A case report and literature review explores whether chronic cannabis use can cause syncope (fainting) through excessive vagal nerve activation.
Emergency physicians, cardiologists, primary care providers, and chronic cannabis users.
Rare adverse eventSyncope from chronic cannabis use proposed to occur via hypervagotonia (excessive vagal activation)
What the researchers found
The case report describes syncope in a chronic cannabis user, with the proposed mechanism being hypervagotonia (excessive vagal nerve activation), adding to rare but documented cases of cardiovascular effects from chronic cannabis use.
Why it matters
While cannabis cardiovascular effects are typically considered mild, rare adverse events like syncope need documentation to inform clinical awareness, especially as cannabis use increases among young people.
The numbers in context
Case report with literature review documenting cannabis-associated syncope, with focus on hypervagotonia as the proposed mechanism.
How the study worked
Case report with accompanying literature review of cannabis-associated syncope and cardiovascular effects.
Who was studied
Single patient with chronic cannabis use presenting with syncope.
What this study cannot tell us
Single case report cannot establish causation; other causes of syncope may not have been fully excluded; literature review is not systematic.
How to read the evidence
Single case report with literature review; lowest level of clinical evidence but important for awareness.
When this study was published
Recent case report reflecting growing attention to rare cannabis adverse events.
The bigger picture
As cannabis use increases globally, rare adverse cardiovascular events need documentation so clinicians consider cannabis in differential diagnosis of unexplained syncope, particularly in young patients.
Replication
Case report adds to sparse literature on cannabis-associated syncope; systematic epidemiological data needed.
Funding
Not specified
Conflicts of interest
Not specified
Questions still open
- How common is cannabis-related syncope?
- Does the route of cannabis administration affect cardiovascular risk?
- Could cannabinoid receptor effects on the vagus nerve explain the mechanism?
Read the original research
Syncope and Cannabis: hypervagotonia from chronic abuse? A case report and literature review.
BMC cardiovascular disorders, 23(1), 518
Citation
Licciardi, Marco; Utzeri, Elena; Marchetti, Maria Francesca; Nissardi, Vincenzo; Cecchetto, Giovanni; Montisci, Massimo; Montisci, Roberta. (2023). Syncope and Cannabis: hypervagotonia from chronic abuse? A case report and literature review.. BMC cardiovascular disorders, 23(1), 518. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-023-03566-4