O'Mahony, Brian and O'Malley, Andrew and Kerrigan, Olan and McDonald, Colm (2024) HHC-induced psychosis: a case series of psychotic illness triggered by a widely available semisynthetic cannabinoid. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Early online, pp. 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2024.3.
External website: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/irish-jour...
Use of both cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids has been regularly linked to the development of psychotic illness. Thus, semisynthetic cannabinoids such as hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), which have a similar neurobiological profile to delta-9-THC, may also be expected to lead to psychotic illness. However, no such relationship has yet been reported in scientific literature. HHC is readily available online and in many vape shops in Ireland. Here, we present two cases of psychotic illness which appear to have been precipitated by use of legally purchased HHC and discuss its psychotogenic role and factors linked to its current widespread availability.
B Substances > New (novel) psychoactive substances > Synthetic cannabinoids (Spice / K2 / OXIZID / HHC)
E Concepts in biomedical areas > Route of administration > Smoke, vape, inhalation
G Health and disease > Behavioural and mental health disorder (Psychosis / mood)
L Social psychology and related concepts > Legal availability or accessibility
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
Repository Staff Only: item control page