Introduction to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)

Let’s talk about something you may not have heard of—but absolutely should: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).

This is a condition that’s becoming increasingly common as cannabis use becomes more widespread, yet many people, patients, and providers alike don’t see it coming.

CHS causes recurring nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in regular cannabis users. It’s often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and can lead to years of suffering before the real cause is identified.

Whether you use cannabis yourself, know someone who does, or simply want to stay informed, this is something you’ll want to understand. Let’s break down what CHS is, why it’s rising, and how to recognize it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Recommended Product: Taking the Daily Reset Shake has been proven in human clinical trials to regulate blood sugar, lower insulin production, improve basal metabolic rate, and increase the rate of fat burning. Click Here

Table of Contents

A Quick Bit of Context
What is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)?
The History of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
How Common is CHS?
What is Happening During CHS?
How Do You Know If You Have CHS?
How is CHS Diagnosed?
Managing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) Going Forward

A Quick Bit of Context

A lot of people are using marijuana either medically or recreationally right now. Many feel that it’s helping them, whether it has to do with pain management, nausea, mood changes, or anything like that. And, if it helps them, that’s totally fine.

But there is also a subset of people who respond poorly to marijuana. What makes it such an odd condition is that it is not readily apparent; it’s almost made to be missed.

It works like this. There are some things in life where you put your hand on a hot stove, and it burns. It’s obvious. But there are other things that are deviously unclear, and you can’t really trace back how you’re feeling to what is exactly causing it.

For that reason, I want to introduce you to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.

What is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)?

There is a condition in which people suffer from abdominal pain, a type of severe pain, nausea, and vomiting, which is often made better with the short-term use of cannabis products (which include things like CBD, THC, marijuana, chewables, vapes, you name it).

Over time and with increased exposure, your endocannabinoid pathways become dysregulated. This leads to the timing between your brain and your gut being disrupted, due to the chronic exposure to cannabinoids.

In the short term, a higher dose of cannabinoids stops it. For a little bit. But the chronic, ongoing exposure is the main driver. It’s short-term relief that drives long-term discomfort.

The History of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

The first time I saw something like this medically, I was completely baffled. Someone came to me with the following symptoms:

• They were dehydrated
• They were losing weight
• They were frantic

And the tricky part is that they didn’t have any of the signs or the findings that you would most typically expect of abdominal pain. There were really no apparent issues.

It wasn’t until they confided in me that the symptoms were much better after they consumed marijuana that things started to piece together.

While this person did struggle for a few more weeks, during a time in which they completely abstained from cannabis products, they did eventually get completely better.

How Common is CHS?

Let’s start with the big picture. 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.

The trick with CHS is that it does not come on quickly. It takes time and takes around several months, but it could even take years. That’s what makes it hard to track back and identify, because you could be using marijuana products for years and experience no ill effects.

And when the symptoms are not very specific, and the cause does not make sense, this is something that can go under the radar for quite some time. This is especially true when the thing that’s causing CHS is also the thing that provides temporary relief!

It’s made even more complicated when plenty of these symptoms may overlap with other medical conditions. And that people may feel hesitant to discuss their cannabis consumption and how much they are using these products.

What is Happening During CHS?

The mechanism present in CHS is this disruption of the endocannabinoid system. This is something that both THC and CBD interact with, and that is why some believe they are helpful when it comes to digestion, stress response, or mood.

But for some people, chronic use can make this whole timing system discombobulated. And it can alter the whole motility, the movement cycle, of the gastrointestinal tract. Basically, it’s disrupting the timing, which is where nausea and vomiting originate.

How Do You Know If You Have CHS?

As I mentioned before, CHS is a tricky thing. It’s hard to know if you have it, simply because so many of the symptoms overlap, and the thing causing it can be the same thing that alleviates it.

But if you’re a regular user of cannabis products, you should be aware and vigilant. A classic one is someone who has used them for years, or someone who has recently changed to a more intense version of these products (like a medical form or a higher concentration).

These episodes may last between 24 to 48 hours, and they may only come about once every couple of weeks, so they are not happening all of the time. If you’re in this cycle, it’s totally expected that you may feel completely fine for weeks, until you don’t feel fine.

But when it does hit, it can feel completely out of control. This typically involves additional symptoms like:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Cramping

Due to these symptoms, a common temporary treatment that one may stumble upon is the fact that they feel better through heat exposure. This results in recurrent long, hot showers during these episodes, which can provide a moment of relief in the process.

How is CHS Diagnosed?

If you feel like you are struggling through the effects of CHS, how do you approach an accurate diagnosis and get to the bottom of it? Honestly, if you’re using cannabis products and going through the cycles I’ve described, you may already know what you need to know.

Ultimately, while you do need to rule out other causes, this sort of cycle may be one of the leading indicators to suggest that you are struggling with CHS.

Now, for those struggling, they may need the following treatments:

• Intravenous fluids to help with electrolyte loss or dehydration
• Anti-nausea medications

On a long-term basis, though, this is going to require abstaining from all cannabinoid products, because even products with small doses can trigger recurrences.

And that can be difficult. You may be able to go years and years without feeling any ill effects, but once it stops, it can be nearly impossible to stop. If it comes about once, it is more likely to come about every time you use it, even if you abstain for longer periods.

Managing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) Going Forward

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.

And if these things have been helpful for you, that’s fine. That said, if you start to develop these symptoms, even years later, it could be the case that you’re struggling with CHS, and the only thing that can truly solve it is long-term abstention.

Please feel free to share this with a friend or loved one who may be experiencing any of these symptoms and finding it difficult to put their finger on what is happening. This is a big, emerging issue, and the more people know, the better we will all be for it.

And if you want to get to the heart of some of your most pressing health concerns, I’d love for you to take this quiz. It can help narrow down some of the things that you may be struggling with the most and chart a path forward for your overall health. I hope it helps!