In a retrospective case series from the UK, 10 CHS patients were followed for a median of 9.5 months (range 1–20 months) following counseling to stop using marijuana to avoid symptoms. Seven of the patients abstained from marijuana during this time and had no further episodes; 3 patients resumed their use of marijuana and had further episodes 120. In America, 22.2 million Americans reportedly used some form of cannabinoids in the past month 3. The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) states that marijuana mentions (the number of times “marijuana” is mentioned in a medical record) have increased 21% from 2009 to 2011 3.
- The mechanism present in CHS is this disruption of the endocannabinoid system.
- The funder was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article, or the decision to submit it for publication.
- Furthermore, the distressing and relentless symptoms of CHS can worsen the patient’s mental health as well.
The only immediate relief often comes from taking very hot baths or showers. But science hasn’t pinned down an exact formula that says, “X amount of cannabis over Y years always leads to CHS.” Instead, it’s more like a storm of factors that eventually converge. Unfortunately, until doctors uncovered CHS, many patients felt baffled by their symptoms. Now that this condition is better recognized, sharing a full history of marijuana use with medical providers is vital. Still, the condition may remain under-reported, especially in places where discussing marijuana use is less accepted. If you’ve been using cannabis heavily and suspect your ongoing stomach issues might be related, honesty with your healthcare provider is key to getting a correct diagnosis.
Does Insurance Cover Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Treatment?
In contrast, motivational interviewing attempts to build motivation in what are the first signs of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome an empathic and non-judgemental environment and emphasize the importance of self-efficacy and positive change. This approach is often enhanced by personalized feedback and education regarding the treatment seeker’s patterns of cannabis use, becoming motivational enhancement therapy. CBT and motivational approaches can be provided individually or in groups 93. Besides these approaches, secondary options such as mindfulness-based meditation and drug counseling are highly beneficial. Mindfulness-based meditation is a new approach that promotes inner reflection and acceptance of experiences and negative effects by enhancing present-moment awareness and thus decreases the impact of triggers of use 93.
What is the treatment for CHS?
Working with a counselor or entering an outpatient program can help you understand and address the reasons you rely on marijuana. Having a trusted medical team can make all the difference, from offering strategies for stress management to prescribing medications that ease withdrawal symptoms. That kind of specialized program will address what led you to use cannabis heavily in the first place. You can learn coping strategies, receive counseling for underlying mental health challenges, and practice relapse-prevention skills. Over time, these tools can help you live without marijuana and remove the ongoing threat of CHS from your https://dentistconsultationhub.com/alcohol-consumption-in-later-life-and-reaching/ life.
- Haloperidol is traditionally used to treat agitation; however, it has been used successfully as an antiemetic in general surgery and oncology.
- CHS is still not fully understood, but research suggests it primarily occurs in individuals who have been using cannabis for several years on a regular basis.
- A systematic review of 29 cases of CHS in France was reported by Schreck et al.131 in 2018.
Can CHS be treated?
Symptoms of withdrawal can include disrupted sleep, increased heart rate, sweating, irritability and mood swings, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It may be that the cannabinoid is only sort of one aspect of the way the patient is hurting that needs to be addressed to really get them to heal,” he said. Though cannabis has become more culturally acceptable and more widely legal, both in the U.S. and abroad, its regular use is still a sensitive topic.
Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to prevent these potentially life-threatening outcomes. Due to these symptoms, a common temporary treatment that one may stumble upon is the fact that they feel better through heat exposure. This results in recurrent long, hot showers during these episodes, which can provide a moment of relief in the process. CHS causes recurring nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in regular cannabis users. It’s often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and can lead to years of suffering before the real cause is identified. In this article, we’ll explore the signs and symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome or CHS.
Who is at Risk for Developing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)?
The commonly encountered resistance of CHS patients makes this recommendation notably challenging. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition linked to long-term cannabis use. People with CHS may find relief from these symptoms by taking hot showers or baths, which can temporarily relieve CHS symptoms.
Substance Treatment

This episode is debilitating and overwhelming, with patients vomiting and retching up to five times per hour, requiring several emergency room (E.R.) visits. Abdominal pain generally starts in the epigastric region and progresses to more diffuse abdominal pain. A sympathetic overactivity during this phase results in symptoms such as tachycardia, hypertension, hot flashes, sweating, and trembling 42. Due to excessive nausea and vomiting, patients are often found to have hypokalemia, volume depletion, acute renal failure, hypophosphatemia, and mild reactive leukocytosis 55,56,57. Multiple and forceful vomiting events can cause Mallory–Weiss tears with hematemesis and rarely lead to pneumomediastinum or Boerhaave’s syndrome 58. With the liberalization of marijuana laws and growing favorable public opinion about the benefits of marijuana, CHS is likely Sober living home to become increasingly more common.

Additionally, there is no specific test for CHS, so doctors rely on a combination of medical history, symptoms, and by ruling out other conditions. CHS has several phases, which have been classified as preemetic, hyperemetic, and recovery.9,16 The preemetic phase, which can last for months to years, is characterized by nausea, fear of vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. This may lead to weight loss and acute dehydration, potentially resulting in prerenal failure.17,18 The persistent nausea and vomiting can cause electrolyte abnormalities to develop.

Neither the psychological treatments nor the pharmacological treatments seem to be that effective,” he said. Doctors at the hospital ran tests and ordered scans but could not name the source of her unrelenting nausea and vomiting. It was so bad she thought it might be a recurrence of her severe pancreatitis, the illness for which she once had been hospitalized and put on life support. The condition is typically not seen in people who started using cannabis in the last 1-2 years.









