Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome CHS: Symptoms, Causes, & More

Hot baths and showers can help relieve the severe symptoms that occur during the hyperemetic phase. It is important to address any dehydration that may be present due to excessive vomiting, and sometimes intravenous fluid administration is necessary. Call your healthcare provider if you have had severe vomiting for a day or more. The most effective treatment for Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is the cessation of marijuana use. Unfortunately, the psychological and symptoms of chs physical dependency on marijuana can make quitting challenging for many individuals. In these cases, addiction treatment programs can provide the necessary support for successful recovery.

How common is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

Dehydration from vomiting can be fatal, so these symptoms should be taken seriously. These symptoms can be severe and difficult to manage, seriously impacting someone’s quality of life and ability to function. Since these symptoms can cause dehydration, in rare uncontrolled cases it can even lead to death from kidney failure. 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. Addiction Treatment Boston is here to provide the guidance, therapy, and support needed to overcome the challenges of marijuana dependence. Our Drug Rehab Boston center offers specialized treatment for those struggling with marijuana addiction and CHS.

Is It Safe to Mix Alcohol & Marijuana?

When you use weed, these compounds bind to cannabinoid receptors found in your brain, digestive tract (gut), and certain cells in your body. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main cannabinoids in marijuana products. THC is what’s responsible for the “high” https://ecosoberhouse.com/ most people feel when they use marijuana. But long-term marijuana use can produce contradictory effects.

• There are possible direct effects on the brain and central nervous system, which plays a large role in the normal vomiting processes.
• But most symptoms subside in a couple days if no marijuana is used.
• Each of these genes impact some aspect of cannabinoid metabolism or CHS symptomatology—suggesting that this isn’t a coincidence.

What is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?

For those experiencing acute symptoms, supportive treatments are available to alleviate nausea, dehydration, and abdominal pain. However, it’s important to note that these treatments address only the symptoms, not the underlying cause. The most effective way to resolve CHS is to stop using cannabis entirely. In cases where additional guidance or support is needed, our team can also refer patients to appropriate counseling and recovery resources. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition that can happen to anyone who uses cannabis especially if you use it regularly. Researchers and healthcare professionals are just beginning to understand more about CHS.

Research on Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

Since 2004, doctors have identified key symptoms and characteristics of the condition that can help speed up diagnosis. However, researchers have yet to determine the cause of CHS since it does not affect all users of marijuana. If you are worried about your marijuana use, it’s time to reach out for help. We can help you find the marijuana addiction program that fits your needs and begin your recovery journey today.

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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. (Recreational use and sale of cannabis in Canada was legalized starting in 2018). It’s not clear what percentage of all heavy marijuana users have experienced CHS. CHS is a condition caused by chronic and repeated cannabis use that leads to severe nausea and vomiting. CHS is also underdiagnosed because people sometimes use marijuana to suppress nausea and vomiting.

What are the symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

In the hyperemetic phase, individuals experience mild abdominal pain, dehydration, weight loss and intense nausea and vomiting. The vomiting occurs without warning up to five times per hour. If you or a loved one regularly uses cannabis and experiences unexplained nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, it may be time to consult a gastroenterologist. Early intervention can not only bring relief but also prevent potential complications such as severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

• People with a cannabis addiction may need additional help to make this happen.
• One possible treatment option involves the use of benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam, to control nausea and vomiting.
• The only known treatment to permanently get rid of CHS is to stop cannabis use completely.
• These supportive treatments can help people during the hyperemesis stage of the condition, but recovery depends on the person stopping their use of marijuana.
• Some people who use marijuana heavily get CHS while others don’t.

If you’re interested, reach out to a mental health professional like a licensed psychologist or therapist. Some theorize that using cannabis strains Substance abuse rich in THC for an extended period of time increases a person’s risk for the disorder. In states where recreational marijuana is legal, some brands of marijuana contain up to 30 percent THC. According to St. Luke’s Health System, experts are still trying to figure out why CHS occurs in some heavy marijuana users and not others. The disorder confuses many medical experts because the primary ingredient in marijuana, THC, has anti-nausea effects. In fact, the cannabinoid medications dronabinol and nabilone have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat nausea caused by chemotherapy.

• Taking too many hot baths can increase dehydration due to sweating.
• They start to feel better when they stop using marijuana but can feel bad if they use it again.
• If you are experiencing CHS symptoms, the best thing you can do is to stop cannabis use and seek medical care immediately.
• For example, the drug affects the receptors in the esophageal sphincter, the tight band of muscle that opens and closes to let food go from your throat to your stomach.
• Appetite is typically unaffected during this phase, but researchers note that consumers tend to administer more cannabis as a nausea remedy.

And repeated cannabis use can trigger bouts of nausea and vomiting in some people. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by repeated and extreme vomiting that results from long-term, excessive cannabis use. Although rare, the condition has become more prevalent as more states legalize medical marijuana. This may be due to how cannabinoids interact with receptors in the brain and gastrointestinal tract. While the condition is still being studied, the impact of CHS is none-the-less debilitating. The only definitive cure for CHS, for now, is tostop using marijuana.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Diagnosis

A 2017 report published in the journal German Medical Science showed that 60 percent of people with the disorder reported that hot bathing reduced CHS symptoms. The next phase is the most intense, with individuals experiencing severe vomiting episodes. The abdominal pain often intensifies during this period, and vomiting may occur every few hours, leading to significant dehydration and weight loss. People with CHS frequently report that hot showers or baths help alleviate symptoms, a unique behavior that can aid in diagnosing the syndrome.