Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition that sometimes develops due to the long term use of marijuana. CHS is a condition caused by chronic and repeated cannabis use that leads to severe nausea and vomiting. Ceasing and abstaining from the use of cannabis is the only treatment that relieves and prevents symptoms of CHS, according to a systematic review on CHS management.
Hyperemetic phase
Doctors have a lack of knowledge of CHS, and this makes it hard to identify people with the condition. Another doctor reported using a combination of injectable lorazepam and promethazine, another antinausea medication. The cause of death in both people was found to be hyponatremic dehydration, also known as low sodium levels. It may sound like a made-up condition to discourage teenagers from trying cannabis, but CHS is very real — and it can be dangerous if not properly managed.
How is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Treated?
But it’s also important to acknowledge the positive uses of marijuana, Camilleri said. When Dr. Deepa Camenga began her career about 20 years ago, she rarely if ever saw pediatric patients with CHS, she said. Today, hospitals in her area around New Haven, Connecticut, see pediatric CHS cases nearly every day, she added. Researchers aren’t sure exactly why weed causes CHS symptoms only in some people. Not everyone with the condition seeks medical help or tells their provider that they use marijuana.
Shortcomings in our knowledge of CHS and areas for future research
- But not every person who uses marijuana, even long-term use, develops CHS.
- Moderate-quality studies are defined as downgraded randomized trials or upgraded observational studies.
- Walker said the biggest obstacles they face are the public perception that cannabis is harmless and the struggle to find money to continue their research.
- Compulsive hot showering or bathing may be critical in distinguishing CHS from CVS and other conditions with similar symptoms.
- The initial approach to evaluate a patient with cyclical vomiting should start by excluding these vast disorders.
Daily marijuana use is characteristic and often reported as exceeding three to five times per day. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) happens when you have cycles of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain after using cannabis (marijuana) for a long time. People with CHS often find temporary relief from these symptoms by taking hot baths and showers. Two reviewers (CS and AM) independently reviewed all titles generated by the search to identify potentially relevant articles. Articles that were clearly not relevant based on title and abstract were excluded.
„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 TikTok user said. Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly what causes CHS in some people who regularly use cannabis but not others. The evidence supporting these theories is lacking, though, and further study is necessary to confirm the cause of CHS. Stopping cannabis use is the only known way to permanently get rid of CHS. Researchers are continuing to examine potential treatment options for CHS. It’s thought that drug addiction genetics may play a role because only a small number of people who regularly use cannabis develop CHS.
Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Treatment
- Since the 1990s, there has been a progressive change in the composition of the plant, with increases in the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and a reduction of cannabidiol (CBD).6 This trend correlates with increased cannabis use.
- For the past six months, Kristen Haley, the public health education liaison at the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, has been attempting to lower the temperature between the cannabis industry and public health officials.
- In humans this is carried out largely by the CYP2C isoenzyme subfamily of the cytochrome P450 complex 19.
- The dashboard reveals that Maryland has seen more than 800 ER visits a month involving cannabis.
If you need help quitting, speak to a healthcare provider or connect with your local addiction treatment services. Most people with CHS who stop using cannabis have relief from symptoms within 10 days. Hot baths may relieve the nausea for a while, but they don’t cure CHS. The only known treatment to permanently get rid of CHS is to stop cannabis use completely. You may have symptoms and side effects of CHS for a few weeks after quitting cannabis. 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.
- Initial symptoms are feeling sick to the stomach, belly pain and the feeling like you may throw up.
- Patients are often diagnosed with the syndrome based on the way they treat their own symptoms.
- For example, if you smoke weed, eat edibles, use tinctures, or dab or vape THC, tell your doctor about any or all of them.
- Most people end up having an abdominal ultrasound, upper scope, and a test to see how fast stuff gets out of the stomach before we figure out that their problem is CVS or CHS.
Cannabis and psychosis
Of the people who reported vaping cannabis in the 2023 International Cannabis Policy Study, the average oil they vaped was 71.6% THC. That’s almost 20 times stronger than the potency of weed that was for sale illegally in the U.S. in 1995, which had https://ecosoberhouse.com/ an average THC content of 4%, said Denise Walker, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work in Seattle. Haloperidol and topical capsaicin have pathophysiologic bases and evidence for use in CHS.
Low-quality outcomes are those for which further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate. Very low-quality outcomes are cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome those for which any estimate of effect is very uncertain. The strength and quality of each study were evaluated using the GRADE working group metrics 83. Grading and Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) defines high-quality studies as randomized trials or double-upgraded observational studies. Moderate-quality studies are defined as downgraded randomized trials or upgraded observational studies. Low-quality studies are defined as double-downgraded randomized trials or observational studies.