Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is often misdiagnosed as other conditions such as gastroenteritis or cyclic vomiting syndrome. It is typically seen in people who engage in chronic marijuana use. The symptoms of this disorder may be caused by the effect of cannabis on the brain, stomach, and gut.
What Causes Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?
Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition where individuals who consume large amounts of cannabis (marijuana) repeatedly experience nausea and vomiting. This condition can be caused by various health issues, including the over-stimulation of the endocannabinoid system, which is a system of receptors in the body that responds to the compounds found in marijuana. Risk factors for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome include chronic cannabis use over a prolonged period of time.
How is CHS Diagnosed?
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome can be diagnosed with a laboratory test in which a doctor will look for the presence of cannabinoid metabolites in urine or blood tests. It is characterized by severe vomiting and nausea.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis, also referred to as marijuana, is a plant that contains a psychoactive ingredient called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. It also contains other compounds that can have different effects on the body.
Hashish
Another form of marijuana, known as hashish, comes from the compressed resin of cannabis flowers. While both of these drugs can vary greatly in potency and quality, marijuana, and hashish both affect a person’s central nervous system. Common effects of these drugs include impacts to coordination, visual tracking, and the ability to concentrate. Blood-shoot eyes and an increased heart rate and blood pressure are also common. Cannabis is used for both recreational and medicinal purposes. The main reason people use cannabis is to get “high” or to feel euphoric. Cannabis can also be used to relieve pain, reduce nausea and vomiting, stimulate appetite, and lower inflammation.
What is Medicinal Cannabis?
Cannabis for medicinal purposes, also known as medical marijuana, is a cannabis product that is used as a form of treatment for patients. Cannabis for medicinal purposes can be used to treat cancer, epilepsy, chronic pain, and other conditions. Smoking cannabis can help most patients relieve the symptoms associated with these medical conditions.
Two Main Types of Medicinal Cannabis
There are two main types of medicinal cannabis products: herbal and resin. Herbal products are made from the dried flowers and leaves of the plant whereas resin products are made from the concentrated liquid extracts of the plant. Medical cannabis can be smoked or taken orally in pill form.
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Vs. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome symptoms are similar to those of cyclic nausea. Patients typically experience vomiting for twenty-four to forty-eight hours and have pain in the abdomen. Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) is a disease that causes recurrent episodes of severe vomiting, nausea, and pain in the abdomen. This condition is usually triggered by eating or drinking something. CVS is also known as Cyclic Emetic Syndrome. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a rare disorder that causes chronic nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It is believed to be caused by heavy cannabis use in people who have a genetic susceptibility to the effects of marijuana.
CHS Symptoms
CHS symptoms include severe nausea and vomiting. In addition to persistent nausea, patients may experience abdominal pain, weight loss, and an appearance of dehydration.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Phases
Prodromal Phase
People going through this phase develop belly (abdominal) pain and early morning nausea. In some circumstances individuals develop a worry and fear of vomiting. During this time, most people keep normal eating patterns. Some people use more marijuana because they believe it will help relieve the symptoms of nausea. This phase may last for months or years.
Hyperemetic phase
Symptoms during this time may include:
- Ongoing nausea
- Symptoms of fluid loss (dehydration)
- abdominal discomfort
- Repeated episodes of vomiting
- Decreased food intake and weight loss
- Belly pain
During this phase, the symptoms include intense and overwhelming bouts of vomiting. Many people take hot showers in order to ease the discomfort and pain. (This could be due to the temperature of the hot water that can affect parts of the brain called the hypothalamus. This part of the brain effects both vomiting and temperature regulation.) People often will seek medical care during this phase.
Chronic Cannabis Abuse
The use of cannabis for medical purposes has been a topic of debate for decades. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States and many other countries. In the United States, more than 20 million people have tried cannabis at least once, and nearly 4.2 million people smoke marijuana daily or almost every day. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of studies looking at the therapeutic effects of cannabis and its component chemicals on various diseases such as cancer, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, chronic pain management and Parkinson’s disease.
Long Term Marijuana Use
However, there are also studies that show that long term marijuana use can lead to significant cognitive impairment (memory loss) and increased risk of developing schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids are common causes of cannabinoid hyperemesic syndrome.
Abdominal Pain
Patients who experience CHS usually have periods of intense vomiting and abdominal pain interspersed with prolonged periods of asymptomatic periods. However, the treatment of this condition depends on the underlying causes of the disorder. It is recommended to consult a doctor to determine the most appropriate course of treatment.
Cannabis Addiction
Cannabis addiction is the persistent use of cannabis despite its negative effects on an individual’s life. Cannabis addiction is a serious condition that can lead to a number of adverse health and social consequences. The number of cannabis users suffering from addiction in the general population is difficult to estimate, but it has been estimated that about 10% of people who use cannabis will become addicted. This figure may be higher among those who start using cannabis at an earlier age and those who use it every day.
Withdrawal Symptoms
A person with cannabis use disorder can experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, insomnia, decreased appetite, anxiety, and depression when they stop using the drug.
Turning Point of Tampa
Chronic cannabis use can be damaging to an individual’s emotional, mental, and physical health. If your loved one is experiencing chronic cannabis abuse, please contact an addiction treatment or medical professional, such as Turning Point of Tampa to discuss next steps. There are a few different types of treatment that can be used in the recovery phase to help people with marijuana use disorder, such as residential and outpatient treatment programs. Residential treatment programs can provide a safe environment where people can get away from their triggers and learn coping skills to deal with life’s challenges. Outpatient programs allow people to stay at home while they receive therapy and counseling sessions. These sessions will teach them how to deal with their addiction and learn how to live a sober life, so they do not relapse after completing the program.
Treatment for Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome
Fortunately, treatments for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome can resolve within a few days. However, it is important to note that patients often have a marijuana use disorder that may complicate cannabis cessation efforts and make it more difficult to control symptoms. Additionally, they are more likely to suffer from other medical conditions, such as insomnia, chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If a patient decides to stop using cannabis, they will need to undergo counseling and treatment in order to overcome these other health conditions. If a person is concerned about themselves or someone, they know who has a marijuana use disorder, it is important to seek help right away.
Getting Help and Next Steps
If you or a loved one are concerned about cannabis use or substance use, please contact an addiction treatment professional as soon as possible. Licensed professional treatment providers can provide vital resources to assist with managing withdrawal, selecting the appropriate program, and maintaining your recovery for the long term. Turning Point of Tampa has helped individuals find recovery from addiction and substance use since 1987.
Long Term Effects of Weed
Weed has been around for a long time, but there are still many unknowns about the long-term effects of weed. The negative effects of weed do not seem to be as severe as other drugs, but there is still much to learn about the long-term effects of weed. Weed is the most commonly used drug in America, and it is a lot more common than you might think. The psychoactive component, THC is what causes the high that people feel when they smoke weed.
Side effects of Marijuana Tea
Marijuana tea is a cannabis-infused drink that can be made by steeping the marijuana leaves in hot water for a certain amount of time. It is not as potent as smoking marijuana, which means that the side effects are less intense. Some of the common side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, and increased appetite.
Antiemetics Drugs
The term antiemetics is used to refer to drugs that prevent nausea and vomiting. These drugs are also called antiemetic agents, and they work by blocking the signals from the brain that cause nausea and vomiting. There are many different types of antiemetics drugs, including medications for motion sickness, and medications to relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, radiation sickness, post-operative nausea and vomiting, morning sickness during pregnancy, vertigo due to labyrinthitis or Ménière’s disease.
Codeine and Weed
Codeine and Weed are two drugs that are often used together. Codeine is an opioid painkiller that is prescribed for moderate to severe pain relief. Weed is a psychoactive drug that alters how the mind perceives things. Codeine can be addictive and lead to tolerance, which means you need more of it to get the same effect as when you first started taking it. Codeine also has a high potential for abuse because it can be injected or taken intravenously as well as orally through tablets or liquids.
