In this study, we focus on Reddit, a popular publicly available user-driven discussion platform structured around communities called subreddits that offers user anonymity. Reddit hosts a large active community dedicated to the discussion of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, with over 11,900 active members as of January 2023 13. To better understand patient needs and experiences with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, we sought to describe themes discussed in the Reddit online community. Additionally, we conducted a focused evaluation of reported triggers and therapies for symptomatic cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome episodes in posts to guide patient-centered care approaches including treatment strategies and future research directions. Cannabis is the most commonly abused drug in the United States (US). However, our understanding of its effects has unfolded significantly over the last 3 decades.
- Additionally, the urge for hot showers to relieve symptoms may relate to how the body manages temperature and discomfort.
- If you use cannabis often and frequently experience vomiting and nausea, you should tell a healthcare professional.
Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: an update on the pathophysiology and management
A machine learning model was trained using the manually categorized data to automatically classify the themes for the rest of the posts so that their distributions could be quantified. Reddit hosts a large active community of members dedicated to the discussion of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. We sought to describe common themes discussed and the most frequently mentioned triggers and therapies for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome exacerbations in the Reddit online community. Cannabinoids are compounds in the Cannabis sativa plant that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your brain, spinal cord, gastrointestinal tract and other body tissues. Examples of cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
ECS and CHS
The symptoms of CHS include severe nausea, repeated vomiting, and stomach pain. The symptoms of CHS can be debilitating, and they can last for what is alcoholism several days. While marijuana seems to bring on nausea in the stomach, in the brain it usually has opposite effect. When cannabinoids bind with brain receptors, they tend to prevent nausea and vomiting. Experts think that when you first smoke weed, your brain signals are more important, but after repeated use of the drug, the brain receptors may no longer respond to marijuana in the same way, causing more nausea and vomiting.
What is the treatment for cannabinoid hyperemesis treatment?
Diagnosing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) can be challenging because its symptoms, like severe nausea and vomiting, are common in many conditions. However, certain patterns can help doctors identify CHS more accurately. Here’s how CHS is diagnosed and how it differs from other conditions. Through a holistic and individualized treatment regimen, healthcare providers can navigate the challenges of CHS, offering hope and relief to those affected by this puzzling condition. If you have cannabis use disorder and need help quitting, professional treatment is available. The treatment of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome typically involves stopping cannabis use and managing symptoms.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Management
A thorough history, physical examination and directed testing of differential diagnoses may assist in ruling out these diagnoses. The Rome IV criteria provide some objectivity to help with the diagnosis by placing CHS under the heading of functional gut-brain disorders, and consider it as a variant of CVS (Table 2). Venkatesan et al have proposed a new criterion for CHS with the use of clinical features, cannabis use patterns including duration and frequency, and symptoms resolution after at least 6 months of cessation 48. However, questions remain about the dosage of cannabis, individual and genetic susceptibility, abstinence period and the inclusion of abdominal pain as a criterion.
Trigger food list taken from the Recovery from Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Facebook group
Understanding what triggers cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) can help those affected make better decisions about their cannabis use. CHS is linked to heavy or long-term cannabis use, and while the exact cause is still being studied, there are several potential mechanisms and risk factors that may lead to this condition. Knowing these can help marijuana users recognize the signs early, seek appropriate treatment, and avoid further complications. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition that affects some people who use cannabis, especially over a long period.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Doctors at the hospital ran tests and ordered scans but could not name the source of her unrelenting nausea and vomiting. It was so bad she thought it might be a recurrence of her severe pancreatitis, the illness for which she once had been hospitalized and put on life support. Experts believe only a fraction of habitual cannabis users develop CHS. But because CHS is a somewhat newly discovered what is chs condition that was first diagnosed in 2004, some people may be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
- Treatment content on Reddit reflected the medical literature, including mentions of hot water bathing, topical capsaicin cream, and dopamine antagonists as frequent treatment approaches for acute episodes 22–24.
- Doctors often treat CHS patients who seek help at hospitals with fluids.
- Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a very unpleasant — and potentially dangerous — complication of long-term marijuana use.
- The recent spikes illustrate the growing interest and awareness of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome among the members of the online forum.
- One theory is that frequent cannabis use leads to the buildup of cannabinoids in the body, which can affect the endocannabinoid system and trigger symptoms of CHS.
Treatment of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
Tylenol (acetaminophen) for abdominal pain according to the package instructions. Do not exceed the recommended dose on the package – the “therapeutic dose” and “toxic dose” of Tylenol are very close to each other. Avoid ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve) and other NSAIDs, as they are notoriously hard on your stomach even when healthy. The exact causes of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome remain unknown, but researchers have proposed several theories.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) and the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) in Adults
Patients may require hospitalization to manage dehydration, preventing further nausea and vomiting, and electrolytes may be prescribed to manage symptoms. In severe cases, patients may also require intravenous fluids and electrolytes. When you use marijuana for many years, it can start to slowly change how the receptors in your body respond to the cannabinoid chemicals. For example, the drug affects the receptors in the esophageal sphincter, the tight band of muscle that opens and closes to let food go from your throat to your stomach. If this flap doesn’t work properly, your stomach acids might flow upward and cause you to have nausea and vomiting.