The symptoms of CHS can be debilitating and often lead people to seek medical care due to dehydration and severe discomfort. While symptoms can be managed, the only way to stop CHS for good is to quit using cannabis in any form. Addiction rehab programs or CBT may be helpful resources for quitting cannabis. Speak with a doctor or healthcare professional if you or someone you know has symptoms of CHS. 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.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Prevention
But too many of them may increase your risk for dehydration due to sweating. Because CHS is a fairly new medical condition, not all doctors know about it. Or they might think it’s something else, since repeated throwing up is a sign of many health problems. You may need to see a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in the digestive tract, for a proper diagnosis.
- And primary care providers, are vital in diagnosing and treating CHS as its prevalence rises.
- Research suggests that CB1 receptors regulate the effects of marijuana on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Doctors have a lack of knowledge of CHS, and this makes it hard to identify people with the condition.
- Accordingly, they have been reported as one of the therapeutic modalities for the management of the CHS.
- But because CHS is a somewhat newly discovered condition that was first diagnosed in 2004, some people may be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
2. Hyperemesis Phase
Electrolyte disturbance and leukocytosis can be present, but possibly as a non-specific finding resulting from the cyclic vomiting. These challenges, in addition to the poor understanding of the pathophysiology of this disorder, mean that most doctors are not equipped to identify and treat the condition. Interestingly, many people with CHS find relief through hot showers or baths.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
- Without more research, there is no definitive answer, but doctors have linked the increase in CHS cases to widespread legalization, along with higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in modern marijuana.
- The active substance — delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — attaches to the CB1 (CNS, GIT), CB2 (CNS), and CB3 receptors that are present in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal (GI) lining.
- At Moving Mountains Recovery, we can help marijuana users detox safely, address the root cause of their substance misuse, and begin on the road to recovery.
- However, in some people, long-term marijuana use can have a near opposite effect.
- Thus, hot shower bathing may be more closely related to CHS, but is neither specific nor sensitive in its diagnosis.
However, this proposed mechanism has not been empirically validated 59. Though many patients with CHS may use hot bathing or showering to https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome-what-is-chs/ obtain relief from its symptoms, more than 10% may not exhibit this behavior 60. Diagnosing CHS can be challenging because its symptoms mimic those of other gastrointestinal disorders, such as cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) or gastritis. Not only that, but the condition is rare, and some people are afraid to be honest with their healthcare providers about their substance use. Additionally, there is no specific test for CHS, so doctors rely on a combination of medical history, symptoms, and by ruling out other conditions.
How can I prevent cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
Benzodiazepines have been reported effective in some cases but can pose a risk of dependence. We created Right as Rain to serve as a resource to connect you with health and wellness information you can trust from researchers, healthcare providers and faculty from UW Medicine and the University of Washington. This can be especially hard — and maybe seem unfair to some — considering the condition doesn’t affect all long-term cannabis users.
“It’s the best medication that helps her sleep for the last five years. Cannabis can be addictive, and people who stop drug addiction using it can experience symptoms not unlike opioid or alcohol withdrawal, said Dr. Deepak Cyril D’Souza, director of the Yale Center for the Science of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Other theories behind rising cases include the widespread legalization and cultural acceptance of cannabis, as well as the higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in modern marijuana, experts told the NewsHour. When Dr. Deepa Camenga began her career about 20 years ago, she rarely if ever saw pediatric patients with CHS, she said.
Living With Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
When you use weed, these compounds bind to cannabinoid receptors found in your brain, digestive tract (gut), and certain cells in your body. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main cannabinoids in marijuana products. THC is what’s responsible for the “high” most people feel when they use marijuana.
It is often described as a syndrome that affects only a small portion of people who are heavy, chronic cannabis users. However, research suggests that it could be far more prevalent and may continue to increase due to factors like the legalization of marijuana and the increased use of medical marijuana. 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 the hyperemesis stage of the condition. These supportive treatments can help people during the hyperemesis stage of the condition, but recovery depends on the person stopping their use of marijuana.
