Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome: Causes, Treatment, and More

Other cannabinoids, such as CBD and cannabigerol (CBG), may also contribute to the development of CHS. At low doses, CBD is known to be antiemetic, but at higher doses, it can become proemetic. CBG has the potential to reverse the antiemetic effects of CBD, suggesting that CHS could result from the interplay between high levels of CBD and its reversal by CBG 25,26. Studies that were purely theoretical without clinical data or those that focused exclusively on animal models were excluded, as the review aimed to capture human clinical insights into CHS. Additionally, studies that did not discuss cannabis use in relation to CHS symptoms were not considered. The most important thing to make CHS better is stopping marijuana use.

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As people with CHS often only consult their doctors during the hyperemesis stage, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the treatment of people during the prodromal stage. Currently, doctors do not have treatment guidelines for the management of CHS. Most of the evidence on effective treatment and management comes from published case reports.

What are possible complications of CHS?

However, doctors exercise caution when prescribing lorazepam because it is a controlled substance with the potential for abuse and addiction. The use of lorazepam for CHS is also off-label, so a person’s doctor would need to make them aware of this fact. Some people with CHS require pain relievers if abdominal pain is present.

Recovery stage

• Chronic cannabis use is the primary risk factor for developing CHS.
• Cannabis contains over 100 different cannabinoids, with delta-9-THC and CBD being the primary compounds.
• This is the final phase, when the patient starts feeling healthy again, and starts eating normally.
• As more states make recreational use of cannabis legal, it is thought that this problem will become more common.
• Ultimately, the only way to guarantee health is by totally abstaining, he added.

These medications exert their effects by inhibiting the medullary and vestibular nuclei in the brain, which play a key role in nausea and vomiting regulation. In emergency settings, benzodiazepines have demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing acute symptoms, providing symptomatic relief when conventional anti-emetics fail. However, their use is approached with caution due to the risk of dependence, especially in patients with a history of substance use. Most CHS patients present to the emergency department multiple times, often undergoing various diagnostic tests, including lab work and advanced imaging, which typically yield negative results.

• “No kid could use continuously throughout the day and also be doing anything else, because they would have been smoking a joint before,” she said.
• As people with CHS often only consult their doctors during the hyperemesis stage, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the treatment of people during the prodromal stage.
• These chemicals can change the time it takes your stomach to empty food.
• Yet, its relationship with appetite and digestion is far more nuanced, offering potential benefits for weight management, digestive comfort, and overall wellness.

• CHS usually starts after years of using marijuana many times a week.
• One of the 4 who recovered went back to using marijuana and the vomiting resumed.
• This is normally when people go see a doctor to find out what is causing these problems.
• We are dedicated to helping you break free from addiction and lead a healthier, drug-free life.

Further research, particularly at the microscopic level, is essential to better understand this condition. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline, have shown promising efficacy in the management of CVS and have been explored as a potential prophylactic treatment for CHS. Research suggests that amitriptyline and other TCAs can significantly alleviate CHS symptoms, with remission rates reported in up to 70% of patients. Furthermore, emerging clinical strategies combining gradual cannabis cessation with TCA therapy have demonstrated effectiveness in achieving sustained CHS remission within a period of six to 12 months.

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However, with repeated use in some people, it can have the opposite effect on the digestive tract. This results in the persistent vomiting and nausea characteristic of CHS. One doctor reported using injectable lorazepam to help control nausea and vomiting symptoms in an adult. Within 10 minutes, nausea and vomiting stopped, and the person no longer felt abdominal pain. First, doctors treating people with CHS advise them to stop using marijuana. During the hyperemesis stage, doctors focus on preventing dehydration and stopping the symptoms of nausea and vomiting.

People in the hyperemetic phase can take up to 12 hot showers or baths during the day to relieve symptoms. The hot temperatures may provide some relief as they affect your hypothalamus, the part of your brain that regulates both vomiting and your internal body temperature. Public health responses to CHS are hampered by a lack of comprehensive data and research. The rapid expansion of cannabis legalization has outpaced the research into its health impacts, particularly regarding conditions like CHS. There is a clear need for more robust studies to assess the prevalence, demographics, and long-term outcomes of CHS in a variety of populations.

Right now, the only known effective treatment for CHS is to stop using cannabis. Typical antiemetics such as ondansetron, commonly known as Zofran, have often been found ineffective at suppressing nausea caused by CHS. There https://ecosoberhouse.com/ are some drugs that may help, such as amitriptyline, Camilleri said. Decades ago, most people had less opportunity to consume cannabis in daily life.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition that affects some people who use cannabis, especially over a long period. It’s a relatively new and lesser-known health issue that causes severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, often leading people to seek medical help. For many cannabis users, the symptoms can be confusing and alarming because cannabis is often thought to help with nausea. Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition that leads to repeated and severe bouts of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pains. Symptoms of CHS usually appear after 10 to 12 years of chronic use. Severe nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain are the hallmark symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).

Some patients scream while they vomit due to the intense belly pain. While clinical features such as chronic cannabis use, intractable vomiting, what is alcoholism and relief with hot baths are commonly reported, these are not pathognomonic. The development of a validated CHS diagnostic tool, potentially incorporating biomarkers like cannabinoid metabolites or genetic polymorphisms, could revolutionize early detection and management. The absence of standardized diagnostic criteria for CHS is a significant challenge in clinical practice. Standardized guidelines would help healthcare providers identify CHS more efficiently and reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis.

Researchers have only recently discovered CHS, so some doctors or healthcare professionals may not recognize the condition. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a rare condition that develops in people who use cannabis frequently over a period of several years. Treatment involves stopping cannabis use and symptom management. Modern companies have “turned out inconspicuous vape pens, fast-acting edibles and pre-rolled joints infused with potency enhancers and concentrates” that contain as much as 99% THC.

The only way to prevent CHS is to avoid using any form of marijuana. It’s still possible to develop CHS if you use cannabis for many years without having any problems. This article describes the causes, symptoms, and stages of CHS. As the laws regarding the possession and use of marijuana change, CHS may become more prevalent because more people will have legal access to the drug. 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.

The most effective treatment is stopping marijuana use, which can be achieved through medical detoxification and therapy. Treatment centers provide programs that support individuals in overcoming marijuana addiction and managing CHS symptoms through professional care, therapy, and aftercare support. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is often linked to marijuana addiction, as those with CHS typically have a long history of chronic marijuana use.