Examples of cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). During the prodromal phase , symptoms like early-morning nausea or appetite loss may seem manageable, and users often increase their cannabis intake, believing it will help. This can create a feedback loop that accelerates the onset of the hyperemetic phase.
How is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome diagnosed?
Severe nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain are the hallmark symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). The word “cannabinoid” refers to compounds uniquely found in cannabis, and “hyperemesis” means severe vomiting. The causes of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome are not exactly known.
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While CHS does resolve with cannabis cessation, the manner of cessation significantly impacts outcomes. Patients often use cannabis for valid medical reasons, and unsupported cessation can lead to relapse. This page provides a comprehensive, evidence-based perspective on CHS, distinguishing it from other conditions and outlining a more effective, patient-centered approach to management. He also warned that people with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, should be cautious about marijuana use, as what is chs weed studies show cannabis can exacerbate the effects of those illnesses. Camilleri also said that cannabis use is positively correlated with anxiety and depression, and noted that doctors should treat the whole patient and not just the disorder.
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It presents as repeated nausea and vomiting to the point where it endangers you and your wellbeing. A rare but severe condition, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is caused by heavy cannabis use and is “marked by nausea, vomiting and pain,” said The New York Times. It can lead in some cases to extreme dehydration, seizures, kidney failure and cardiac arrest. Long-term risks of CHS are more likely in individuals with certain risk factors, such as chronic marijuana use and specific demographic characteristics. The only cure for CHS is the complete cessation of cannabis and its derivatives, but this may be challenging for patients with cannabis use disorder. Patients will need counseling, medications, and other support services.
While the symptoms may come and go, the underlying issue—THC overstimulation of the body’s nausea and vomiting pathways—remains. Diagnosing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) can be challenging because its symptoms—nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain—overlap with a wide range of gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders. Unlike conditions with clear biomarkers or lab tests, CHS is typically a diagnosis of exclusion , meaning it’s identified after other potential causes have been ruled out. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) often goes unrecognized in its early stages because its symptoms mimic those of other digestive or viral illnesses.
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Raising awareness about hyperemesis cannabis syndrome is vital as cannabis use grows. Early recognition and proper drug addiction treatment treatment can help those affected manage their symptoms and improve their well-being. If you suspect you have CHS, seek guidance from a healthcare professional for the best care and support. Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) can seriously impact a person’s life, causing ongoing nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that disrupt daily activities, work, and social interactions. These symptoms lower the quality of life, leading to physical exhaustion, emotional stress, and social isolation.
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- And a 2022 Canadian study found that ER visits for CHS-related problems had increased 13-fold between 2014 and 2021.
- Nausea ceases, appetite resumes, body weight is regained, and bathing/showering regimen returns to normal.
- CHS primarily affects daily or heavy users of high-THC cannabis, especially those using concentrates or edibles.
Many find cannabis an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting. Ironically, cannabis use is also the cause of a condition called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), where nausea and frequent vomiting are the primary symptoms. People suffering CHS often self-medicate with over-the-counter antacids, but some increase their cannabis use, thinking it will remedy the problem. Others soak in hot tubs or take frequent hot showers to reduce the cramps and pain. However, as the vomiting accelerates and increases, they seek professional medical advice, fearing riskier health problems. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) appears in some chronic cannabis users.
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In one study, about 84% of people who received treatment for CHS stopped using cannabis, and of those, about 86% reported resolution of symptoms. Researchers have only recently discovered CHS, so some doctors or healthcare professionals may not recognize the condition. In one https://ecosoberhouse.com/ 2018 study, a group of researchers surveyed 2,127 U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 49 at an emergency department in New York. Of those surveyed, 155 met the criteria of smoking cannabis at least 20 days per month. Research suggests that CHS is a permanent condition that can only be effectively treated by quitting cannabis. Continuing to use cannabis despite CHS can lead to potentially life threatening complications.
Knowing these can help marijuana users recognize the signs early, seek appropriate treatment, and avoid further complications. But in the digestive tract, marijuana seems to have the opposite effect. With the first use of marijuana, the signals from the brain may be more important. But with repeated use of marijuana, certain receptors in the brain may stop responding to the drug in the same way.
- Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) can greatly disrupt a person’s life.
- They’ll also examine your abdomen and may order tests to rule out other causes of vomiting.
- If severe episodes of vomiting occur, hospitalization may be necessary to treat dehydration or stomach inflammation.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms and they resolve only after a break from cannabis use—then return when you start again—it’s a strong indication that CHS may be the cause. Symptoms often begin subtly, in the prodromal phase , and become more intense over time as the body builds up tolerance and sensitivity to THC . Because CHS isn’t widely known, it’s often misdiagnosed as food poisoning, acid reflux, anxiety, or even withdrawal from other substances. It’s a myth that Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) isn’t real or is psychosomatic.
