Disturbing reports highlight the alarming rise of dangerous synthetic cannabinoids being sold in vape shops, leading to severe psychosis in children as young as 13, with potential lifelong consequences, a prominent psychiatrist warns.
Professor Bobby Smyth, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist affiliated with Trinity College Dublin, revealed that a staggering 20-25% of young people seeking help at adolescent addiction services are now struggling with hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)—a semi-synthetic cannabinoid exhibiting effects similar to those of cannabis.
Notably, HHC has emerged as the primary substance in 5%-10% of cases presented at youth addiction services he oversees, a dramatic increase from a base of virtually zero just 18 months ago, according to Prof Smyth.
Issues associated with this potent substance began surfacing within youth addiction and mental health services around 14 months ago. However, the rate of presentations has since skyrocketed, with alarming cases reported nationwide, he elaborated.
Prof Smyth emphasized the severity of the situation, revealing that his peers have encountered instances of young patients exhibiting psychotic symptoms, including children as young as 13, as a direct result of HHC usage.
“Because it’s sold in shops, people seem to think it’s been tested or regulated or in some way safe when it’s none of those things,” he cautioned, highlighting the misconceptions surrounding the product.
“Why has this stuff been sold in shops across the country to children with absolute impunity?” he questioned rhetorically.
“That’s the problem with these things. Really everyone’s responsible, but no one’s responsible,” he lamented, pointing to a significant gap in accountability.
Despite previous legislative attempts to curb the rise of psychoactive substances, the current crisis emphasizes a critical lapse in the enforcement and application of protective laws. The Criminal Justice Psychoactive Substances Act of 2010 effectively prohibited the sale, supply, import, export, or advertising of psychoactive substances, leading to the closure of numerous “headshops” across Ireland—operations that thrived by distributing largely synthetic drugs previously labeled as “legal highs.”
“The Psychoactive Substances Act was very novel legislation at the time. We were a world leader. It was effective in shutting down the headshops and other countries around the world started learning from it,” Prof Smyth shared, noting the legislation’s initial success.
Prof Smyth expressed his growing frustration at the system’s collective response, suggesting it has inadequately safeguarded the well-being of young individuals, leading to tragic consequences.
“The people who engage in drug selling, as these people are, need a sharp shock to realise that our society doesn’t want this,” he asserted.
Psychiatric complications stemming from HHC use among youths may result in long-lasting and irreversible damage, he warned, emphasizing that “Some of them will be left with psychotic illnesses probably for the rest of their lives.”
“We shouldn’t be paying that sort of price as a society for something entirely avoidable. It should have been stopped on day one,” he remarked, calling for immediate action.
“It needs to be removed from the shelves by whatever mechanism immediately. There needs to be a pretty immediate review of the systems we have in place in Ireland to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” he insisted.
The former lord mayor of Cork City, Mick Finn, echoed these concerns, shedding light on the struggles faced by teenagers and young adults grappling with the effects of hexahydrocannabinol vape usage. Finn, who is currently campaigning for a general election seat, noted that young individuals are increasingly being admitted to Cork University Hospital and the Mercy Hospital, presenting with severe symptoms following the consumption of these vaporizers.
Mr Finn elaborated, saying, “Young people are seeing things that are not there. They’re suffering psychotic episodes, having heightened anxiety,” and expressed fears that multiple suicides might be linked to the use of these dangerous products.
“Users are appearing in Cork hospitals with severe psychosis fallout following use of these vapes that contain hexahydrocannabinol or HHC for short,” Finn stated, emphasizing the urgency of the issue based on frontline reports from youth services professionals he collaborates with.
Mr Finn acknowledged that while not all users are adversely affected, variations in dosage and ingredients may pose significant risks, leading to troubling mental health outcomes for many individuals. He explained that “Episodes relate to users becoming paranoid, having severe mood swings, and increased aggression,” which has resulted in a surge of young individuals seeking psychiatric assistance in recent months.
He recalled prior incidents involving headshop products like incense and bath salts, which resulted in fatalities, reiterating the need for stringent controls on HHC products. “My call now is for similar controls to be made on HHC products, especially for vapers who are minors and for whom the impact of using HHC vapes could be extremely serious,” he stated emphatically.
Currently, approximately one-third of youths in certain services are reported to be misusing hexahydrocannabinol vapes, experiencing distressing symptoms including psychotic episodes, violent outbursts, paranoia, severe anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
Prof Eamon Keenan, a specialist in addiction services with the HSE, raised alarm over the rising incidents of severe poisonings, mass poisonings, and even deaths linked to synthetic cannabinoids globally. He noted the considerable risk tied to currently available edibles, herbal products, and vape formulations on the Irish market.
Prof Keenan also pointed out that synthetic cannabinoids are manufactured chemicals designed to imitate the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component in cannabis.
“Often, products do not contain THC but instead they can contain a synthetic cannabinoid which will produce similar, more potent effects.” He continued, highlighting that this increased potency poses a heightened risk of drug-related emergencies.
Hexahydrocannabinol was flagged to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) in May 2022 as a substance of concern and is under close observation, as shared by Prof Keenan. The HSE is raising awareness about the dangers posed by this product, now readily available in vape shops throughout Ireland.
Beware the Vape: The Dark Side of Synthetic Cannabinoids
It seems every day we hear more and more about the “new” dangers lurking around the corner, like a creep in a dark alley offering a sweet kick from a vape pen. But this time, it’s not a bad one-liner from a stand-up comic; it’s the grim reality of synthetic cannabinoids, particularly hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), wreaking havoc among the youth.
Warning Bells from Dr. Bobby Smyth
Professor Bobby Smyth, the esteemed consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist from Trinity College Dublin, has raised the alarm. He reveals that a staggering 20-25% of the presentations to the adolescent addiction services he oversees now involve HHC. Just think about that for a second — that’s less than two years of this substance creeping into our communities, with numbers going from a big fat zero to representing a significant percentage of issues. If this were a sitcom, it would be one heck of a plot twist!
Dr. Smyth asks a question that might make any parent’s heart race faster than a teenage rebel on a scooter. You can’t help but wonder what sort of crazy game we’re playing here. These dangers are lurking in plain sight, sold over the counter as casually as the latest iPhone. And the worst part? People assume it’s safe because it’s available at their local shop. Spoiler alert: it’s not!
The Return of “Legal Highs”
Remember the “headshops” that flourished in the 2000s? Well, it seems like we’re entering an encore performance but this time, you might want to keep your children out of the front row! The Criminal Justice Psychoactive Substances Act of 2010 was supposed to protect us — a fine attempt at legislation that shut many shops down, but it seems we’ve got a classic case of “if you build it, they will come” on our hands. With new products popping up like mushrooms after rain, it’s clear we need more than just words in a law book. We need action!
As the professor laments: the system has let us down. And let’s face it, no one likes a system that’s about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Psychosis and the Youth: A Disturbing Reality
Mick Finn, Cork’s former lord mayor and youth services manager, concurs, pointing out an alarming trend: young people, some as young as 13, are showing up in our hospitals after experiencing psychotic episodes thanks to HHC. You’ve read that right, folks! Imagine being a parent and hearing that your child is seeing things that aren’t there. It’s every parent’s nightmare turned up to eleven!
Even more concerning is the chilling possibility that these young users could suffer long-term damages. Finn, raising a call to action, reflects on past experiences with synthetic drugs and urges for controls akin to those we saw back in the day. One-third of young people attending certain youth services are now misusing HHC, showing us that it’s not just an isolated incident it’s a full-blown crisis!
The Reckless Gamble of Vaping
But why are these products still on shelves? A combination of reckless marketing and loopholes in the system seems to be the culprit. Prof. Eamon Keenan from the HSE strengthens that argument, emphasizing that fallacies of legitimacy come along with packaging that may look harmless but could contain new and dangerous substances that pack a mean punch.
Picture this: a vape that promises an evening of relaxation turns into a rollercoaster of paranoia and aggression instead. And don’t forget, this is happening to kids! The risks escalate further when these substances are mixed with other drugs, leading to what one might call a risky Roulette game — with your mind and sanity at stake.
Time for Serious Action!
So, what’s the takeaway from this messy saga? The jokers in the deck may be those who sell these products without a second thought to the potential consequences. As Dr. Smyth fittingly suggests, there needs to be immediate action to remove these dangerous vapes from our streets. Society shouldn’t be paying this price for a flimsy notion of legality!
This isn’t just about “kids these days”; this is about our future. We need to strengthen our resolve, review our policies, and stop this madness before it spirals even further out of control.
In conclusion, let’s lend a serious ear to these warnings, folks! We have a responsibility to protect our children, and ignoring this would turn us into the punchline of a very unfunny joke. The question is, are we ready to take action? We’d better be.
How can policymakers effectively regulate HHC to prevent serious consequences for young individuals?
Might lead to developmental and social issues and even more serious consequences.”
Urgent Action Required
The voices of concern echo loudly across the landscape, yet, alarmingly, there’s been little in the way of immediate action taken against HHC and its alarming impacts on youth. Reminiscent of historical drugs that circulated without regulation, HHC appears to be following a similar, troubling path, where the absence of stringent controls has paved the way for its unsettling rise.
Prof. Eamon Keenan, an authority in addiction services with the Health Service Executive (HSE), noted the grim reality facing us, stating there’s a risk that products could contain substances even more dangerous than what is printed on the labels. This potent concoction is a recipe for disaster, plunging young individuals into episodes of paranoia, violent outbursts, and worsening mental health outcomes.
The tragic truth is these synthetic cannabinoids could lack the very component that many users seek — THC — and instead be filled with unnaturally strong synthetic alternatives, capable of triggering drug-related emergencies. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and as Prof. Keenan pointed out, as these products continue to circulate, we may find ourselves grappling with a more ominous truth: mass poisonings and preventable deaths.
A Call for Change
What’s needed now is a chorus of action: We need robust regulations that block HHC from reaching the hands of our youth. Prof. Smyth’s plea rings clear: Immediate reviews and strategic enforcement actions must be prioritized to prevent future tragedies. The time for legislative inaction is over. If we truly care about safeguarding the health and well-being of our younger generations, we must act decisively now before it’s too late.
As the landscape of substances available continues to shift and evolve, it’s critical for everyone, especially parents and policymakers, to remain vigilant and informed. The fight against synthetic cannabinoids is not only about protecting one child but safeguarding an entire generation from needless suffering and despair.
