Cannabis-induced Koro in Americans.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
Given the relative rarity of cannabis-induced Koro, this work focused on individual case studies.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.
Earleywine
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Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1061, USA.
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D016911:Koro / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D013404:Suggestion; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology