Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome CHS Causes & Stages

Some people may try to restart marijuana use after the severe symptoms subside, but CHS can return. If this is the case, it may be necessary to seek professional help for cannabis use disorder to prevent future episodes of CHS. Additional research is underway regarding CHS, but the underlying mechanism is complex. It is possible that THC accumulates in the body with frequent, long-term marijuana use, which may be toxic to the gastrointestinal Halfway house system.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

• But a 2019 study concluded that it potentially accounts for up to 6 percent of emergency room visits for recurrent vomiting.
• Of those surveyed, 155 met the criteria of smoking cannabis at least 20 days per month.
• It’s a condition that can lead to serious health complications if you don’t get treatment for it.
• Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly what causes CHS in some people who regularly use cannabis but not others.

People with CHS describe their symptoms as overwhelming and incapacitating, according to a 2011 study published in the journal Current Drug Abuse Reviews. According to a 2015 study published in the journal Academic Emergency Medicine, emergency cases of CHS in two Colorado hospitals have nearly doubled since 2009. If you are worried about your symptoms, see your doctor or go to the hospital. What has never been clear was why only some heavy users of cannabis seem to be affected. These cases highlight the importance of finding better ways to distinguish CHS from other conditions that manifest in https://ecosoberhouse.com/ similar ways. Soon Facebook groups dedicated to CHS started to appear as well, with thousands of people who claimed they had these same symptoms.

Greater Boston Addiction Centers

If they continue to use this drug, their symptoms may return. 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. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition that sometimes develops due to the long term use of marijuana. 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.

Health Conditions

• Importantly, they are all mutations that are not found in frequent cannabis users without CHS symptoms.
• A 2017 review of studies found that 97.4 percent of people who developed CHS reported using cannabis at least weekly.
• Within 10 minutes, nausea and vomiting stopped, and the person no longer felt abdominal pain.
• Compulsive bathing or showering in hot water to soothe nausea is also a hallmark sign of CHS.

The only way to stop CHS and its symptoms is to completely quit using cannabis. 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. Symptoms of CHS likely won’t return if you’ve completely stopped using cannabis. This stage is characterized by abdominal discomfort, early morning nausea and a fear of vomiting. During this time, people maintain normal eating patterns and continue using marijuana for its perceived anti-nausea effects.

Even cannabis products that don’t contain THC have the potential to cause or worsen CHS. Researchers are continuing to examine potential treatment options for CHS. Using these results, researchers estimated that approximately 2.75 million U.S. adults may deal with CHS each year. However, much more research needs to be done to fully understand how often CHS occurs. It may sound like a made-up condition to discourage teenagers from trying cannabis, but symptoms of chs CHS is very real — and it can be dangerous if not properly managed.

• They must be present for at least the last three months and the beginning of symptoms must be at least 6 months prior to the diagnosis being made.
• Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis of CHS do not currently exist.
• Some may be finding that there can be very real — and serious — complications that come with cannabis use.

At this time, the only known way to cure CHS is by quitting cannabis. It’s still not clear which of the more than 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis are responsible for CHS, but it’s thought that CBD could potentially be a contributor. If you need help quitting cannabis, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a 24/7 helpline in English and Spanish. A representative can refer you to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.