Intravenous Marijuana Syndrome
Encyclopedia
Intravenous Marijuana Syndrome is a rare distinct short-term clinical syndrome related to the IV injection of boiled cannabis
broth, which had been filtered through a cotton
cloth. The syndrome has at least 25 known cases in the English language literature, all prior to 1983. Symptoms included "myalgia
, nausea
and vomiting
, diarrhea
, abdominal pain and weakness." All known patients recovered with normal care, with an average hospital stay of 9 days. In a controlled study, subjects were injected with cannabinoids
, but no adverse effects were observed. Contamination, perhaps from the cotton used to strain the liquid, was suggested as a cause for the illnesses.
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
broth, which had been filtered through a cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
cloth. The syndrome has at least 25 known cases in the English language literature, all prior to 1983. Symptoms included "myalgia
Myalgia
Myalgia means "muscle pain" and is a symptom of many diseases and disorders. The most common causes are the overuse or over-stretching of a muscle or group of muscles. Myalgia without a traumatic history is often due to viral infections...
, nausea
Nausea
Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
and vomiting
Vomiting
Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose...
, diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, abdominal pain and weakness." All known patients recovered with normal care, with an average hospital stay of 9 days. In a controlled study, subjects were injected with cannabinoids
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that include the phytocannabinoids , and chemical compounds that mimic the actions of phytocannabinoids or have a similar structure...
, but no adverse effects were observed. Contamination, perhaps from the cotton used to strain the liquid, was suggested as a cause for the illnesses.