Related Experiment Videos
Heavy Cannabis Use Associated with Wernicke's Encephalopathy
Amit Chaudhari1, Zi Ying Li2, Alan Long2
1Medicine, University of California, San Francisco-Fresno, Fresno, USA.
Cureus
|September 17, 2019
Summary
Cannabis hyperemesis can lead to Wernicke
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Toxicology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Cannabis use is increasing with legalization, leading to more frequent rare side effects.
- Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a known complication of heavy cannabis use.
- Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a serious neurological condition typically associated with alcohol abuse.
Observation:
- A patient with CHS presented with status epilepticus, hyponatremia, and neurological deficits.
- Brain MRI revealed bilateral thalamic hyperintensities, suggestive of WE.
- The patient showed neurological improvement after thiamine supplementation.
Findings:
- This case highlights a rare instance of cannabis-induced hyperemesis leading to Wernicke's encephalopathy.
- Cannabis use, through hyperemesis and potential malabsorption, can precipitate thiamine deficiency.
- Early thiamine supplementation may prevent severe neurological complications in CHS patients.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider Wernicke's encephalopathy in patients with cannabis hyperemesis and neurological symptoms.
- Proactive thiamine supplementation should be considered in patients with CHS, similar to alcohol-related WE.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and prevalence of WE in cannabis users.