humulene and Panic-Disorder

Cannabis and THC exert manifold actions on a number of organ systems. A lethal dose of THC in humans is unknown. Above the psychotropic threshold, ingestion of cannabis causes an enhanced well-being and relaxation with an intensification of ordinary sensory experiences. The most important unwanted acute psychical effects are anxiety and panic attacks. Acute somatic effects are increased heart rate, changes of blood pressure, conjunctival injection and dry mouth. Properties that might be used therapeutically comprise analgesia, muscle relaxation, sedation, increase of mood, stimulation of appetite, antiemesis, lowering of intraoccular pressure and bronchodilation. Chronic use may lead to dependency and to a mild withdrawal syndrome. The extent of possible long-term damage on psyche and cognition, immune system, fertility and pregnancy remains controversial. Marijuana can induce a schizophrenic psychosis in vulnerable persons presumably without increasing the incidence of the disease. Disturbance of immunological and hormonal functions and long-term impairment of memory, attention, and complex cognitive processes are low and do not preclude a legitimate therapeutic use.

Topics: Analgesia; Anxiety; Blood Pressure; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Female; Fertility; Heart Rate; Humans; Neuromuscular Agents; Panic Disorder; Phytotherapy; Pregnancy; Psychotropic Drugs

We assessed the heterogeneous development of self-reported social anxiety symptoms across childhood and adolescence (ages 10 to 18; N = 701) and examined whether these groups predicted clinically derived diagnoses of social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), depressive episodes, panic disorder (PD), agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance use in adulthood (ages 19 to 22).. Three distinct social anxiety symptom trajectories were found: a high increasing group (15.5%), a moderate group (37.3%), and a low group (47.2%). The high increasing and moderate trajectory groups were differentiated from the low trajectory group on the adult mental disorders examined: SAD (high OR = 15.74; moderate OR = 11.72), GAD (high OR = 13.08; moderate OR = 8.98), depressive episode (high OR = 19.75), PD (high OR = 8.43; moderate OR = 5.90), agoraphobia (high OR = 16.39; moderate OR = 9.68), and OCD (high OR = 3.49; moderate OR = 2.98). The high and moderate groups were not differentiated on SAD, GAD, PD, or OCD but were differentiated on depressive episodes (OR = 3.24). Relative to the low and moderate trajectory groups, the high increasing social anxiety symptoms trajectory group also predicted cannabis use, but not alcohol use in adulthood. Gender, ethnicity, household income, and parental education were accounted for when predicting adult outcomes.. These results highlight the importance of early treatment of symptoms of childhood social anxiety in the prevention of mental health problems in adulthood.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Agoraphobia; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Cannabis; Child; Humans; Panic Disorder; Young Adult

Little research effort has so far been dedicated to the analysis of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of aetiologically differing subgroups of patients with panic disorder (PD). The current study aimed at a deeper understanding of the cortisol stress response in cannabis-induced PD (CIPD) patients.. Matched groups of 7 PD patients (mean age ± SD: 32.95 ± 9.04 years), 7 CIPD patients (31.94 ± 8.40 years), and 7 healthy controls (HC) (31.13 ± 8.57 years) were included in the study. The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) was used for stress induction. Salivary cortisol samples were collected and panic- and depression-related questionnaires were applied.. A stress response to the TSST was found in 28.6% of PD patients, in 51.1% of CIPD patients, and in 100% of HC subjects. Statistical analyses revealed a cortisol hyporesponsiveness in PD and CIPD patients. While cortisol values of PD patients and HC participants differed significantly, CIPD patients' cortisol courses balanced between those of PD patients and HC subjects.. Current findings show a distinctive pattern of the stress-induced cortisol reaction in CIPD patients, which is markedly different from the hormonal response in PD patients as well as HC subjects. Previous findings of cortisol hyporesponsiveness in PD patients compared to HC subjects were confirmed.

Topics: Adult; Cannabis; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Male; Panic Disorder; Saliva; Stress, Psychological; Substance-Related Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires

In the eastern Iran including Birjand and Greater Khorasan areas, a special traditional solid pie, locally called Majoon Birjandi (MB), is frequently abused by youngsters to induce a feel of high, special, euphoria, and energy. Cannabioid ingredients of this illicit solid lozenge are confirmed by clinical findings as well as positive urinary delta-q-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) test. Because of its solid nature, it is easily smuggled and stored for a long time. Due to its localized usage in the eastern Iran, diagnosis of MB abuse is not known to toxicologists even from other parts of this country. We would like to bring to the attention of the readers the effects and cannabioid composition of this concoction and present the potential recreational ingestion root of processed cannabis for the first time.

Topics: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Cannabis; Cognition Disorders; Drug Overdose; Eating; Hallucinations; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Iran; Panic Disorder

The present investigation evaluated lifetime associations between cannabis use, abuse, and dependence and panic attacks after controlling for alcohol abuse, polysubstance use, and demographic variables.. Data for this study were obtained as part of a large statewide survey, the Colorado Social Health Survey (CSHS). Participants were contacted using randomly sampled household addresses (72% response rate) and interviews took place in participants' homes. Participants consisted of a representative sample from the Colorado general adult population (n=4745; 52% female). The Diagnostic Interview Schedule was administered to obtain diagnoses.. After controlling for polysubstance use, alcohol abuse, and demographic variables, lifetime history of cannabis dependence, but not use or abuse, was significantly related to an increased risk of panic attacks. Additionally, among participants reporting a lifetime history of both panic attacks and cannabis use, the age of onset of panic attacks (M=19.0 years of age) was significantly earlier than for individuals with a lifetime panic attack history but no cannabis use (M=27.6 years of age).. Structured interview data suggest lifetime cannabis dependence is significantly associated with an increased risk of panic attacks.

Topics: Adult; Age of Onset; Cannabis; Comorbidity; Confidence Intervals; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Male; Marijuana Abuse; Middle Aged; Panic Disorder; Prevalence; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adolescent; Cannabis; Humans; Male; Panic Disorder

Topics: Adult; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Drug Overdose; Female; Food Contamination; Hallucinations; Humans; Male; Marijuana Abuse; Middle Aged; Panic Disorder; Poisoning