Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: an update on the pathophysiology and management

Currently, Nicki is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counseling Education and Supervision at Grand Canyon University. Nicki’s research interests include the use of Positive Psychology interventions with dual diagnosis clients. Nicki hopes to contribute to the body of knowledge in treating substance use disorders. “Anecdotally, it does feel like we are seeing a lot more patients coming in with CHS, with vomiting, with abdominal pain,” Wilbert said. If you or a loved one is suffering from Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome and marijuana addiction, it’s time to take the first step toward recovery.

• Still, recent studies have opened up a new possibility—that genetics are the reason why CHS hits some cannabis consumers but not others.
• Although some individuals may attempt to quit on their own, addiction treatment centers offer comprehensive care and support that greatly increase the likelihood of long-term recovery and symptom relief.
• Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition caused by long-term marijuana use, characterized by recurrent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
• Usually, marijuana (cannabis) is prescribed to patients suffering from vomiting and nausea, but its overuse has shown an equally reversing effect.
• But even Russo, whose professional life revolves around the benefits of cannabis, has been calling out the dangers of high-potency concentrates — a danger he said is universally applicable to any drug.
• The prodromal phase can last for months, or even years in some cases.

Recovery Phase

Many people with CHS go to their doctor or an emergency room (ER) for treatment. However, doctors may find it challenging to diagnose the syndrome because people tend not to report their use of marijuana. Heard says pediatric cases are down, however, thanks to steps the Colorado marijuana industry has taken, some by force of legislation, in packaging and individual dosing.

Diagnosis of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

The new law also provides money to study the dangers of high-potency THC products and to pay for messages and media campaigns to educate the public about cannabis dangers. Of the people who reported vaping cannabis in the 2023 International Cannabis Policy Study, the average oil they vaped was 71.6% THC. Nicki has earned a Master of Science degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Behavioral Health from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University.

The Importance of Seeking Help from an Addiction Treatment Center

• Some of those hospital visits are related to a severe condition that develops after using high concentrations of cannabinoids over a long time, called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).
• “Anecdotally, it does feel like we are seeing a lot more patients coming in with CHS, with vomiting, with abdominal pain,” Wilbert said.
• But not every person who uses marijuana, even long-term use, develops CHS.
• The best and only way to prevent or reduce your risk for CHS is to avoid or quit marijuana use.
• The only proven way to prevent cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is to avoid cannabis (marijuana).
• While the authors discussed several traditional treatment options, I do not think they gave haloperidol enough attention.

“This first started happening to me last year, every four-to-six months or so and I would spend a day or two going through a cycle of vomit-shower-sleep vomit-shower-sleep,” a Halfway house TikTok user said. Marijuana is derived from a plant source named cannabis sativa plant. Seeds, stems, flowers, and leaves of this plant are dried to derive marijuana. The only clear and universally effective way to get rid of CHS symptoms is to entirely stop cannabis. Still, recent studies have opened up a new possibility—that genetics are the reason why CHS hits some cannabis consumers but not others.

This word is a combination of “screaming” and “vomiting.” You’re in so much pain that you’re screaming while you’re vomiting. It tends to affect people who use cannabis at least once a week and happens more often in adults who’ve been using cannabis since their adolescent years.

Imaging is up to the discretion of the clinician, depending on various specific factors of history or physical exam, which may be concerning for surgical processes. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is a condition that affects individuals who use marijuana regularly, particularly those who have been using it for years or in large quantities. This syndrome is characterized by severe and persistent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that do not respond to traditional anti-nausea treatments, and in many cases, it leads to dehydration and weight loss. It leads to severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain due to overstimulated cannabinoid receptors. While cannabis is revered for its nausea-calming (antiemetic) properties, it’s paradoxical that it causes severe nausea and vomiting in certain people. Due to its widely known antiemetic properties, people who develop CHS will often increase the amount of cannabis they consume in hopes that it will cure the nausea, but it never helps.

Take the First Step Towards Recovery

Hence, a history of prolonged marijuana use must be told to the doctor for them to be able to confirm (or rule out) CHS. Physicians diagnose CHS after taking and analyzing complete medical history from the patient. Post examination, the doctors conduct only those tests which rule out any other condition that can cause vomiting. It has been seen that individuals who are in a habit of consuming marijuana at least once daily have reported to be suffering from CHS. Ultimately though, the only clear and universally effective way to get rid of CHS symptoms is to entirely stop cannabis. It can take days to months to resolve but most patients recover once they are fully off of any kind of cannabinoid.

Debunked CHS Theories

Understanding the pathophysiology of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) remains central in explaining the clinical features and potential drug targets for the treatment of CHS. The frequency and prevalence of CHS change in accordance with the doses of tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids in various formulations of cannabis. CHS is unique in presentation, because of the cannabis’s biphasic effect as anti-emetic at low doses and pro-emetic at higher doses, and the association with pathological hot water bathing. In this narrative review, we elaborate on the role of the ECS, its management, and the identification of gaps in our current knowledge of CHS to further enhance its understanding in the future. Multiple studies report pathological frequent and prolonged hot shower behaviors with CHS. Hot showers have been reported to assist in stabilizing the hypothalamic thermostat, frequently altered by chronic cannabis use 51.

Health News

In September, Brandon Danielson was getting ready to go to work, when he had a what is chs seizure. He was so severely dehydrated from vomiting that his organs shut down. Medical professionals also recommend focusing on a healthy diet, regular exercise, and mindfulness practices to reduce stress and improve mental health.