Cannabis Psychosis and Cannabis Intoxication: An Overview
Cannabis is a widely consumed recreational drug. Its popularity is increasing in many countries due to its psychoactive properties. Although it is generally considered to be safe, long-term use of cannabis may have adverse effects. In particular, cannabis use has been associated with the development of psychosis and intoxication. This article will provide an overview of cannabis psychosis and intoxication, including epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options.
Epidemiology
Cannabis is the most commonly used recreational drug worldwide, with an estimated 183 million users in 2018 (UN Office on Drugs and Crime, 2018). It is particularly popular among adolescents and young adults, although its use is increasing in other age groups as well. The prevalence of cannabis psychosis (CP) and cannabis intoxication (CI) varies widely across countries and regions.
In Europe, the prevalence of CP and CI is estimated to be 0.3-1.5% and 4-14%, respectively (Kuepper et al., 2011). In the United States, the prevalence of CP is estimated to be 0.5-1.2%, while the prevalence of CI is estimated to be 1-3% (Kessler et al., 2005; Volkow et al., 2016).
Clinical Features
Cannabis psychosis is a form of psychosis that is caused by the use of cannabis. It is characterized by positive symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, as well as negative symptoms such as apathy and social withdrawal. In addition, CP is often accompanied by cognitive deficits, such as impaired memory, attention, and executive functioning.
Cannabis intoxication is a state of altered consciousness caused by the acute effects of cannabis. It is characterized by a range of physical, psychological, and cognitive effects, such as euphoria, relaxation, altered perception of time and space, and increased appetite. It can also lead to impaired motor coordination, altered judgment, drowsiness, and confusion.
Treatment
The treatment of CP and CI depends on the severity of the symptoms and the individual’s history of cannabis use. In mild cases, supportive care and psychosocial interventions are often sufficient. In more severe cases, antipsychotic medications and cognitive behavioral therapy may be necessary. In cases of CI, supportive care and monitoring are generally sufficient.
Conclusion
Cannabis is a widely consumed recreational drug that can have adverse effects, including psychosis and intoxication. The prevalence of CP and CI varies widely across countries and regions, and the clinical features and treatment options vary depending on the severity of the symptoms and the individual’s history of cannabis use.
References
Kessler, R.C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K.R., and Walters, E.E. (2005). Lifetime Prevalence and Age-of-Onset Distributions of DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593-602.
Kuepper, R., van Os, J., Lieb, R., Wittchen, H.U., and Höfler, M. (2011). Continued cannabis use and risk of incidence and persistence of psychotic symptoms: 10 year follow-up cohort study. British Medical Journal, 342, d738.
UN Office on Drugs and Crime (2018). World Drug Report 2018. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/wdr2018/
Volkow, N.D., Compton, W.M., & Weiss, S.R. (2016). Adverse health effects of marijuana use. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(10), 952-962.