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Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a form of weed sickness or marijuana nausea after smoking that has been increasing as more people use the substance due to states lifting restrictions.
While many states allow for some form of legal use, either medicinal or recreational, marijuana is the most used federal illegal drug in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
One common misconception about marijuana is that it’s completely harmless.
It’s true it has shown some positive health benefits for certain conditions. And some consider it one of the best opioid alternatives for pain that is less addictive than other drugs.
But users should be aware that marijuana can still cause negative problems for some individuals depending on the usage.
Aside from issues of psychological or physical dependence and addiction, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a very real condition that can have debilitating symptoms, especially among long-term marijuana users.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome – Marijuana Nausea
Though it is rare, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a condition that leads to severe and repeated bouts of vomiting after smoking marijuana in long-term, daily users.
CHS is just one of the negative side effects of marijuana users may encounter from smoking weed.
The condition is sometimes called Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome, and the symptoms appear as a type of weed sickness that users usually experience early in the morning after waking up and getting high.
Tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. THC is what binds to molecules in the brain to produce the “high” that users experience. There are, however, molecules in the digestive tract that also bond to THC.
Regular marijuana use can cause changes in the digestive system, as well as the esophageal sphincter, the tight band of tissue and muscles that open to let food into the stomach.
Over time, daily pot use can alter the molecules in the digestive tract that lead to marijuana nausea and vomiting, which are the most common symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.
Phases and Symptoms of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
The two of the primary symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome are nausea and repeated bouts of vomiting.
There are also different phases of the condition that can bring more nuanced health issues as it progresses.
Understanding the phases of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is important for recognizing the condition and getting the proper help.
3 Phases of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome
1. Prodromal Phase
The Prodromal Phase is the very beginning signs of symptoms that may start with morning sickness, feeling nauseated, having stomach cramps or pain, and maybe some vomiting.
In the prodromal period, symptoms may ease up slightly to allow a person to maintain normal eating habits. In most cases, people continue using cannabis because they are unaware they are experiencing weed sickness.
Even more problematic is that people tend to think marijuana helps with symptoms of nausea. As a result, they may smoke it first thing in the morning to ease nausea, not realizing they are in the beginning stage of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.
The prodromal phase of CHS can last for months and even years.
2. Hyperemetic Phase of CHS
In the Hyperemetic Phase of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, the condition has advanced. This phase leads to more serious symptoms that can be difficult to diagnosis if a person ignores them, is not honest with their physician, or if their doctor isn’t familiar with the condition.
Symptoms of the hyperemetic phase can include:
- Protracted nausea
- Continued episodes of vomiting
- Severe cramps and stomach pain
- Changes in diet, trouble eating, or a decrease in food intake
- Weight loss
- Headaches and exhaustion related to dehydration caused by vomiting
One strange sounding, though telltale sign that a person is struggling with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is compulsively taking hot showers.
Hot water affects the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates body temperature and vomiting. So, warm to hot showers help ease the weed sickness symptoms caused by CHS.
A common pattern can develop where users wake up, feel sick, and smoke marijuana thinking it will help with the nausea. Then they take a hot shower and feel a little bit better as they start the day.
Unfortunately, many people do not realize the hot shower eased their symptoms and NOT the marijuana. In fact, smoking weed every morning makes the condition worse.
Living with the hyperemetic phase of CHS is incredibly unhealthy over the long-term. It can lead to heart troubles, kidney failure, swelling in the brain, and seizures.
3. Recovery Phase
As the name suggests, the Recovery Phase of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome occurs when the symptoms of CHS go away because a person has stopped using marijuana.
People who have developed cannabis hyperemesis syndrome are generally unable to go back to marijuana use without getting sick all over again.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Diagnosis
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome can usually be diagnosed by a physician who is familiar with the condition. A physical examination, along with an honest discussion about the symptoms and marijuana use, including frequency and duration, will be required.
Because nausea after smoking weed can signal a number of health related issues, blood work and other tests will likely also be prescribed.
Unfortunately, cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is a relatively new condition, and not all doctors are aware of its existence. This may be especially true in parts of the country where marijuana use is strictly prohibited.
For anyone experiencing the primary symptoms of marijuana nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and excessive hot showers for relief, it’s important to see a specialist, like a gastroenterologist or addictionologist.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Cure and Treatment
The best cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome cure is to stop using marijuana, though that might be difficult for people struggling with a marijuana use disorder.
First and foremost, physicians need to treat the immediate symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.
Treatment for Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome includes:
- IV fluid replacement for dehydration
- Medication for nausea and to ease vomiting caused by weed sickness
- Benzodiazepines or anxiety medication may be prescribed for those suffering with anxiety related to cannabis hyperemesis syndrome
- Continued hot showers
- Capsaicin cream, which can have the effect of a warm shower, and may ease the symptoms for some people when rubbed on the stomach
- Proton-pump inhibitors that will help alleviate stomach inflammation
After stopping the use of marijuana, some people will find relief very quickly, while others may have symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome for up to 10 days or so.
It’s not uncommon for certain CHS symptoms to persist for several months and these may be related to marijuana withdrawal instead of CHS for those with dependence.
Some people may need to undergo addiction treatment for marijuana use disorder to give up weed use all together if they are a long-term user.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is a negative side effect of regular cannabis use that causes abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting after smoking marijuana. It usually occurs repeatedly in the morning after waking and smoking weed.
What causes CHS nausea?
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a relatively new condition, so more research is needed to better understand the exact causes.
It usually occurs from long-term, heavy cannabis use that disrupts the body’s endocannabinoid system and has an unhealthy impact on normal gut function.
The endocannabinoid system affects both the gastrointestinal and neurological pathways throughout the body. Regular, excessive marijuana use may overwhelm these pathways and negatively affect normal functioning.
Is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome permanent?
No, CHS sickness is not a permanent condition, and the symptoms generally subside and disappear shortly after a person stops using marijuana.
How long does it take to recover from cannabis hyperemesis syndrome?
Many people recover from CHS symptoms within one or two weeks after completely stopping all use of marijuana.
Some people may have mild cramps or nausea for several months after they stop using cannabis, although severe symptoms like vomiting subside much more quickly.
Each person is different and the frequency, duration, and amount of marijuana they used daily may play a role in the recovery timeline.
Can you treat cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome with CBD?
No, CBD will not treat cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome symptoms. THC and CBD both interact with the endocannabinoid system and many forms of CBD contain small amounts of THC.
Hot showers can help provide some relief and the only cure for CHS sickness is to stop using all cannabis products.
