Ironically, one of the potential complications of long-term cannabis use is a condition called cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a very unpleasant — and potentially dangerous — complication of long-term marijuana use. Because of this possible complication, it’s important to use caution with marijuana and other cannabis products. If you think you have CHS or cannabis use disorder, talk to a healthcare provider.
What are other impacts of cannabis use?
It’s still possible to develop CHS if you use cannabis for many years without having any problems. Ceasing and abstaining from the use of cannabis is the only treatment that relieves and prevents symptoms of CHS, according to a systematic review on CHS management. While it is possible to return to feeling normal during the recovery phase, research indicates that symptoms recur if cannabis use resumes. But it’s also important to acknowledge the positive uses of marijuana, Camilleri said. He noted a 72-year-old patient who uses cannabis to help her sleep.
- Treatment that helps prevent dehydration and loss of electrolytes can help reduce your risk of many of these problems.
- In addition to appropriate antiemetic therapy, fluid resuscitation, and management of the patient’s symptoms, patients must recognize behaviors and exposures that place them at risk for their pathology.
- Probably, a crucial factor in the genesis of CHS is the composition of cannabis.
- CHS typically only occurs in patients who have used the substance chronically and consistently for several years.
- The Rome IV criteria list CHS as a subset of cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS).
- Once the proper dose of CBD is found, the individual is able to continue CBD without side effects.
CHS Symptoms
The use of lorazepam for CHS is also off-label, so a person’s doctor would need to make them aware of this fact. Currently, doctors do not have treatment guidelines for the management of CHS. Most of the evidence on effective treatment and management comes from published case reports.
What are the symptoms of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome?
- These supportive treatments can help people during the hyperemesis stage of the condition, but recovery depends on the person stopping their use of marijuana.
- However, researchers have yet to determine the cause of CHS since it does not affect all users of marijuana.
- In women, a pregnancy test is necessary to assess for any pregnancies, especially ectopic pregnancies.
While any amount of long-term cannabis use can lead to CHS, daily cannabis use seems to be more likely to cause CHS than using it less often. If symptoms persist and you continue to use cannabis, you may experience more severe problems that require hospitalization for treatment. They can begin as mild problems that make you feel sick in the morning. Belly pain and a sense that you are going to vomit are also common. He also warned that people with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, should be cautious about marijuana use, as studies show cannabis can exacerbate the effects of those illnesses. Neither the psychological treatments nor the pharmacological treatments seem to be that effective,” he said.
Can CBD cause CHS?
When Dr. Deepa Camenga began her career about 20 years ago, she rarely if ever saw pediatric patients with CHS, she said. Today, hospitals in her area around New Haven, Connecticut, see pediatric CHS cases nearly every day, she added. There’s no cure for this syndrome, with the only known, surefire treatment being abstinence from marijuana. As the laws regarding the possession and use of marijuana change, CHS may become more prevalent because more people will have legal access to the drug.
Symptoms of CHS typically come on several years after the start of chronic marijuana use. If you’re a cannabis user, it’s important to know how to properly detox from THC in case of a drug test. Contact your physician right away if you experience symptoms of CHS, and stop consuming cannabis. cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome It’s important to note that there are very few epidemiological studies regarding the prevalence of CHS. More research is needed before researchers can come to concrete conclusions about the condition. THC and other chemicals in cannabis also bind to molecules in your digestive tract.
How long does it take to develop CHS?
For supportive care, a clinician should work together with the pharmacist to see if any medications could contribute to the patient’s presentation. If administering antiemetics, the nursing staff should be familiar with the adverse event profile so they can report any concerns that may arise. There are multiple hypotheses regarding the pathophysiology of CHS; however, because of the multitude of active chemicals in cannabis and the existence of various sites of action, the definitive pathophysiological process is unknown. Additionally, not all cannabis users develop CHS, causing further difficulty in describing the syndrome. The only reliable and definitive way of managing and treating the disorder is cessation of marijuana use.
- However, with repeated use in some people, it can have the opposite effect on the digestive tract.
- In two case reports, doctors used lorazepam (Ativan) to manage CHS-related nausea and vomiting.
- He had learned this behavior after experiencing previous episodes of self-limited nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- “Cannabinoid” refers to cannabis (marijuana) and “hyperemesis” is a word meaning “prolonged vomiting.”
- The only definitive treatment of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is the removal of cannabis exposure, which may ultimately require extensive coordination between the committed patient, an empathic and dedicated primary care physician, and appropriate substance use counseling and resources.