Content
About 75 percent reported using cannabis regularly for over a year. Research suggests that CHS is a permanent condition that can only be effectively treated by quitting cannabis. Continuing to use cannabis despite CHS can lead to potentially life threatening complications. As long as you don’t use marijuana, your symptoms shouldn’t return. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor whether a drug rehabilitation program is a good fit for you.
What is CHS?
From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you. Hot baths and showers tend to help reduce or curb the symptoms. Many people with CHS will compulsively shower or bathe — often for hours every day — to relieve CHS symptoms.
There’s a remarkably easy way to make your carbs healthier
Through compounds like THC, CBD, and THCV, along with aromatic terpenes, cannabis can stimulate or suppress appetite, ease nausea, or support a healthy gut microbiome. Raising awareness about hyperemesis cannabis syndrome is vital as cannabis use grows. Early recognition and proper treatment can help those affected manage their symptoms and improve their well-being. If you suspect you have CHS, seek guidance from a healthcare professional for the best care and support. Living with CHS can be challenging, but understanding the condition and making necessary lifestyle changes can significantly improve quality of life. Support from healthcare providers, family, and friends is essential for managing and overcoming CHS.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Treatment
But quitting cold turkey can lead to cannabis withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, anger, sleep disturbances, depressed mood, and loss of appetite. Working with a counselor and taking a tricyclic antidepressant (such as amitriptyline) “can help with marijuana cessation,” Angulo says. In a 2019 review of 271 cases, researchers found that the mean age for having CHS was 30 and that 69 percent of people were male. They also found that daily use occurred in 68 percent of people with the syndrome, and the mean duration of cannabis use before the onset of CHS was 6.6 years. A key question in understanding CHS is the underlying cause of its development.
- Let your doctor know how much marijuana you use and how often you use it.
- Because of this possible complication, it’s important to use caution with marijuana and other cannabis products.
- Identifying what is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome early on can help prevent serious health problems and improve the quality of life for those affected.
- Since the Department of Justice issued a memo that it would not prosecute marijuana users and sellers who complied with state law in 2009, hospital discharges for compulsive vomiting have increased by 8% annually 13.
- On the basis that only a small number of regular and long term users of marijuana develop CHS, some researchers suggest that genetics might play a role.
- If you have any symptoms of severe dehydration, like dizziness, confusion and a rapid heartbeat, call 911 right away.
Practical Tips for Using Cannabis
- Here’s how CHS is diagnosed and how it differs from other conditions.
- In other instances, they may be given a benzodiazepine (such as alprazolam) or an antipsychotic medication (such as haloperidol) to try to stop an episode in its tracks.
- This rise may, in part, be due to recognition bias, as emergency department (ED) physicians fail to recognize cyclic vomiting in more than 80% of cases 14.
- CB1 and CB2 receptors line the gut, influencing motility, inflammation, and microbial balance.
- With the consumption of marijuana increasing due to the legalization of its recreational use in many states, doctors may receive more reports of side effects from marijuana use.
Cannabis, commonly referred to as marijuana, is a plant from the Cannabis sativa species that has been cultivated and consumed for medicinal, industrial, and recreational purposes for thousands of years. The plant’s psychoactive and medicinal effects are attributed to its cannabinoids, chemical compounds that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Among these cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most well-known for its ability to induce euphoria, alter perception, and stimulate appetite. Cannabidiol (CBD), another major cannabinoid, has gained attention for its potential therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective effects 1.
Services and Treatments
- 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 suspect CHS or need guidance, feel free to contact us for support and treatment options.
- Instead, it modulates hunger signals indirectly, possibly through hormones like leptin and ghrelin, which regulate satiety and appetite.
- Whether you’re like Sarah, regaining appetite with THC, or John, managing snacking with CBD, informed use unlocks its potential.
Although laboratory examinations and advanced imaging studies (e.g., CT scans, ultrasounds) are often negative, they play a crucial role in ruling out other conditions. The lack of significant diagnostic findings in CHS patients underscores the importance of a thorough patient history and clinical suspicion. Despite negative workups, physicians must consider CHS when standard treatments fail and patients continue to present with persistent symptoms related to cannabis use. The most effective treatment for Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is the cessation of marijuana use. Unfortunately, the psychological and physical dependency on marijuana can make quitting challenging for many individuals.
What are the symptoms 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. Results from these case studies suggest that lorazepam might be an effective drug to control symptoms during the hyperemesis stage. Some people with CHS require pain relievers if abdominal pain is present. 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.
Complications can include severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can lead to kidney injury, heart rhythm abnormalities, and seizures. In addition, frequent vomiting from any cause can lead to erosion of tooth enamel and potentially tooth loss, she adds. Frequent symptoms like nausea and vomiting cause dehydration, fatigue, and weight loss, making it hard to perform everyday tasks or enjoy social activities. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition that affects some people who use cannabis for a long time. It causes severe symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. While cannabis is often used to relieve nausea, in the case of CHS, it has the opposite effect, making symptoms worse.
Not everyone with the condition seeks medical help or tells their provider that they use marijuana. In IBD, like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, cannabis’s anti-inflammatory alcoholism edge stands out. A 2013 study showed 45% of Crohn’s patients using cannabis achieved remission, versus 10% on placebo (Naftali et al., 2013). For nausea beyond chemo, THC-rich strains tackle motion sickness, while CBD offers a non-psychoactive alternative.
Additionally, genetic research is ongoing to identify potential genetic markers that may predispose individuals to CHS, which could contribute to a more precise diagnosis. This often leads to https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-symptoms-timeline-and-treatment/ misdiagnosis and delayed treatment that could otherwise alleviate symptoms. Despite these established characteristics, there is no definitive guideline on how many criteria are required for diagnosis. CHS episodes generally last a few days but can persist for up to seven to 10 days.