Bhang poisoning: exploring clinicoepidemiological, laboratory, and legal aspects in 50 cases admitted at a tertiary care teaching hospital”

Author: 
Anjesh Mittal., Richa Gupta and Garima Singh

Introduction: Bhang, a preparation made from cannabis leaves, is commonly consumed during the festival of Holi in India. However, it is known to cause a range of clinical manifestations and may lead to fatal outcomes. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 147 million people have used cannabis and its product worldwide in 2017. The Health care landscape is a complex interplay of medical epidemiological legal and ethical consideration. Material & Methods: In this study, we aimed to analyse the clinico-epidemiological and medico legal spectrum of 50 poisoning cases of bhang reported to the emergency department of a tertiary care teaching hospital during the 3 days on the occasion of Holi. Result: The study shows the male preponderance over female with 3:1 ratio and the course of bhang is drinks and sweets. The most common symptoms reported were altered sensorium followed by tachycardia, vomiting and hypotension. With derranged liver enzymes and hypokalemia. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for greater awareness about the potential harms of bhang consumption and its associated complications. The authors suggest that healthcare professionals should be equipped to recognize and manage cases of bhang poisoning effectively. The findings of this study may serve as a baseline for future research on the clinical and public health implications of bhang consumption.

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DOI: 
http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijcar.2023.2639.1576
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