Brugada Electrocardiogram Pattern Induced by Recreational Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): A Case Report

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Cannabis, and Delta-8 THC: Perceived Likelihood, Risk Perceptions, and Behaviors

Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or cannabis poses public health risks. Little is known about DUI of Delta-8 THC, a newer cannabis product. Using 2022 survey data among 189 U.S. adults ages 18-25 (58.73% male, 59.26% non-Hispanic White), multivariable logistic regression examined substance-specific (alcohol, cannabis, Delta-8) DUI perceived likelihood and risk in relation to past-year DUI among those with past-year use of each. Overall, 72.49% reported past-year alcohol use, 50.53% cannabis, and 22.46% Delta-8. Among those reporting past-year use of each respective substance, 33.58% reported DUI of alcohol, 32.63% cannabis, and 57.14% Delta-8. On average, participants had the same DUI perceived likelihood ("somewhat unlikely") across substances and perceived alcohol DUI as riskiest. Higher alcohol DUI perceived likelihood and lower perceived risk were associated with alcohol-related DUI. Greater cannabis-related perceived likelihood (but not risk) was associated with cannabis-related DUI. Neither Delta-8 DUI perceived likelihood nor risk were associated with Delta-8 DUI. In sum, perceived DUI likelihood for alcohol, cannabis, or Delta-8 tended to be similar. Among those with past-year use of each, the proportion of DUI was highest for Delta-8. Interventions should target DUI-related perceived likelihood and promote protective behavioral strategies that reduce substance-specific DUI risk.

Associations between cannabis risk perceptions and Delta-8 THC use among young adults

Background

Delta-8 THC is a federally unregulated, implicitly legal, psychoactive substance from the cannabis plant. Delta-8 THC popularity and related consequences have been rising in the U.S.

Objective

Examine factors associated with Delta-8 THC use to fill the literature gap.

Methods

Data were from a survey among a convenience sample of 18-25-year-olds (n=166). Mixed effects multivariable logistic regression models examined whether perceived susceptibility and perceived severity of harms from use were associated with past-year Delta-8 THC use. These two predictors were measured separately for Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, student status, and past year Delta-9 THC use were adjusted for as covariates; a random intercept for state was included to account for between-state variabilities.

Results

The following were associated with higher odds of past-year Delta-8 THC use: lower Delta-8 perceived severity and Delta-9 perceived susceptibility, and higher Delta-9 perceived severity and Delta-8 perceived susceptibility. People who had used Delta-9 in the past year had 20 times the odds of using Delta-8.

Conclusions

The inconsistent direction of associations between cannabis risk perceptions and Delta-8 THC use may indicate reverse causation. Findings lay the groundwork to understanding theoretical antecedents of Delta-8 THC use, for which future research can build upon.

Delta-8, a Cannabis-Derived Tetrahydrocannabinol Isomer: Evaluating Case Report Data in the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Database

Purpose

The aim of this study was to characterize the frequency of adverse effects where delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (D8-THC) was identified as a possible suspect drug in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.

Methods

A case-series design was used.

Results

A total of 183 cases listed D8-THC as a suspect drug in FAERS as of June 30, 2021. The most common events included dyspnea, respiratory disorder, and seizure. The reporting odds ratios were consistently and significantly greater than 2, a 2-fold increase from 2019 to 2021, indicating a potential safety signal.

Conclusion

The first report of D8-THC, in the FAERS database, as a suspect drug appears to be in 2011. Overall, there are 183 total cases listing D8-THC as a suspect drug in the FAERS database as of June 30, 2021. Of the 183 cases, most were respiratory in nature.