Cannabis Users Leave Epilepsy Monitoring Units Sooner With More Events Captured
Cannabis-using patients admitted to epilepsy monitoring units had nearly one day shorter stays and 18% higher event capture rates, but also significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and histories of abuse.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis use was associated with 0.9-day shorter length of stay and 18.1% higher event capture rate in the EMU, alongside significantly higher rates of psychosocial comorbidities: 12.6% physical abuse, 11.1% sexual abuse, 10.2% mental abuse, 18.9% higher MDD rates, and 22.1% higher GAD rates.
Key Numbers
Cannabis users: -0.9 days LOS; +18.1% event capture; 12.6% physical abuse; 11.1% sexual abuse; 10.2% mental abuse; +18.9% MDD; +22.1% GAD vs. non-users
How They Did This
Retrospective chart review using a REDCap database comparing cannabis users (self-reported or positive urine test) to non-users on EMU outcomes including length of stay, event capture, and psychosocial/psychiatric comorbidities.
Why This Research Matters
For epilepsy teams, knowing that cannabis users have shorter stays and more events but complex psychosocial profiles helps tailor monitoring approaches and post-discharge care.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabis use in epilepsy patients exists within a complex context of psychosocial vulnerability, and holistic approaches to epilepsy care must address both seizure management and underlying mental health needs.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective single-center design; cannabis use defined broadly (self-report or positive urine); cannot determine if cannabis caused shorter LOS or if confounders explain the association; selection bias; urine testing not universal.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does cannabis withdrawal during EMU stays trigger more events, explaining higher capture rates?
- ?Would allowing cannabis use during monitoring change outcomes?
- ?Are psychosocial comorbidities driving both cannabis use and seizure patterns?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Retrospective single-center study providing interesting associations but with significant confounding potential and limited ability to determine causality.
- Study Age:
- Published 2026; reflects current EMU practice.
- Original Title:
- Influence of cannabis use on length of stay in patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit.
- Published In:
- Epilepsy & behavior reports, 33, 100846 (2026)
- Authors:
- Hoerth, Oliver, Aniles-Renova, Ejerzain, Zhang, Nan(2), Thompson, Emily, Kirlin, Kristin A, Drazkowski, Joseph
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08337
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis use affect epilepsy monitoring?
Cannabis users had shorter stays (by nearly 1 day) and 18% higher event capture rates in epilepsy monitoring units — possibly because cannabis withdrawal during hospitalization may trigger more seizure events.
Are epilepsy patients who use cannabis different from those who don't?
Yes — cannabis users in this study had significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and histories of physical, sexual, and mental abuse, suggesting cannabis use in epilepsy occurs within a context of greater psychosocial vulnerability.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08337APA
Hoerth, Oliver; Aniles-Renova, Ejerzain; Zhang, Nan; Thompson, Emily; Kirlin, Kristin A; Drazkowski, Joseph. (2026). Influence of cannabis use on length of stay in patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit.. Epilepsy & behavior reports, 33, 100846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100846
MLA
Hoerth, Oliver, et al. "Influence of cannabis use on length of stay in patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit.." Epilepsy & behavior reports, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100846
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Influence of cannabis use on length of stay in patients admi..." RTHC-08337. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/hoerth-2026-influence-of-cannabis-use
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.