NO JOKE –
Aug. 14, 2025 – The patient was a physically healthy lumberjack, admitted to the hospital after injuring himself in freezing temperatures. He had amputated his ears and penis, had deep cuts on his arms, and bad frostbite. Medical personnel found him agitated and paranoid, but alert and responsive. Emergency efforts stabilized his condition. Psychosis refers to a mental state in which an individual loses contact with reality. This can involve hallucinations—perceiving things that are not there—or delusions, which are strongly held false beliefs. During psychotic episodes, people may misinterpret their surroundings, feel paranoid, or experience disorganized thinking. Psychosis can occur as part of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder but can also be brought on by substance use, brain injury, or extreme stress.
The patient was a physically healthy man working as a lumberjack. He was admitted to the hospital after severely injuring himself in freezing outdoor temperatures. He had amputated both ears and his penis, inflicted deep cuts on his arms, and sustained frostbite on his feet. Medical personnel found him agitated and paranoid, but he was alert and responsive. Emergency surgery stabilized his condition.
Toxicological tests detected cannabinoids, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine—substances found in kratom, a plant increasingly used as a stimulant or pain reliever. The man had a history of drug use dating back to adolescence, including regular cannabis consumption and occasional use of alcohol, methamphetamine, and hallucinogens such as psilocybin mushrooms. He also reported frequent substance combinations, sometimes leading to memory blackouts.
