ER Overload In Michigan: Cannabis-Induced Anxiety Disorder On The Rise, Study Finds

The legalization of marijuana in Michigan has led to increased cannabis use and, subsequently, an increase in emergency department visits, according to new research. 

The study, published in Cureus, showed that cannabis-induced anxiety occurs in 17.3% of patients presenting with acute cannabis toxicity.

Methods: The researchers looked at the medical records of patients who visited seven emergency departments in Michigan over a two-year period and were diagnosed with acute toxicity from using cannabis.

They gathered data on the patient's age, gender, symptoms, and treatment outcomes, and compared those who had cannabis-induced anxiety disorder to those with other types of cannabis toxicity.

"A total of 196 patients (17.3%) had a chief complaint of anxiety, and 939 (82.7%) experienced other forms of acute cannabis toxicity, predominantly symptoms of intoxication or cannabis hyperemesis syndrome. Patients with anxiety symptoms had panic attacks (11.7%), aggression or manic behavior (9.2%), and hallucinations (6.1%)," according to the study's results.

Patients who had anxiety as a result of cannabis toxicity were more likely to be younger, have consumed edibles, have existing psychiatric conditions or a history of using multiple substances, compared to patients with other types of cannabis toxicity.

"Clinicians must be adept in recognizing, evaluating, managing, and counseling these patients following cannabis exposure," researchers concluded."Evidence-based research and prospective studies on the mental-health effects of cannabis use will be needed as more state legislatures approve the legalization of marijuana."

Experts, who weigh in on the best practices for managing cannabis-induced anxiety, include cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness and medication.

Photo: Courtesy Of Tonik On Unsplash