducted to rule out underlying medical or neurological conditions. All three adolescents reported persistent tactile hallucinations, such as sensations of insects crawling or pinpricks on their skin, following minimal cannabis use. Medical examinations revealed no abnormalities, and urine tests were negative for cannabis and other substances. These cases highlight a unique phenomenon of persistent tactile hallucinations postcannabis use, devoid of observable medical or neurological abnormalities. Unlike typical cannabis-induced psychosis, these cases lacked definitive psychosis or withdrawal symptoms. This suggests a distinctive manifestation potentially linked to synthetic cannabinoids with higher THC concentrations. This study emphasizes the importance of investigating unusual postcannabis use phenomena in adolescents, urging comprehensive evaluation beyond standard psychiatric assessments. Further research is crucial to enhance our understanding of cannabis-related effects on sensory perception and inform clinical care.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychotic Reactions Following Cannabis Use in East Indians Patients at an Indian drug addiction clinic who developed acute cannabis-related psychosis | 1974 | Descriptive report (case series of clinical observations) | n = 200 |
| Psychiatric effects of cannabis use Swedish cases of cannabis psychosis | 1985 | Case series | n = 70 |
| Forty-Six Cases of Psychosis in Cannabis Abusers Gunila Bernhardson Habitual cannabis users treated for psychosis at Swedish psychiatric clinics and mental... | 1972 | Case series (retrospective survey of psychiatric records) | n = 46 |
| 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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- Association between cannabis use and symptom dimensions in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: an individual participant data meta-analysis on 3053 individuals EClinicalMedicine September 8, 2023
- A systematic evidence map of the association between cannabis use and psychosis-related outcomes across the psychosis continuum: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Psychiatry Research November 1, 2023
- Cannabis induced psychosis: a systematic review on the role of genetic polymorphisms. Pharmacological Research May 1, 2022
- The contribution of cannabis use to variation in the incidence of psychotic disorder across Europe (EU-GEI): a multicentre case-control study The Lancet Psychiatry May 1, 2019
- Synthetic cannabinoids: epidemiology, pharmacodynamics, and clinical implications. Drug and Alcohol Dependence November 1, 2014
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