What is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome? Cannabis Glossary

If you suspect you have CHS, seek guidance from a healthcare professional for the best care and support. Understanding what triggers cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) can help those affected make better decisions about their cannabis use. CHS is linked to heavy or long-term cannabis use, and while the exact cause is still being studied, there are several potential mechanisms and risk factors that may lead to this condition. Knowing these can help marijuana users recognize the signs early, seek appropriate treatment, and avoid further complications. If you use cannabis often and frequently experience vomiting and nausea, you should tell a healthcare professional.

Addiction and Recovery Educational Blog

We fix this by giving the water back through the veins and giving drugs to stop the sick feeling and lower the acid in the stomach. From Alaska to Florida, and Pennsylvania to Arizona, our affiliated hospitals are cornerstones of their communities. These local hospitals and healthcare systems play a vital role by providing close to home care and peace of mind for millions of people each year. Click here to learn about the treatments that appeared to be helpful in the study conducted by Russo et al.

• It is possible that non-THC products made from isolated cannabinoids are safe for some CHS suffers to consume, but it is very difficult to know without additional research.
• In the hyperemetic phase, sufferers experience intense and persistent vomiting.
• THC is also known for having biphasic effects, which means it can cause two opposite effects at different doses.
• The only clear and universally effective way to get rid of CHS symptoms is to entirely stop cannabis.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain are the hallmark symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).

How is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome treated?

To diagnose CHS, a healthcare professional will study your symptoms and ask you questions. They’ll also examine your abdomen and may order tests to rule out other causes of vomiting. It is important for people with CHS to stop using marijuana because this will resolve their nausea and vomiting. Preventing dehydration and stopping nausea and vomiting are the treatment goals during drug addiction the hyperemesis stage of the condition.

What Causes Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?

It’s important to be honest about your marijuana use if you have symptoms of CHS. Without knowing this background, providers often misdiagnose CHS as other conditions, like cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will ask you about your symptoms and your past health. They will also do a physical exam, including an exam of your belly.

Greater Boston Addiction Centers

Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly what causes CHS in some people who regularly use cannabis but not others. As CHS is a new diagnosis, the manufacturers of these drugs did not design them for treating CHS, but a doctor may opt to prescribe them for this use. Doctors have a lack of knowledge of CHS, and this makes it hard to identify people with the condition. People often remain misdiagnosed for years, which delays treatment.

Recognizing the signs and knowing when to seek help are essential steps toward relief. With the right support, CHS recovery is possible, leading to a healthier, symptom-free life. CHS symptoms are disruptive and often intense, involving cycles of nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

• Most people who quit using cannabis experience no more CHS symptoms within 10 days, but sometimes it may take weeks or months for symptoms to stop.
• Or they might think it’s something else, since repeated throwing up is a sign of many health problems.
• They may also change their eating habits and timings to help avoid symptoms.
• Though rare, CHS is being reported more frequently, suggesting that certain individuals may be more vulnerable, especially if they’ve used cannabis heavily over the years.
• Long-term cannabis use can have unexpected effects on the body, especially on the endocannabinoid system, which regulates functions like mood, digestion, and pain.
• This can happen when you are stressed, excited, have an infection or when women have their period.

In the hyperemetic phase, severe nausea and vomiting can cause dehydration and weight loss, and may drive patients to seek emergency department care. CHS is a relatively new and under-recognized condition, first described in 2004. Many individuals and even some healthcare what is chs providers are unaware of it, leading to misdiagnosis and unnecessary medical tests. Additionally, cannabis’s reputation for alleviating nausea can create confusion, causing users to continue cannabis use in an attempt to self-treat their symptoms, which worsens the condition.