What Is CHS and How Rare Is It?

If you’ve been experiencing unexplained waves of severe nausea and vomiting, you might be searching for answers. Perhaps you’ve noticed that hot showers provide strange but temporary relief, or you’ve found yourself making repeated trips to the emergency department without a clear diagnosis. You may have heard about cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and wondered if it could explain your symptoms. This article will help you learn what CHS is, how common it actually is among cannabis users, what increases your risk, and what you can do if you’re experiencing these symptoms, including available support for cannabis use disorder.

Quick Takeaways

• Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome causes severe, cyclical vomiting in people with chronic marijuana use, despite cannabis typically being used to relieve nausea.
• CHS is uncommon in the general population but increasingly recognized among frequent or long-term cannabis users, especially in an era of higher potency products.
• The condition progresses through three phases and is often misdiagnosed because compulsive hot showering for relief is an unusual symptom.
• Quitting cannabis completely is the only effective long-term treatment. Many people improve within days to weeks, though for some, full recovery can take several months.
• Severe dehydration from prolonged vomiting can cause serious health complications, so seeking emergency care when needed is essential.

What Is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)?

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition that causes severe, cyclical episodes of nausea and vomiting in people who use cannabis regularly over an extended period. What makes this condition particularly confusing is its paradoxical nature: while cannabis is often used to relieve nausea, chronic marijuana use can actually trigger intense gastrointestinal symptoms. The condition is thought to involve changes in how cannabinoid receptors in the brain and digestive tract respond to long-term cannabis exposure, although the exact mechanism is not fully understood.

Common CHS Symptoms Include:

• Severe vomiting episodes that occur in cycles
• Persistent nausea and abdominal pain
• Compulsive hot bathing or showering for symptom relief
• Severe dehydration requiring medical intervention
• Weight loss from reduced food intake

The distinctive pattern of repeated vomiting combined with the unusual hot shower behavior helps emergency medicine professionals identify CHS. Many people experience these symptoms for months or years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

Is CHS Rare? Prevalence and Risk Factors

CHS appears to be uncommon in the general population but is being seen more often among frequent cannabis users, particularly in regions with legal cannabis and higher potency products. Emergency department visits related to severe vomiting in cannabis users have risen significantly in states where marijuana is legal. The exact prevalence is difficult to determine because CHS is often misdiagnosed as cyclic vomiting syndrome.

Risk Factors for Developing CHS:

• Prolonged chronic marijuana use (typically daily use for several years)
• Use of high-potency THC products
• Frequent, regular cannabis consumption patterns
• Individual genetic or biological factors

Not everyone who uses cannabis chronically will develop CHS. However, if you’re experiencing repeated nausea and vomiting along with chronic cannabis use, discuss CHS with your healthcare provider.

CHS Timeline and Treatment Overview

If you’re experiencing repeated nausea and vomiting, diagnosis typically happens in the emergency department after a physical exam and discussion of your cannabis use history. The primary treatment for cannabinoid hyperemesis is quitting marijuana completely, which allows your cannabinoid receptors to reset. Unfortunately, many CHS patients visit the emergency department multiple times before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

Supportive care for severe dehydration, capsaicin cream, and hot baths can provide temporary symptom relief during acute episodes. Standard nausea medications often prove ineffective for CHS symptoms.

Health Complications and When to Seek Help

While CHS itself is manageable when properly diagnosed, it can lead to serious health complications if left untreated, including severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and kidney problems. Prolonged vomiting also leads to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. In very rare cases, extreme dehydration can result in cerebral edema (brain swelling), a life-threatening emergency.

When to Seek Emergency Care:

• Unable to keep fluids down for 24+ hours
• Severe, persistent abdominal pain or stomach pain
• Signs of dehydration: extreme thirst, dark urine, dizziness
• Confusion, difficulty concentrating, or unusual behavior
• Rapid heartbeat, chest pain, or muscle spasms

Be completely honest with healthcare providers about your marijuana use. This information is critical for proper diagnosis and effective treatment.

Common Questions About CHS

What is CHS?

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome causes severe, cyclical vomiting and nausea in people with chronic cannabis use. It’s thought to involve changes in how cannabinoid receptors in the brain and digestive tract respond to long-term cannabis use. People develop repeated episodes of stomach pain and vomiting that often temporarily improve with hot showers.

What causes cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

Chronic marijuana use over an extended period is strongly associated with CHS, although researchers don’t fully understand why some people develop it, and others don’t. High-potency THC products and prolonged daily consumption appear to increase risk by altering how cannabinoid receptors in the brain and digestive system function over time.

How common is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

CHS is relatively rare in the general population but is becoming more common among chronic cannabis users. Emergency department visits for severe vomiting related to marijuana use have increased significantly, though the exact prevalence remains difficult to determine due to frequent misdiagnosis.

What are the symptoms of CHS?

CHS symptoms include severe bouts of repeated vomiting, persistent nausea, intense abdominal pain, and compulsive hot bathing. The condition progresses through the prodromal phase with mild nausea, the hyperemetic phase with severe vomiting, and the recovery phase after quitting cannabis.

Is there a cure for CHS?

Complete cannabis cessation is the only known cure for CHS. Symptoms usually resolve over days to weeks, although some people need several months for full recovery. While capsaicin cream and hot baths provide temporary relief, quitting marijuana remains essential for preventing serious health complications like severe dehydration.

Your Path Forward With CHS

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, know that help is available, and recovery is possible. Quitting cannabis may feel daunting, especially if you’ve been using it for years or to manage other health concerns, but it’s the only way to eliminate CHS symptoms entirely. Healthcare providers can offer support for cannabis use disorder, connect you with treatment resources, and help you find alternative approaches for any conditions you were managing with marijuana.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward feeling better, we’re here to support you. Reach out to our team to learn more about our programs or start admissions. You can contact us through our online form to learn how to start your new chapter today!