One of the hallmark features of CHS is that hot showers typically relieve the symptoms. This unique symptom can help differentiate CHS from other causes of vomiting, like morning sickness or a foodborne illness. “Hyperemesis” is a medical term used to describe severe and persistent vomiting; for example, hyperemesis gravidarum refers to the severe form of nausea and vomiting that may occur during pregnancy. If symptoms go untreated, patients can become severely dehydrated.
What causes cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
For instance, cannabinoids influence the body’s smooth muscle structures. Usually, cannabis relaxes drug addiction the smooth muscle to reduce intestinal or digestive cramps. In some rare cases, the cannabinoids will affect the esophageal sphincter through which food flows from the esophagus to the stomach. If it tightens, the stomach takes longer to process the food, and the liver metabolizes the intake more slowly.
- In one small study of eight patients hospitalized with CHS, four of the five who stopped using weed recovered from CHS.
- If you have any symptoms of severe dehydration, like dizziness, confusion and a rapid heartbeat, call 911 right away.
- At the end of the day, the only proven way to treat CHS is to stop using marijuana, and permanent cessation of marijuana use leads to the only assured cure (Richards, J Emerg Med, 2018).
- For that reason, it is recommended that anyone suffering from this condition avoids CBD products as well as THC products.
Tracking effects of cannabis use
- If you have cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), the best treatment is to stop using weed, even if you’ve been doing it for years with no previous side effects.
- Unfortunately, not enough research has been done in this area to determine what makes some cannabis consumers more susceptible than others.
- CBD is not thought to interact the same way as THC to cause a CHS episode, and many consumers find symptom relief when using CBD.
Symptoms of CHS typically come on several years after the start of chronic marijuana use. The symptoms typically last a few weeks, though the throwing up should ease up in a day or two. The best and only way to prevent or reduce your risk for CHS is to avoid or quit marijuana use. Your doctor may ask you questions, like how long you’ve been using cannabis and what type of products you normally use. For example, if you smoke weed, eat edibles, use tinctures, or dab or vape THC, tell your doctor about any or all https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of them.
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Taking too many hot baths can increase dehydration due to sweating. Cannabinoids are compounds in the Cannabis sativa plant chs that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your brain, spinal cord, gastrointestinal tract and other body tissues. Examples of cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is an increasingly recognized condition with perplexing symptoms.
- Therefore, long-term cessation of cannabis is recommended to prevent future flare-ups.
- The team extracted the genetics of 28 patients that have previously been diagnosed with CHS.
- Long-term, heavy marijuana users experiencing prolonged, severe vomiting should stop using cannabis and seek medical help immediately.
When someone with CHS completely stops consuming all forms of cannabis (flower, edibles, vapes, concentrates – everything), the body begins the CHS recovery process. Over days, weeks, or sometimes a few months, the hyperemetic episodes cease, the nausea subsides, appetite returns, and that compulsive need for hot showers disappears. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a very unpleasant — and potentially dangerous — complication of long-term marijuana use. Because of this possible complication, it’s important to use caution with marijuana and other cannabis products. If you think you have CHS or cannabis use disorder, talk to a healthcare provider.
