Two patients with schizophrenia injured their own eyes while intoxicated on synthetic cannabis
Two patients with untreated schizophrenia presented with self-inflicted eye injuries after using the synthetic cannabinoid K2, both hallucinating that a bug was behind their eye.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Both patients had untreated schizophrenia and used K2 (synthetic cannabinoid). Each hallucinated a bug behind their eye and caused periocular soft tissue damage attempting to remove it. These are reported as the first cases of ocular self-injury from synthetic cannabinoid intoxication.
Key Numbers
2 patients; both with untreated schizophrenia; both intoxicated on K2; identical hallucination of bug behind eye; first reported cases of this type
How They Did This
Clinical case reports of two patients presenting to a single institution with ocular self-injury following synthetic cannabinoid (K2) use, both with pre-existing untreated schizophrenia.
Why This Research Matters
Synthetic cannabinoids carry significantly more serious psychiatric side effects than natural cannabis. These cases illustrate the potential for severe self-harm when synthetic cannabinoids interact with pre-existing psychotic disorders.
The Bigger Picture
Synthetic cannabinoids are full agonists at CB1 receptors and can be dramatically more potent than THC. Their interaction with pre-existing psychiatric conditions creates a high-risk scenario for severe neuropsychiatric toxicity and self-harm.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Only two cases reported. Both patients had pre-existing untreated schizophrenia, making it difficult to attribute effects solely to the drug. No toxicological confirmation of specific synthetic cannabinoid compound.
Questions This Raises
- ?How common is self-injury during synthetic cannabinoid intoxication?
- ?Does the combination of untreated psychosis and synthetic cannabinoids create a uniquely dangerous situation?
- ?Would natural cannabis have triggered similar events?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- First reported cases of ocular self-injury from synthetic cannabinoid intoxication
- Evidence Grade:
- Case report of only two patients, but documents a novel and clinically important adverse event.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021.
- Original Title:
- Synthetic cannabinoid induced ocular self-injury.
- Published In:
- Orbit (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 40(4), 326-328 (2021)
- Authors:
- Malik, Kunal, Kommana, Sumana, Paul, Joshua, Krakauer, Mark
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03314
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Were these patients using regular cannabis?
No. Both patients used K2, a synthetic cannabinoid that acts as a full agonist at CB1 receptors and is far more potent than THC in natural cannabis.
Did the patients have pre-existing mental health conditions?
Yes. Both had untreated schizophrenia, which likely contributed to the severity of their hallucinatory experience and subsequent self-injury.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03314APA
Malik, Kunal; Kommana, Sumana; Paul, Joshua; Krakauer, Mark. (2021). Synthetic cannabinoid induced ocular self-injury.. Orbit (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 40(4), 326-328. https://doi.org/10.1080/01676830.2020.1781199
MLA
Malik, Kunal, et al. "Synthetic cannabinoid induced ocular self-injury.." Orbit (Amsterdam, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/01676830.2020.1781199
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Synthetic cannabinoid induced ocular self-injury." RTHC-03314. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/malik-2021-synthetic-cannabinoid-induced-ocular
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.