The College of Psychiatrists has issued a grave warning concerning a new substitute for cannabis, Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), which has been linked to severe psychosis in young men that necessitates extensive, in-patient treatment for several months.
First appearing in the market in 2022, the chemical structure of HHC shares similarities with Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active compound within cannabis, producing akin physiological impacts. The legality of HHC in Ireland has seen its popularity increase dramatically over the previous year, predominantly sold in retail outlets and frequently advertised as a milder or safer alternative to cannabis. This synthetic cannabis substitute can be found commonly in vapes, jellies, or chocolates.
According to the data shared by the College of Psychiatrists, HHC plays a significant part in around 20% of consultations with addiction services for adolescents. The College is urging the government to enact a ban on HHC citing the precedence of laws that emerged in 2010 to combat the proliferation of hazardous legal substances sold in various “head shops” situated across the country.
Specialist consultant child and adolescent addiction psychiatrist, Prof Bobby Smyth warned of the detrimental effects these head shops are having on the youth, noting a concerning similarity in the trend with HHC. Prof Colin O’Gara, another specialist in addiction psychiatry, expressed his concerns about HHC’s repercussions on the mental wellbeing of adolescents. Although it was initially perceived as non-threatening, according to Prof O’Gara, the severe psychosis caused by vaping HHC has had consequential impact on the mental health of young men requiring prolonged and intensive in-hospital treatment.
On Monday, the College of Psychiatrists released a comprehensive guide underlining the dangers and consequences of HHC. Prof Smyth, the chair of the College’s faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry noted an “extraordinary” increase in HHC-linked addiction cases amongst adolescents within a concise time span.
HHC was discovered in Europe merely two years back and presently, its consumption is projecting a startling increase in Ireland, accounting for nearly 20% of all adolescent addiction cases, often alongside cannabis, according to recent estimates. Professor Smyth expressed concern about the unknown long-term effects of HHC usage.
The populace should be aware that the mere availability of a substance in commercial retail, complete with appealing packaging and marketed for human intake, does not authenticate its safety or confirm its testing. Prof Smyth advocates the assumption that HHC could potentially trigger a similar array of issues linked to cannabis unless proven otherwise.
The institution urges the Government to classify HHC as an illegal substance, to necessitate legal persecution of vendors and retail outlets found dealing in any form of the drug, and to propagate awareness regarding possible hazards of HHC consumption, particularly targeting the youth and educational institutions.