Unfortunately, people tend to consume cannabis for years and become chronic Sobriety users before the CHS develops. That’s because the development of the syndrome takes a lot of time. If the health care provider diagnoses the CHS, it will be explained to the patient what is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, and then it is the treatment time. One of the things that can make the diagnosis faster and a lot simpler is admitting the consumption of marijuana to the doctor.

Diagnosis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has actually even approved drugs that employ THC to treat nausea in patients with illnesses like cancer or AIDS. But, like all medicines and substances, there is the chance and common occurrence of side effects. I’m still smoking, but now it’s daily whether I’m with friends or not.

The History Of Using Cannabis

Since CHS is caused by chronic marijuana use, the first and most critical step is stopping any cannabis product. It doesn’t matter if you’re smoking flower, using edibles, or vaping high-THC concentrates—if you want to break free of CHS, you’ll need to halt all marijuana use. People might need to skip work, school, or social activities because they’re too sick to function normally. Over time, the act of bathing or showering excessively can also lead to its own set of issues.

Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

You should also stop taking marijuana right now to chs syndrome prevent further issues. Persistent vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte disturbances, which can be life-threatening. CHS symptoms typically present in a cyclical pattern every few weeks to months when cannabis is being used. The authors reported having no potential conflicts of interest.

Where Do You Get A Diagnosis And Seek Treatment For Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?

• At this time, the only known way to cure CHS is by quitting cannabis.
• That is, until the ER doctor recommended I meet with a gastrointestinal specialist.
• Over time, cannabis use changes the way in which the molecules present in the digestive tract respond, leading to CHS.

Some of this is linked to the intense desire the country felt to relieve some of the stress of the Great Depression. This fell right into the narrative being pushed during the prohibition era, and it led to more than 25 states outlawing cannabis before 1931. By 1937, the U.S. had created a federal law that regulated the use and possession of hemp which made having any other strain of the plant illegal, even if it was for medicinal uses. The government doubled down on this during the 1970s “War on Drugs”, further criminalizing the substance—again, even if used medicinally. The medicinal benefits of marijuana relate to its ability to lessen stomach cramps and sometimes help with vomiting or nausea by increasing hunger.

• The rise in cannabis legalization could also mean more people have ready access to stronger strains.
• CHS affects those who consume cannabis, also known as marijuana and weed.
• Cannabis can paradoxically act as an antiemetic during acute ingestion at low doses, whereas persistent high-dose ingestion could result in vomiting, a behavior similar to cyclical vomiting 6.
• Liquid nutrition can be delivered this way, letting your system rest while still getting the calories you need.
• Some reports note that CHS tends to appear more often in people who used cannabis heavily during their teen years.
• However, this mechanism has never been tested nor challenged.

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. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition in which a patient experiences cyclical nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain after using cannabis. The almost pathognomic aspect of a patient’s presenting history is that their symptoms are relieved by hot baths or shower. This activity introduces the pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and management of cannabis hyperemesis. Multiple studies report pathological frequent and prolonged hot shower behaviors with CHS.

Treatment

Hot water helps calm the symptoms for a while, but the relief doesn’t last long after stepping out. Even cannabis products that don’t contain THC have the potential to cause or worsen CHS. After stopping cannabis use, symptoms generally resolve within days or months. Reusing cannabis again often leads to a reoccurrence of CHS.