A new study from George Washington University highlights the significant health burden of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition that affects long-term, frequent cannabis users. People with CHS experience severe nausea, uncontrollable vomiting, and intense abdominal pain in recurring cycles, often leading to multiple hospital visits.
CHS: A Growing Public Health Concern
Dr. Andrew Meltzer, professor of emergency medicine and lead author of the study, explains:
“This is one of the first large studies to examine how much of a problem CHS is. Our findings suggest it could be a serious and costly public health issue that many people are unaware of.”
With cannabis use increasing in the U.S., experts believe CHS cases are rising. However, the exact number of people affected is still unknown.
Key Findings from the Study
Researchers surveyed 1,052 people who reported suffering from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and analyzed patterns of cannabis use, hospital visits, and symptom severity. The findings revealed:
- 85% of respondents had visited the emergency department (ED) at least once due to CHS symptoms.
- 44% had been hospitalized for CHS-related episodes.
- Daily cannabis use was nearly universal before symptoms began, with over 40% using marijuana more than five times a day.
- Prolonged cannabis use was common—44% of people reported using for more than five years before developing CHS.
- Starting cannabis use at an early age increased the likelihood of needing emergency care.
Why Is CHS So Severe?
People with CHS experience excruciating pain and persistent vomiting that can only be stopped by quitting cannabis use. Although cannabis is often used to relieve nausea, such as for chemotherapy patients, in some users it has the opposite effect, triggering severe nausea and vomiting.
Scientists still don’t fully understand why CHS develops in some long-term cannabis users but not others. More research is needed to uncover the biological mechanisms behind this paradoxical reaction.
The Hidden Cost of CHS
CHS places a significant burden on both individuals and healthcare systems. Many patients do not realize their symptoms are caused by cannabis and continue using it, leading to repeated emergency room visits. Hospitals can provide temporary symptom relief, but the only effective long-term solution is to stop using cannabis.
What Should Patients and Doctors Do?
Dr. Meltzer emphasizes the importance of educating frequent cannabis users about CHS:
- Many people with CHS don’t connect their symptoms to cannabis use.
- Doctors should discuss the risks of CHS with frequent cannabis users and provide resources to help them quit.
Conclusion
As cannabis use becomes more common, CHS could become a bigger public health issue. This study highlights the severe and costly nature of the condition, particularly among long-term, high-frequency users. The key message for those suffering from uncontrollable vomiting and pain is clear: stopping cannabis use is the only proven way to prevent CHS episodes.
The research findings can be found in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
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