Researchers first began describing the symptoms of CHS in the early 2000s, but it was not until recently that doctors in different hospitals around the world began defining it as a unique syndrome. Initially, it was often lumped in with other digestive conditions that share some of its features, such as cyclic vomiting.
Complicating things further, some people initially turn to marijuana to help with their nausea and vomiting. (The federally approved THC-containing drug Marinol is prescribed to treat nausea and vomiting caused by treatments for cancer and AIDS.) One of CHS’s most distinctive features is the tendency for patients to use hot baths or showers to temporarily relieve the symptoms. Ironically, other standard remedies for nausea, such as anti-nausea medications, don’t work on CHS.
Can CHS be dangerous?
CHS can become dangerous if the patient does not stop consuming cannabis and if the disorder is left untreated. Specifically, CHS becomes dangerous when the primary symptoms of the disease—abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting become so severe, the patient ends up becoming severely dehydrated.
When that happens, the patient can experience a type of kidney failure increasingly known as cannabinoid hyperemesis acute renal failure. In the most extreme cases, death can result. This is why it’s important to immediately contact your physician if you experience symptoms of CHS, and to stop consuming cannabis right away if you feel you have it. In one case,
a 17-year-old in Indiana died after struggling with CHS for more than six months. His mother, said her son was first diagnosed with CHS in an emergency room in spring 2018. On the way to the hospital, he had been vomiting so badly that she had to pull to the side of the road about five times. At the ER, doctors warned her that her son was severely dehydrated and that his kidneys were on the verge of shutting down. He continued to be a heavy user and eventually succumbed to renal failure.
There are 3 Phases of CHS
Prodromal phase
This is the beginning stage of CHS. Many cannabis users will begin to develop abdominal pain and early morning nausea, using more cannabis in an attempt to alleviate symptoms. Vomiting does not occur, even if there is a fear of vomiting. Users continue to eat normally and can take medications orally. The prodromal phase may last for several months or even years before moving to the second stage.
Hyperemetic phase
Ongoing nausea is apparent in the hyperemetic phase while vomiting episodes begin. Abdominal pain, which is present in most cases, continues. Vomiting may be severe enough to warrant seeking medical attention, potentially leading to a correct diagnosis of CHS. Cannabis users in the hyperemetic phase of CHS decrease their food intake, which may cause weight loss and dehydration. Stopping cannabis use stops the hyperemetic phase.
Recovery phase
Once a person experiencing CHS stops using marijuana, their symptoms subside and appetite returns. Symptoms return if he or she attempts to use marijuana again. Certain triggers such as stress, infections, or menstrual periods may also lead users from recovery back to the prodromal phase.
The best way to prevent CHS is to use cannabis in moderation. High doses, frequent use, and high-potency THC products are the biggest risk factors for developing CHS.