Often mistakenly called Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome, Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is a rare form of cannabinoid toxicity that develops in chronic smokers. It’s characterized by cyclic episodes of debilitating nausea and vomiting. People who suffer from the syndrome often find that hot showers relieve their symptoms, and will compulsively bathe during episodes of nausea and vomiting. Symptoms stop after cessation of cannabis use.
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome is different from Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome—though the symptoms are very similar. Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome is not caused by cannabis consumption.
This may sound scary, but it’s very rare. I’ve known many heavy smokers all my life and have only recently heard of it through research online. People are blaming the recent and increasing popularity of dabs for Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), but CHS has been around since way before concentrates were popular. An Australian clinical study from 2004 looked into the syndrome in a group of 10 patients suffering from CHS, and all were marijuana smokers, not dabbers.
CHS develops in heavy, longtime consumers of cannabis; there is generally daily use in excess of three to five times a day for many years before the appearance of symptoms. A clinical study from Philadelphia, PA states that the average duration of cannabis use before the onset of symptoms was around 16 years, and the earliest symptoms had developed in a patient was after around three years of smoking weed.
People who suffer from CHS often find that hot showers alleviate their symptoms, and this provides another clue for the cause of the syndrome. According to the study from Philadelphia, “hot bathing may act by correcting the cannabis induced disequilibrium of the thermoregulatory system of the hypothalamus.”
While cannabis is revered for its nausea-calming (antiemetic) properties, it’s paradoxical that it causes severe nausea and vomiting in certain people. Due to its widely known antiemetic properties, people who develop CHS will often increase the amount of cannabis they consume in hopes that it will cure the nausea, but it never helps. It goes to show how little we know about not only about the body, but also about the interaction between cannabis and cannabinoid receptors.
CHS is a very rare syndrome and is easily cured by stopping the consumption of cannabis. This should not, by any means, hurt marijuana’s reputation for being the safest recreational drug around, but people need to be aware of the syndrome’s existence. If you know anyone with these symptoms tell him or her go to a doctor and stop smoking.
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I'm glad this condition is starting to gain awareness. I know 2 people whom I know suffer from this and fit the symptoms to a 'T' (vommiting, hot showers, etc). Both are extremely heavy users and refuse to quit or even reduce their intakes. Neither can hold down jobs and frequent the ER 5 to 6 times a year. It's hard to watch and be around because their moods are so negatively polarized during these episodes. I used to smoke as much as them but never felt CHS symptoms ever. I have since quit all together by choice and for me it has been one of the best decisions I've made. However, not against the use for medical reasons or even for private casual use. I just hope my brother and friend will wake up and listen to their bodies, doctors and articles like this to improve their healths and live a little more fulfilling life.
Hey guys I've literilly spent the last few days in hospital and they are thinking it is thins.. only problem is this has been going on for about 8 months for me and if I don't smoke I vomit every 15-20 mins no nausea tablets are helping I've already lost 23KGs what has others done to help with there symptoms because this is horrible
I was in the same exact boat as you a few days ago... I was constantly vomiting and it landed me in the ER. it was such a painful decision to stop cold turkey and the first 2 days were rough.... but once you get through it you will recover very fast. I promise it is so worth it. I'm on day 4 no nausea and I feel 100% better. I plan on returning to smoking but not as much. I really hope you recover. You'll definitely come out a warrior!
I was told a month ago after four times in urgent care and once to er in same amount of days. The last day a doctor finally asked me if I smoked pot. Of course I said yes. I was so sick constantly vomiting and my stomach wouldn't stop hurting. The first week I lost 17 lbs. The second week 15 more. My symptoms fit to a tee. I've smoked for over 35 years. I've quit several times. When I got bone cancer I really started to smoke more and only oil.I sent my story to a local news station and they came to my house last week and did a story. This needs to get out to all pot smokers. It's real. And it's bad. I was trying to smoke the high cbd. That's what put me over. When I started Rick Simpson oil. The next day it started and laser 2 weeks. And no you can't eat or hardly drink. The whole time I can only sleep about 3 hours a day. The showers and pacing and rolling myself in a ball to feel better. It sucks. But. It's been a little over a month and I haven't smoked or eaten any pot. Never again. I just want people to be aware it can make you very sick.
Thanks chris your symptoms sound exactly like mine are it's horrible. I've now left my life in Australia and moved back to New Zealand to be around the family and it's alot less stressful but hell I had no idea this was a thing and my friends who are also high users dont understand. People need to understand weed is amazing in moderation just like anything and people need to know about the warning signs!! Would love to see your article
Welcome Loran. I just called the channel 12 news guy that did the story. He said he's done with the story but it's not yet on the calendar. He's to let me know. Then I'll try to put it on hear somehow. Hope your feeling better. Glad your with family. I couldn't imagine feeling so bad alone. It's really sad to have to quit but it's just not worth it.
marydomagalski1
Good for you. My oldest daughter went to ER 4 times this week. She’ll be so agitated she can’t wait her turn. She’ll leave and a few hours later someone or an ambulance is taking her back to hospital. She normally goes for the dehydration her vomiting causes. She was diagnosed with this syndrome about 10-12 years ago. Pitiful. She’s a 24/7 smoker for most of 15 years.
Hi thanks for replying. Did you find it hard to eat properly again for a while after.. my condition has been going on a solid 8 months and they have only just suspected this so I'm pretty worse for wear im on day 4 now of cutting right back to 2 smokes a day vomiting has stopped and have just started being able to eat small portions. Also has anyone else noticed a bubbly kind of sensation where they usually get the pain after they cut right back/stop?
How much weight is23KGs
I have this. Been smoking heavy for two decades plus a few years. I'm a chronic ER visitor, usually for extreme nausea that zofran won't even stop. I've been told by a substance abuse counselor and two ER doctors that I have CVS. I didn't believe it at first. I'm two weeks off Mary J now. It sucks quitting but I'm trying it out I guess. I wonder if I can still intake THC and just not smoke? I'm eating some Dogg Treats right now so we'll see!
Well? Were edibles ok?
No. Read my comment please.
My mistake. What are Dogg Treats? I assumed it was an edible pushed by snoop dogg :-)
I am so happy that I found and read this article! I have been suffering with this for years! Surgeries, meds, ER visits and numerous tests! It has been so hard. Thank you so much for this info, I am taking this to my doctors today! Thank you!
Just got out of the hospital today. I've been diagnosed w this a few months ago after 3 years of stumping doctors. The compulsive bathing (in my case) causes acute kidney injury & leads to 3-5 day hospital stays. After 20 years of anywhere from 1-5 grams a day of ridiculous high quality weed I started getting sick most days when I woke up.
I've cut down to a gram a day & 1.5 on weekends but still occurs usually with no warning of the onset. Zero to projectile vomiting in 1.1 seconds. I don't want to live sober but when the other option is eventual dialysis then the kidneys win out over the pot. Seriously tho this can kill you if you don't get medical attention when it's severe
Hi there. I was just wondering... If you have CHS but are still smoking the greenery are you sick every day? Or when you smoke are you sick right away? Is there something that triggers the vomiting and ER trips? Sorry for the questions I'm just confused how you can continue to smoke if your body has a negative reaction to THC.
It doesn't happen every day. I'll be perfectly fine for 3 months or so and then it'll hit with no warning besides a slight headache about 15 minutes before. I was smoking too much though, a large joint of 20%+ thc to myself every 90 minutes for 16 hrs daily, so now I've doubled my work schedule and can't smoke for at least 12 hrs to see if that'll make it stop. So far so good, but if it happens again I'll just quit.
Thank you so much for responding. My boyfriend was hospitalized three times this year already for vomiting and upon the news that he smokes he is told he has CHS right away. Having never heard of it and all I am just full of questions. What you say makes sense and does fit. However, if i may ask one more: when you end up sick did you happen have an elevated white blood cell count? That part always gets me. My man has a crazy WBC which would indicate an infection not CHS but I'm no doctor. Thanks again for your time. You are a true saver of a worried soul.
I vaped 24/7 for about 6 years and i got gastroparesis. Now wheither or not it caused it. I dont know. I believe it was the bing eating on take out and fast food that more than likely did it. I was 310 pounds 6 months ago. I am now 245. I assume it a good thing because as long as i can stay away from fast food and refrain from binge eating. Should be fine. The key thing to note is that cannabis suppresses the nervous system in such a way that it will relax the stomach muscles for some with chronic symptoms. In others like mine I'd asume pot clenches my stomach by supressing the vagus nerve. Lets be real though. I am no doctor but all i can say is pot may not cause it but can impact gastroparesis negatively and some positively
I was a long term smoker (20+ years) for chronic migraines. I have had 6 or 7 episodes now of CHS. This last one almost killed me. Could not get reset at the ER and stop. Went on for 8 days and 5 ER visits. I have developed gastroparesis as well as ibs. No one in my family has these conditions. My diet was relatively good and my weight low and found it very hard to put on and keep weight on.
I'm thinking there's a connection between the heavy use for 20+ years and all this.
I'm wondering if anybody has symptoms that are more similar to mine. About 3 months ago I started having episodes about 2-3 times a week where I would wake up sick to my stomach. I would have consistent nausea during this time and usually vomit every hour or so depending on how much was in my stomach. By mid afternoon I am symptom free. I've only been smoking regularly for about the past 8-10 months or so. Since my symptoms have started, there's been times where I haven't smoked for a week or two, yet I don't always experience relief. All the doctors have blamed it on my antidepressants which have been changed multiple times with no success. My therapist was actually the one to suggested CHS, but my symptoms don't seem to be a perfect match. Especially since I haven't been smoking long.
I have CHS, been a heavy smoker for 8 years. Developed after 3 years, have to quit for a month or 2 when nausea/vomiting become too frequent. I know i should quit permanently but im in love with Mary.
Hi there. I was just wondering... If you have CHS but are still smoking the greenery are you sick every day? Or when you smoke are you sick right away? Is there something that triggers the vomiting and ER trips? Sorry for the questions I'm just confused how you can continue to smoke if your body has a negative reaction to THC. My boyfriend sounds very much like being a heavy smoke who loves Mary ;) you and i am just not convinced that CHS is the answer since he comes home from the hospital smokes and is fine for months... does this also sound like you?
So... this happens when you have to much... just like Alcohol... change the kind of bud or switch to oils..
It happens because the receptors in the brain become damaged. Switching how you get the TCH (eating, smoking, etc) makes no difference. If someone wants to never have another episode then they never put that substance in their body again. Period.
The question I have is why is this only coming up in the past decade, and not known or heard of decades ago? I'm sure it could be due to misdiagnosis over the years, but cannabis has been consumed for centuries. So, why now? Is it pesticides? Potency levels? Is it due to growing methods? Could variation in terpenes and other compounds due to current growth methods be causing it? Could it be due to interactions with types of food (and their pesticides or growing methods), other medications, etc.?
I'm not saying that CHS is caused from cannabis. And I'm not discounting people's personal experiences. Although, please recall that correlation does not imply causation.
My concern is that there seems to be little information out there, and people are starting to turn this into another "reefer madness" campaign. Which is made worse since there are lots of questions and few answers. I hope sufficient studies will be done to find out what is really happening.