We advise seeing a physician whenever a health problem arises requiring an expert’s care. CHS is a relatively new disorder that is not only difficult to diagnose but to manage. To lower the morbidity, CHS is best managed by an interprofessional team. Probably, a crucial factor in the genesis of CHS is the composition of cannabis.
Emetic Phase
The hot temperature affects a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which regulates temperature and throwing up. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition that you might get if you’ve regularly smoked weed or used marijuana in some other form for a long time. CHS causes you to have repeated episodes of vomiting, severe nausea, stomach pain, and dehydration. You’re more likely to get CHS if you use marijuana at least once a week and have been doing so since you were a teenager.
Shortcomings in our knowledge of CHS and areas for future research
This hypothesis is supported by the demonstration of delayed gastric emptying on gastric emptying scintigraphy in some cases 6,55,62. Further research is required to investigate the gastrointestinal physiology in these patients during both the acute attacks of hyperemesis and between episodes. People with CHS also tend to have a strong urge to take very hot showers or baths. That’s because hot water can help ease cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome symptoms like nausea.
Care at Cleveland Clinic
In the brain, the cannabinoid system helps regulate several aspects of the endocrine system. CB1 receptor activation in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland results in modulation of all hypothalamic-pituitary axes 38. Receptor activation leads to inhibitory effects on the release of growth hormone, thyroid hormone, prolactin, and luteinizing hormone 38. In animal studies mice lacking CB1 receptors demonstrate enhancement in circadian HPA axis activity peaks and impairment in glucocorticoid feedback 39. chs symptoms and signs Researchers have only recently discovered CHS, so some doctors or healthcare professionals may not recognize the condition. The fundamental and definitive treatment for CHS involves ceasing cannabis consumption.
- This word is a combination of „screaming” and „vomiting.” You’re in so much pain that you’re screaming while you’re vomiting.
- In comparison, much less is known about the effects of the CB2 receptor.
- Notably, a hallmark behavior observed in CHS cases is the propensity for pathologic hot bathing or showering.
1. Prodromal Phase
This includes laboratory tests (complete blood count and differential, glucose, basic metabolic panel, pancreatic and hepatic enzymes, pregnancy test), urinalysis, urinary drug screen, and plain flat radiographic series 63,64. An intriguing point to keep in mind is that the Rome IV criteria include the phrase „resembling cyclical vomiting syndrome.” In that regard, it is important to distinguish between the two. Per the Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, cyclic vomiting syndrome is defined by having sudden onset episodes of vomiting, having at least four bouts of vomiting per hour, and often having 12 to 15 episodes of vomiting per day. These episodes of vomiting are often separated by weeks or months, and there is a return to baseline between episodes. Importantly, for the definition of cyclic vomiting syndrome, these episodes of vomiting cannot be attributed to other disorders.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) and Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)
- Marijuana has a lot of active chemical compounds called cannabinoids.
- Researchers are currently studying several treatment options to manage the hyperemetic phase of CHS.
- While the overall prevalence of marijuana use has remained stable in the United States at 4%, the prevalence of cannabis use disorders (i.e. cannabis dependence, cannabis abuse) has continued to rise 4.
- Not everyone with the condition seeks medical help or tells their provider that they use marijuana.
- Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has several well-established effects in the central nervous system, such as alteration of psychomotor behavior, impairment in short-term memory, stimulation of appetite, and analgesia 8.
- Patients are typically young adults with a long history of cannabis use.
If this flap doesn’t work properly, your stomach acids might flow upward and cause you to have nausea and vomiting. THC accumulates largely within body fat which serves as a long-term storage site for the drug 20,22. This characteristic partially explains its prolonged elimination half-life.
What are the symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are marijuana addiction the main cannabinoids in marijuana products. THC is what’s responsible for the “high” most people feel when they use marijuana. Two well-characterized naturally occurring endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol.