Subject(s)
Cannabis/adverse effects , Koro/chemically induced , Transients and Migrants , Adult , Citalopram/therapeutic use , Clonazepam/therapeutic use , GABA Modulators/therapeutic use , Humans , Koro/drug therapy , Male , Nepal/ethnology , Olanzapine/therapeutic use , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/therapeutic useSubject(s)
Illicit Drugs/adverse effects , Koro/chemically induced , Penis/drug effects , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
The genital-shrinking syndrome is a transient state of acute anxiety characterized by the triad of a deep-seated fear of penile shrinkage, its disappearance into the abdomen, and apprehension regarding inevitable impotence or even death. It is also known by the Malayo-Indonesian term 'koro'. In the West, koro syndrome has been reported only in relation with various somatic, psychiatric and drug-induced disorders. The vast majority of non-psychiatric cases was related to neurological disorders or intoxication with cannabis or amphetamine. This is the first case of cannabis-induced koro-like syndrome ever reported in Greece.
Subject(s)
Koro/chemically induced , Marijuana Abuse/complications , Adult , Humans , Male , SyndromeABSTRACT
AIMS: Koro, an acute panic reaction related to the perception of penile retraction, was once considered limited to specific cultures. The disorder has appeared as part of a panic response to cannabis, but only in citizens of India. This study looked for cannabis-induced Koro in Americans. DESIGN: Given the relative rarity of cannabis-induced Koro, this work focused on individual case studies. PARTICIPANTS: Over 70 men responded by phone to report negative reactions to cannabis. Three of them (Caucasians aged 22-26 with years of experience with cannabis) spontaneously mentioned experiencing symptoms of Koro after smoking marijuana. FINDINGS: All three cases occurred after participants had heard about cannabis-induced Koro and used the drug in a novel setting or atypical way. Two of the men had body dysmorphia, which may have contributed to symptoms. All three decreased their cannabis consumption after the Koro experience. CONCLUSIONS: Koro, particularly cannabis-induced Koro, is not limited to Eastern cultures. Several factors may interact to create symptoms. These include previous knowledge of cannabis-induced Koro, the use of marijuana in a way that might heighten a panic reaction, and poor body image. In addition, these cases confirm previous work that shows that negative reactions to drugs can attenuate their use.
Subject(s)
Cannabis/adverse effects , Koro/chemically induced , Adult , Body Image , Humans , Koro/ethnology , Male , Suggestion , United States/epidemiologySubject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents/adverse effects , Koro/chemically induced , Pirenzepine/analogs & derivatives , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/etiology , Adult , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Benzodiazepines , Combined Modality Therapy , Depressive Disorder/drug therapy , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Depressive Disorder/therapy , Electroconvulsive Therapy , Humans , Male , Olanzapine , Pirenzepine/adverse effects , Pirenzepine/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Koro in the background of drug abuse is quite rare. The present report of Koro during the first experience with cannabis is the only account of its kind in the world Koro literature to date. The nature and extent of this genital depersonalization is discussed.
