However, because CHS is not always diagnosed correctly, its true prevalence may be underreported. With growing awareness, more people are seeking medical help, which may lead to better https://ecosoberhouse.com/ recognition and reporting of the condition. Risk factors for CHS include demographic and behavioral factors such as long-term marijuana use, age, gender, and sociocultural background.

Prodromal Phase

• Hyperemesis syndrome is a condition marked by severe and persistent nausea and vomiting, often accompanied by abdominal pain and dehydration.
• The first pediatric-specific criteria were only described in 2020 by Lonsdale H et al.
• Rates of cannabis use disorder have spiked in the past 40 to 50 years, D’Souza said, with some studies suggesting between 20 and 30 percent of marijuana users meeting the criteria for the disorder.

The general consensus among studies from states that have legalized marijuana is that cases of CHS presenting at hospitals have doubled post-legalization. However, the true prevalence is likely underestimated due to misdiagnosis and limited awareness among healthcare providers. While it is possible that legalization has made patients more willing to seek emergency care, the burden of managing these cases ultimately falls on healthcare providers.

Symptoms and Causes

One study found up to 6% of people who went to the emergency room for cyclical vomiting had CHS. But because CHS is a somewhat newly discovered condition that was first diagnosed in 2004, some people may be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. As a trusted Georgia addiction treatment center, we are dedicated to serving our clients through various alcohol and drug addiction programs. We have a firm belief that it is possible for YOU to achieve and sustain long-term recovery. That kind of specialized program will address what led you to use cannabis heavily in the first place.

What are cannabis withdrawal symptoms?

This increases dopamine release and decreases extracellular glutamate in the striatum and mesolimbic systems 69,70. These physiological alterations manifest as anxiety, tremors, and paranoia in some cannabis users. Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam, have proven acute treatment for CHS 65,66. Intravenous lorazepam administered in doses of 1 to 2 mg every 4 to 6 h has shown symptom relief 65,66. Patients may also benefit from oral lorazepam tablets, doses between 0.5 to 1 mg every 6 to 8 h on discharge. Benzodiazepines, with their gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonistic actions, inhibit the medullary and vestibular nuclei, causing anti-emetic action.

• Patients may unknowingly increase their cannabis consumption to alleviate these symptoms, unaware that cannabis is the underlying cause of their discomfort 15.
• While several treatments provide symptom relief, it is important to be cautious with certain medications.
• This syndrome is characterized by severe and persistent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that do not respond to traditional anti-nausea treatments, and in many cases, it leads to dehydration and weight loss.

This summary was produced by Emergency Care BC (formerly the BC Emergency Medicine Network) and uses the best available knowledge at the time of publication. However, healthcare professionals should continue to use their own judgment and take into consideration context, resources and other relevant factors. Emergency Care BC is not liable for any damages, claims, liabilities, costs or obligations arising from the use of this document including loss or damages arising from any claims made by a third party. Emergency Care BC also assumes no responsibility or liability for changes made to this document without its consent.

The effects of marijuana on your digestive system are what lead to the main symptoms of CHS. The only clear and universally effective way to get rid of CHS symptoms is to entirely cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (chs) stop cannabis. What’s unlikely is that CHS is attributable entirely to pesticide contamination, as some cannabis advocates have suggested. While pesticides like neem oil can cause poisoning, the common effects of that poisoning do not line up with CHS symptoms. But over the next decade, more cases of CHS started to show up in the medical literature.

Certain risk factors for CHS, such as long-term cannabis use, can also contribute to the development of comorbidities like mental health issues and substance use disorders. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) can have both immediate and long-term effects on health. Understanding the risk factors for CHS, such as long-term marijuana use, age, gender, and sociocultural background, can help in identifying individuals who are more likely to experience these effects and risks.

Is Cannabis Harmful?

Additionally, cannabinoids can have indirect effects by modulating the brain-gut axis, which plays a significant role in the perception of nausea and vomiting. This complex interplay between the cannabinoid system and the GI system can lead to the development of CHS in susceptible individuals. Recent studies have explored the potential use of biomarkers in diagnosing CHS. For example, elevated serum cannabinoid levels or certain patterns of urinary metabolites could help confirm chronic cannabis use, though further research is needed to validate these approaches. Additionally, genetic research is ongoing to identify potential genetic markers that may predispose individuals to CHS, which could contribute to a more precise diagnosis. Despite these established characteristics, there is no definitive guideline on how many criteria are required for diagnosis.

3.1. Prodromal Phase

Ultimately, the only way to guarantee health is by totally abstaining, he added. If the patient quits cannabis consumption, vomiting due to CHS largely subsides. It’s possible that with lower amounts or lower frequency, patients might be able to use cannabis again, Drug rehabilitation but the science is unclear. Experts also aren’t clear on what causes CHS, or why some people develop it while others don’t. Since it was first identified in 2004 in Australia, researchers have looked at the effects of cannabis on the vomiting centers of the brain.

About Medical News Today

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. This phase begins with severe symptoms that intensify rapidly within a few hours 54.

Moreover, 12-step recovery programs can help in providing a safe space to share experiences, find encouragement, and take ownership of the path to one’s recovery. They help in providing the ongoing support and care needed to aid recovery and maintain long-term sobriety. Another thing that must be considered is that while not everybody who uses cannabis develops the CHS syndrome, people who started using cannabis during their adolescent years often tend to develop the CHS symptoms and condition. At the NuView Treatment Center, we provide comprehensive and personalized treatment for our clients suffering from cannabis use, including CHS syndrome. We believe in addressing the physical and psychological aspects of cannabis use with behavioral therapies, counseling, education, and social support.

With the liberalization of marijuana laws since 2009, investigators retrospectively evaluated 2,574 ED visits in Colorado and identified 36 patients diagnosed with cyclic vomiting; this occurred in 128 visits. Episodes of cyclic vomiting nearly doubled in prevalence, increasing from 41 per 113,262 ED visits/year to 87 per 125,095 ED visits per year after marijuana laws were liberalized 74. Finally, there have been anecdotal reports that changing the variety or strain of botanical marijuana can mitigate or even alleviate CHS.