Psychiatrists call for ban of psychoactive substance that ‘has done major damage' to teens' mental health

Irish Times

5 days ago

In recent years, there are increasing concerns about the impact of Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) on people's mental health, particularly among children and adolescents.
What is HHC?
HHC is a legally available, semi-synthetic cannabinoid. Chemically, it is like THIC, which is the main psychoactive substance found in cannabis that produces a 'high'.
And where can you get it?
As it is legal, it is actually quite widely available. It has been on the Irish market since 2022 and is available to purchase in shops and online. It comes in a number of forms, including
vapes
and edibles.
Why are health professionals concerned?
The
HSE
and the Irish
College of Psychiatrists
have raised concerns in recent years about the impact this has on people's mental health.
This was confirmed in recent days after a new study by researchers in University Hospital Galway found HHC was the second most common drug used by patients presenting with psychosis over a 21-month period. Cannabis was used the most, the study found.
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Cannabis-like drug causing severe psychosis in young men, College of Psychiatrists warn
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What were the findings of the study?
Research published in the BJPsych Bulletin examined medical records of patients admitted for psychotic illness into University Hospital Galway to assess the use HHC or other illicit drugs before admission.
Of the 214 total admissions for psychotic illness between May 2023 and December 2024, 28 admissions (13.1 per cent) were preceded by use of HHC, nine of whom used only HHC.
Sixteen (34 per cent) admissions of first-episode psychosis were preceded by HHC use, with seven of these people using only HHC.
And were there cohorts of society more likely to use HHC?
According to the study, HHC users were more likely to be male and range in age from 18 to 49 with a median age of 24.
The researchers said psychosis associated with HHC appears 'to be more prominent in young people with early-phase psychosis', adding that it highlighted a need for policymakers to 'change legislation to avoid further harm'.
So what do psychiatrists want to see happen?
The Irish College of Psychiatrists said this research confirms their calls over the past year that the substance should be banned.
'HHC is a particularly harmful substance that, in just a few short years since its creation, has done major damage to the mental health of many people, and adolescents in particular,' the statement said.
'It beggars belief that HHC is still freely available around Ireland without any restrictions, given the overwhelming evidence of its harms. The legislative framework exists for the Government to ban HHC – it now needs to act urgently to do so before more people and their loved ones are negatively impacted.'
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Her 17-year-old daughter is under psychiatric care after becoming addicted to HHC vapes
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And is the HSE seeing this too?
The HSE has previously said there has been a 'concerning' increase in the number of children and young people presenting to addiction services with mental health problems due to HHC.
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HHC vapes: 'It only took a few puffs to turn him completely zombie-like'
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What do vendors say?
Luke Gavin, chief executive of Owls Oil, which sells HHC products, said the sector is 'pro-regulation' but does not agree with an outright ban on the substance.
He said there is an 'opportunity' to enact appropriate regulations that assure of safety and ensure standards are followed.
Mr Gavin said this comes down to being 'educated' about what's being consumed and why.
'I believe there's a reason we're here. Cannabis is not available and people are looking for a safer alternative to black market cannabis. That's why I believe HHC has exploded. People want to consume these products safely.'