Content
Most of the evidence on effective treatment and management comes from published case reports. People in the hyperemesis stage will experience intense and persistent nausea and vomiting. With the consumption of marijuana increasing due to the legalization of its recreational use in many states, doctors may receive more reports of side effects from marijuana use. As CHS is a newly described condition, many doctors may find it challenging to diagnose and treat. Researchers have tried to explain what causes CHS, but further study is necessary. The fundamental and definitive treatment for CHS involves ceasing cannabis consumption.
- Lipolysis from elevated ACTH triggers the release of THC from fat cells.
- Some people call certain symptoms of CHS “scromiting.” The term combines “vomiting” and “screaming.” You may have intense pain, which causes you to scream while you vomit.
- Currently, doctors do not have treatment guidelines for the management of CHS.
Risk of Major GI Adverse Events with Use of Potassium Binders in the Hospital
These situations can be effectively treated with benzodiazepines. Nevertheless, it is essential to be aware of the adverse effects of benzodiazepine, such Twelve-step program as oversedation, hypoventilation, dizziness, confusion, incoordination, and the long-term effects of addiction. Motility, mucosal hemostasis, and the release of chemical mediators such as histamine, prostaglandin, acetylcholine, and serotonin 68.
CHS is also underdiagnosed because people sometimes use marijuana to suppress nausea and vomiting. Doctors currently lack knowledge of the condition, and there are no clinical guidelines for its treatment and management. In select cases, topical application of capsaicin cream on the abdomen has demonstrated promise in alleviating CHS symptoms. Capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers, acts on TRPV1 receptors, potentially modulating gastrointestinal sensory pathways and altering intestinal blood flow to provide relief from nausea and vomiting.
Ancient Chinese texts document the use of Cannabis sativa for pain and cramp relief. The only way to end CHS symptoms is to completely stop using all marijuana products. After you quit, you may still have symptoms and side effects for a few days to a few weeks. Some people who use marijuana heavily get CHS while others don’t. Researchers aren’t sure exactly why weed causes CHS symptoms only in some people. Cleveland Clinic’s primary care providers offer lifelong medical care.
- His labs were also insignificant except for prerenal azotemia.
- The amitriptyline effect on CHS is significantly lowered in patients with continued usage of cannabis products.
- ECS affects nausea and vomiting pathways in multiple ways, as noted in Fig.
- In refractory CHS cases, experimental therapies such as benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, and dopaminergic agents like haloperidol have been explored.
- Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) can affect people who use cannabis (marijuana) long-term.
4. Pathological Bathing Behavior
Dysfunction in these pathways leads to recurrent nausea and vomiting in CHS. Potential causes of CHS include influence on the activity of cannabinoid receptors, conversion of cannabis into emetic substances, or contamination with other toxins 36. Cannabis leads to upregulation of CB1 receptor activity in the hypothalamus, which enhances the hypothermic effects of THC. Historically, cannabis has been used to stimulate appetite and as an anti-emetic. The FDA approves its use for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when other anti-emetic treatments fail. Cannabis broadly affects the gastrointestinal system, affecting its secretions, appetite, inflammation, and motility 13,14,15.
Wellness Phase
More educational campaigns targeting heavy recreational and medicinal cannabis users can help in recognizing and preventing CHS. Education focusing on early warning signs could prevent the condition from worsening. Partnership with cannabis producers and retailers to include CHS warnings on packaging similar to alcohol and tobacco products will improve awareness among its users.
The Impact of CHS
This results in elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) action on adipocyte receptors, causing lipolysis to meet bodily demands 50. Lipolysis from elevated ACTH triggers the release of THC from fat cells. This leads to high THC concentrations, particularly after consuming potent cannabis, which explains its pro-emetic effects 51. Furthermore, chronic marijuana use has been shown to impair gastric emptying, thereby causing nausea and vomiting after meals 52. This was demonstrated in a study by McCallum et al., where male participants were given either marijuana or https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/sharing-your-story-can-help-others-through-recovery/ a placebo before undergoing a radionuclide gastric emptying test 53.
- A small dataset study showed five mutations with plausible etiological roles in the phenomenology of CHS symptoms and signs.
- In patients who do not improve with psychosocial interventions, gabapentin may be used as an adjunctive treatment to aid in addiction recovery.
- Hot showers have emerged as an intriguing phenomenon in assuaging the symptoms of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), offering a peculiar yet effective avenue for relief.
- In older patients, especially those with hypertension, cardiovascular illnesses such as aortic pathology and atypical coronary artery syndromes may present as vague abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Overuse risks tolerance or, rarely, hyperemesis syndrome, rotate strains or take breaks to stay effective. For those seeking natural health solutions, cannabis presents a versatile tool. It’s not just about late-night snacks; it’s about harnessing its therapeutic potential thoughtfully. Backed by recent research, like a 2020 review on CBD’s appetite modulation or a 2022 study on THCV’s metabolic benefits, this guide aims to empower you with knowledge for informed, health-conscious choices. In two case reports, doctors used lorazepam (Ativan) to manage CHS-related nausea and vomiting. However, many experts consider these treatments to be ineffective for managing nausea and vomiting in people with CHS.
Care at Cleveland Clinic
If you’re interested, reach out to a mental health professional like a licensed psychologist or therapist. Because CHS is a fairly new medical condition, not all doctors know about it. Or they might think it’s something else, since repeated throwing up is a sign of many health problems. You may need to see a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in the digestive tract, for a proper diagnosis.
Diagnostic approach and management
Your doctor may ask you questions, like how long you’ve been using cannabis and what type of products you normally use. For example, if you smoke weed, eat edibles, use tinctures, or dab or vape THC, tell your doctor about any or all of them. In the first phase of CHS (the prodromal phase), you don’t vomit. This word is a combination of „screaming” and „vomiting.” You’re in so much pain that you’re screaming while you’re vomiting.
CHS may involve dysfunction in the sympathetic nervous system 49. This is evidenced by symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, hot flashes, high blood pressure, and tremors, often during the hyperemesis phase 49. The ECS doesn’t stop at appetite; it’s deeply embedded in digestion. CB1 and CB2 receptors line the gut, influencing motility, inflammation, and microbial balance. This positions cannabis as a promising ally for conditions like nausea, IBS, and IBD.
Throughout this phase, the patient maintains an average weight and returns to their baseline state 49. The endogenous ligands, AEA and 2-AG, are derived from arachidonic acid. 2-AG is mainly located in the brain and is primarily involved in the signaling process. AEA and 2-AG are produced from cell membrane lipids and move to the extracellular space via diffusion, endocytosis, carrier transport, translocation, and possibly heat shock proteins 28.