An analysis of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome Reddit posts and themes

The pathogenesis of CHS is being elucidated and likely involves a prominent role of TRPV1 receptors. But why is CHS an episodic condition with sometimes very long asymptomatic periods between attacks? Another puzzling question is why CHS symptoms in many patients resolve completely in a very short period of time − even hours − when marijuana use is discontinued. Gastric motility and gastroparesis must be discussed in the context of CHS. The enteric nervous system contains CB1 receptors, which, when activated, can inhibit GI motility by inhibiting the release of those transmitters that cause stomach contractions 47. This effect causes delayed gastric emptying and continues to inhibit transit through the small intestine.

Opioids, while often prescribed for the patient’s debilitating abdominal pain, are not appropriate for CHS, as they may, in fact, worsen nausea and vomiting.
If this flap doesn’t work correctly, stomach acids can flow upward and cause nausea and vomiting.
This figure might suggest the problem is more common than many realize, especially as more U.S. states legalize marijuana and higher-potency products flood the market.
During this period, you can vomit as often as five times in a single hour.

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While the evidence supporting their efficacy is limited, these options could be considered in specific scenarios where conventional treatments prove inadequate. Furthermore, heat-induced vasodilation might facilitate toxin elimination through the skin, aiding in the detoxification process and potentially contributing to symptom improvement in individuals with CHS. By Anna GiorgiGiorgi is a freelance writer with more than 25 years of experience writing health and wellness-related content. Treatment that helps prevent dehydration and loss of electrolytes can help reduce your risk of many of these problems. THC and other chemicals in cannabis also bind to molecules in your digestive tract. If you’re struggling with cannabis dependence, don’t be afraid to seek help.

What are the symptoms?

It is sometimes thought, often from anecdotal reports in popular media, that CHS is a result of poisoning from contaminants such as pesticides on cannabis and not from the actual plant constituents themselves. Indeed, the symptoms of pesticide poisoning are different chs syndrome than the symptoms of CHS. In addition, since pesticides are not exclusive to cannabis, there would be many similar cases that would not be solved with cannabis abstinence.

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In that case, seeking a structured detox or addiction treatment program may be vital for lasting health. Doctors rely mostly on a person’s symptoms, medical history, and history of marijuana use to identify CHS. You’ll likely undergo a physical exam, and your doctor might ask questions like how often you use cannabis, how long you’ve been using, and what patterns you notice about your nausea. If you’re not upfront about your marijuana use, your provider may diagnose you with a completely different issue. You could go about your day with an uneasy stomach, often worrying that you might vomit. You might experience abdominal pain, but it might be Drug rehabilitation more of a dull ache than a sharp sensation.

This causes the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone into the blood https://ecosoberhouse.com/ stream, which activates the adrenal cortex and leads to the production of corticosteroids 57. The HPA axis and the sympathetic nervous system must balance their activities in response to stressors. While stress response is vital to survival, prolonged stress increases the allostatic load and can have adverse effects on health 58, 59. Interestingly, endocannabinoids play a role in allostasis, that is, they promote the recovery from stress and help to reestablish homeostasis of neurotransmitters, neurohormones, and neuropeptides 60. In America, 22.2 million Americans reportedly used some form of cannabinoids in the past month 3.

Drug Addiction Therapies

Reports of severe volume depletion resulting in acute kidney injury and severe electrolyte disturbances with rhabdomyolysis have been reported in the literature 49.
The main goal of CHS treatment is to help you manage the difficult symptoms and to stop cannabis use completely.
Individuals most at risk for developing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) are predominantly males aged who engage in heavy cannabis use, begin using cannabis at an early age, and have concurrent substance use disorders.
The condition can lead to dehydration or kidney failure caused by excessive vomiting.
Within 10 minutes, nausea and vomiting stopped, and the person no longer felt abdominal pain.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition that sometimes develops due to the long term use of marijuana. When you use weed, these compounds bind to cannabinoid receptors found in your brain, digestive tract (gut), and certain cells in your body. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main cannabinoids in marijuana products. THC is what’s responsible for the “high” most people feel when they use marijuana. However, one study indicated that over 32% of people who identified as frequent marijuana users and visited an emergency department met the criteria for CHS. This figure might suggest the problem is more common than many realize, especially as more U.S. states legalize marijuana and higher-potency products flood the market.

Hot showers or baths are commonly reported to alleviate nausea and vomiting, providing immediate relief for many patients.
2.6 million Americans become new users each year; the majority of this group is under the age of 19 3.
As such, it’s important for cannabis consumers to be mindful of the symptoms of CHS and to seek medical attention if they suspect that they may have the condition.
Despite the possible pharmacological and behavioral therapies, the only way to eliminate CHS is abstaining from cannabinoids.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) and Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

This often leads to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment that could otherwise alleviate symptoms. The absence of specific biomarkers for CHS means that physicians must rely primarily on clinical history, which can be challenging when the patient does not openly disclose cannabis use or when cannabis use is intermittent. 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. Patients may report that hot water alleviates symptoms, causing some to spend several hours in the shower 11. Until the past decade, marijuana, specifically THC, had been largely illegal to possess and use, and its legalization has prompted new medical insights into its effects, both positive and negative.

A 2017 report published in the journal German Medical Science showed that 60 percent of people with the disorder reported that hot bathing reduced CHS symptoms. CHS symptoms, seen in cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, are similar to cyclical vomiting syndrome, causing severe cyclic vomiting episodes, with treatment aimed at symptom relief through supportive care and cannabis cessation. In the case of CHS, the prolonged and high-dose use of cannabis can lead to an overstimulation of the cannabinoid receptors in the GI system. This overstimulation disrupts the delicate balance of the GI functions, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The direct effects of cannabinoids include the activation of cannabinoid receptors on the surface of GI cells, which can influence the release of neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate GI function. The onset of symptoms was reported in 13 of those cases at a median of 9 years (range 3–25 years).

The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is a network of cannabinoid receptors in your body that respond to compounds like THC and CBD.
It tends to affect people who use cannabis at least once a week and happens more often in adults who’ve been using cannabis since their adolescent years.
The complexity of how cannabis interacts with various receptors in the brain and gastrointestinal system makes it a multifaceted issue.
In addition to frequent and severe vomiting, patients may have difficulty eating and drinking, and only find (temporary) relief in hot showers and baths.
In that setting, medical staff can give you IV fluids, add electrolytes, and provide nutrition if you can’t keep food down.

However, the use of opioids is generally discouraged as they can exacerbate nausea and vomiting. Hot showers or baths are commonly reported to alleviate nausea and vomiting, providing immediate relief for many patients. Diagnostic tests for CHS include a urine drug screen to confirm cannabis use and blood tests to evaluate electrolyte imbalances. A detailed history of cannabinoid use is necessary for an accurate diagnosis.