In the last few years, a proliferation of hemp offerings has poured into smoke shops and e-commerce sites. This is thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. Over time, cultivators and chemists figured out how to make legal hemp intoxicating by synthesizing it out of CBD, for one. Now, companies have become imaginative in their product lines. People can buy everything from non-alcoholic margarita dupes to sleep-inducing pop rocks only a few clicks away.
RELATED: Hurricane Helene rebuilding efforts gain unique cannabis ally
The most prolific products these days contain delta-9 THC. In the early days, there was a parade of new cannabinoids entering the scene. Delta-8 was one of the first, offering a high without actually being the illegal delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. It occurs naturally in small amounts in the cannabis plant. Many skeptics spoke about how little is known about how the compound might impact the mind and body.
A recently published research paper indicates that delta-8 may trigger psychosis and mania in those predisposed to these episodes. It was authored by doctors in Nebraska and Iowa and is limited by its scope, despite raising important points.
Case One
The first presented patient is a 32-year-old woman who worked at a delta-8 shop during the height of its popularity. She began having difficulty sleeping, experiencing extreme paranoia, and hearing voices through her vents, discouraging her from getting help. This patient had experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, self-harming behaviors, and a drug overdose.
Case one went to the ER disorganized, anxious, paranoid, and hyperactive before spending almost two weeks in the hospital. She had lost her job due to her delta-8 struggles. Her symptoms had resolved at her follow-up appointment, and she compared the experience to her lifelong drug use.
“To ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, clinicians should obtain a thorough patient history to confirm Δ8-THC use before initiating treatment,” the study reads.
Case Two
The following two patients were male and in their 20s. Case two was brought to the ER by a cousin after randomly showing up at their house in a new city. He did not remember traveling there. He was confused and detached.
“In recent months, he began using legally procured Δ8-THC gummies from a CBD store to manage anxiety and depression, believing them to be a safe and legal alternative to marijuana,” the study reads.
This patient recovered from his withdrawn state to baseline functioning after 11 days of in-patient treatment. He returned to his hometown, but researchers could not locate him for a follow-up.
RELATED: Breakthrough cannabis therapy could relieve global threat
Case Three
The final case centered on a 21-year-old who had no psychiatric history. He had been smoking delta-8 flower, AK47 purchased online, specifically, and drinking alcohol. His family shared that he was found on a bridge, believing he could fly. After going missing for a few days, people located him swimming in the river. This erratic behavior caused his aunt to bring him in.
He stayed erratic during his hospital stay, with grandiose delusions often centering on Buddhism. Figuring out his outpatient treatment proved difficult, and he relapsed after two weeks before re-adjusting his medications. He has not required further treatment.
Delta-8 psychosis connection possible
This deeper look at a few cases indicates that the cannabinoid might need a deeper look. It takes a larger data set and various protocols to ensure the outcome is systemic and not a one-off. While this is not a conclusive study, it is proof that those with predisposed psychiatric conditions should be discerning when shopping for cannabinoids. This becomes especially important for those diagnosing manic-presenting patients in the emergency room.
“To ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, clinicians should obtain a thorough patient history to confirm Δ8-THC use before initiating treatment,” the study concluded.
