Health officials have now officially recognized chronic vomiting tied to long-term marijuana use as a distinct condition, reflecting an increase in cases seen in emergency rooms over the last decade.
In October, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated this condition Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), a classification that has also been embraced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CHS leads patients to seek urgent care, presenting with ongoing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss. In more severe cases, complications can arise, including abnormal heart rhythms, kidney failure, seizures, and even death, as noted by a report from the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The onset of symptoms typically occurs within 24 hours after cannabis use.
Some users have coined a term for a troubling experience associated with CHS: “Scromiting,” a mix of screaming and vomiting due to pain.
Given the similarities between CHS and food poisoning, many medical professionals mistakenly diagnose the syndrome, leaving some patients suffering for extended periods without a proper diagnosis.
As noted by the Cleveland Clinic:
Individuals who use cannabis regularly are at risk for CHS, particularly those consuming it weekly or more often, especially adults who began using it in adolescence. Symptoms typically follow several years of chronic use before they manifest.
A recent report suggests that more cases are emerging, as indicated by emergency room visit statistics. A study published in November in the JAMA Network pointed out that around half of the U.S. population resides in states where recreational marijuana use is legal.
According to an analysis from Fox News, the findings showed that CHS-related emergency room visits surged by approximately 650% from 2016 to a peak during the pandemic, particularly among those aged 18 to 35. The authors also observed that THC levels in products have significantly increased, often exceeding 20% today compared to just 5% in the 1990s.
Reports indicate that the prevalence of CHS is likely to remain high into 2022 and beyond.
Fox News also mentioned that researchers believe that factors like isolation, stress, and easier access to high-potency cannabis during the pandemic have likely fueled this rise.
Experts believe that officially recognizing CHS will aid in future research and treatment efforts.
“This will enhance our ability to track and monitor these cases,” said Beatrice Carlini, a research associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, who investigates the negative health impacts of cannabis use. “The new code for Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome offers important evidence of adverse effects from cannabis, but we have been told that this issue is worsening.”
Carlini noted that patients often deal with multiple conditions, leading to several costly emergency department visits before arriving at an accurate diagnosis.
As per the Cleveland Clinic, it’s common for CHS patients to find temporary relief by taking hot showers, sometimes requiring several extended showers each day.
An established hospital system in Ohio has recommended a permanent solution for this syndrome.
“The only effective treatment to completely resolve CHS is to cease cannabis use entirely,” the clinic advises. “Although symptoms may persist for weeks after quitting, they typically diminish over time.”
Contributor Lowell Kafiel is a bestselling author with titles in crime fiction and nonfiction. He is the co-founder of Primary Purpose Productions, a company focusing on films that aid recovery from substance abuse.
