Self-reported adverse events associated with ∆8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8-THC) Use

Springer Science and Business Media LLC - Tập 5 Số 1
Eric C. Leas1, Raquel M Harati1, Nora Satybaldiyeva1, Nicolas E Morales2, Shelby L Huffaker1, Tomas Mejorado1, Igor Grant3
1Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, 0725, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 94304-1334, USA
2California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, USA
3Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA

Tóm tắt

Abstract Background There is an expanding unregulated market for a psychotropic compound called ∆8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC) that is being derived from hemp, but a summary of adverse events related to delta-8-THC has not been publicly reported. Methods This case series assessed adverse events reported by delta-8-THC users on the Reddit forum r/Delta8 and compared these to delta-8-THC AEs in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Delta-8-THC and cannabis AEs reported in FAERS were also compared. The r/Delta8 forum was selected because it includes a large sample of 98,700 registered individuals who publicly discuss their experiences using delta-8-THC. All r/Delta8 posts were obtained from August 20, 2020, through September 25, 2022. A random sample of r/Delta8 posts was drawn (n = 10,000) and filtered for posts in which delta-8-THC users reported an adverse event (n = 335). FAERS reports that listed delta-8-THC (N = 326) or cannabis (N = 7076) as a suspect product active ingredient were obtained. Adverse events claimed to result from delta-8-THC use were coded using Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities to system organ class and preferred term categories. Results The absolute number of delta-8-THC adverse event reports (N = 2184, 95% CI = 1949–2426) and serious adverse event reports (N = 437; 95% CI = 339–541) on r/Delta 8 were higher than the adverse event reports (N = 326) and serious adverse event reports (N = 289) to FAERS. Psychiatric disorders were the most frequently cited system organ class in r/Delta8 adverse event reports, mentioned in 41.2% (95% CI = 35.8%-46.3%) of reports, followed by respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders (29.3%, 95% CI = 25.1%-34.0%) and nervous system disorders (23.3%, 95% CI = 18.5%-27.5%). Anxiety (16.4%, 95% CI = 12.8–20.6), Cough (15.5%, 95% CI = 11.9–20.0) and Paranoia (9.3%, 95% CI = 6.3–12.5) were the most frequently cited preferred terms in adverse event reports. The overall prevalence of AEs reported for cannabis and delta-8-THC on FAERS were also similar when analyzed by system organ class (Pearson’s r = 0.88). Conclusions The findings of this case series suggest that most of the adverse events reported by delta-8-THC users are like those reported during acute cannabis intoxication. This finding suggests that health care professionals follow similar treatment and management protocols, and that jurisdictions should clarify whether delta-8-THC can be sold as a hemp product.

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