Today, hospitals in her area around New Haven, Connecticut, see pediatric CHS cases nearly every day, she added. It’s not clear if some people are more prone to the syndrome than others. However, Camilleri said that men are more likely to develop it, as are people who have used marijuana frequently and for many years. Also, it’s possible there are more cases than have been reported, since not everyone with the illness will seek medical help or tell their doctor they use cannabis, the Cleveland Clinic notes. TRPV1, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1; TCA, tricyclic antidepressant; CB, cannabinoid; CTZ, chemoreceptor trigger zone.
Pros of Group Therapy in an Outpatient Treatment Program
If you’re in this cycle, it’s totally expected that you may feel completely fine for weeks, until you don’t feel fine. Of the entire population in the United States, about 22% them use marijuana annually (over the age of 12). Around 17 to 20 million Americans use marijuana products on a daily basis. Other theories behind rising cases include the widespread legalization and cultural acceptance of cannabis, as well as the higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in modern marijuana, experts told the NewsHour.
Getting a CHS Diagnosis
- However, in some people, long-term marijuana use can have a near opposite effect.
- Many individuals use cannabis to manage pre-existing nausea, anxiety, or pain, leading to mistaken attribution of symptoms.
- Other symptoms may include sweating, flushing, thirst, weight loss, and changes in body temperature.
- For many cannabis users, the symptoms can be confusing and alarming because cannabis is often thought to help with nausea.
People who use marijuana long-term — typically for about 10 to 12 years — are at risk of developing CHS. But not every person who uses marijuana, even long-term use, develops CHS. Contact us today to get started with a confidential, risk-free assessment. Additionally, since vomiting leads to dehydration, sipping small amounts of water or electrolyte-rich drinks can help prevent complications. The word “hyperemetic” comes from “hyperemesis gravidarum” which is a form of vomiting that occurs during pregnancy. The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
What is the treatment for CHS?
Five patients agreed to work with the addiction team and discontinued the use of marijuana, but 2 patients refused and resisted the notion that they should give up marijuana 130. Pregnant women may not be forthcoming about their marijuana use, which can complicate diagnosis 121. Maternal cannabinoid use alone does https://www.adifan.org.pe/2023/06/goodbye-letter-to-drugs-why-how-to-write-one/ not necessarily mean that hyperemesis is CHS. If you are experiencing severe vomiting or other concerning symptoms, contact your health care provider.
Duke Health
At Virtue Recovery Center, we understand the importance of accessible care. That’s why we’re in-network with numerous private insurance companies, ensuring that your journey to recovery is supported from the start. As awareness of CHS grows, he hopes more patients and emergency medical providers will recognize the signs and take them seriously. Although the exact cause of CHS is still being studied, experts believe the syndrome may be linked to how THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, interacts with the brain and gut. Although one might consider the use of more powerful CB1 antagonists for CHS, these are unlikely to be of benefit.
- Researchers believe it happens due to overstimulation of the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
- What makes it such an odd condition is that it is not readily apparent; it’s almost made to be missed.
- Moreover, the composition of cannabis itself may influence the severity of CHS symptoms.
- Based on published case reports of CHS, lorazepam could be considered as an agent of choice in the management of the acute hyperemetic phase of CHS to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting (Table 1).
- However, Camilleri said that men are more likely to develop it, as are people who have used marijuana frequently and for many years.
How effective is cannabis cessation in treating CHS?
Kelly brings empathy to an underserved population and her clients share that they feel listened to without judgement. Considering these facts, better diagnosis, treatment, and intervention are high priorities. Literature published between January 2004 and September 2012 was searched in PubMed using the terms “cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome” and “cannabis hyperemesis syndrome”. Sober living house CHS syndrome causes cyclic vomiting from chronic cannabis use and is not linked to multiple sclerosis or immune cell-related side effects. To help you transition to the recovery phase, you can try a few home remedies such as regular hot baths.
Treatment Programs
Benzodiazepines, with their gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonistic actions, inhibit the medullary and vestibular nuclei, causing anti-emetic action. Additionally, anxiolytic and sedative properties aid in counteracting the abnormal sympathetic nervous system response, helping in the reduction in vomiting and decreasing pain perception 67. Most people with CHS who stop using cannabis have relief from symptoms within 10 days. Many people with CHS will compulsively shower or bathe — often for hours every day — to relieve CHS symptoms.
- Throughout this phase, the patient maintains an average weight and returns to their baseline state 49.
- However, if cannabis use continues, the symptoms may return and worsen over time.
- People with CHS may find relief from these symptoms by taking hot showers or baths, which can temporarily relieve CHS symptoms.
- However, they are not a cure and may lead to dehydration or burns if overused.
- Mutual-help groups such as Marijuana Anonymous are beneficial to patients without access to structured programs.
Understanding CHS: Symptoms, Causes, and Misdiagnosis
Over time, the act of bathing or showering excessively can also lead to its own set of issues. Hot water helps calm the symptoms for a while, but the relief doesn’t last long after stepping out. The rise in cannabis legalization could also mean more people have ready access to stronger strains. Since high-potency cannabis can pack a more powerful effect on the body, it’s possible that even fewer years of use could lead to CHS in some cases. The truth is that CHS is only going to become more of an issue, especially as the consumption of cannabis products increases in the United States and abroad. That is why it is so important to be on the lookout for it and to determine if you’re experiencing any negative effects.
Over 90% of CHS patients exhibit this behavior 75, which is sometimes described as compulsive. The patient found that hot water relieved his symptoms better than anything else. After 3 days in the hospital (and no marijuana use), his symptoms resolved 94. It should be noted that in the case of CHS, compulsive showering in hot water is not an anxiety disorder but rather a learned behavior that the patient develops to relieve symptoms 94.
On the flip side, if you keep consuming cannabis, the syndrome often returns, and the cycle continues. If you’ve tried to quit weed in the past but found it too difficult, this might be a sign of a deeper marijuana addiction. In that case, seeking a structured detox or addiction treatment program may be vital for lasting health. During this period, you can vomit as often as five times in a single hour. These vomiting bouts feel relentless and severe, and over-the-counter medications rarely what are the first signs of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome help.