Nobody likes a bad trip, but some people can have worse trips than others due to a condition known as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).
So, what is it? Although poorly understood, this condition can result in chronic vomiting every time you smoke your favorite Blueberry Kush.
Let’s discuss everything you need to know about Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.
What is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)?
Initially described in a 2004 study, this relatively new phenomenon remains poorly understood, but if you suffer from nausea and abdominal pain after smoking, you could have this condition.
It’s been linked to regular cannabis consumption, but its causes are relatively unknown. Strangely enough, it’s also a condition that can be relieved by taking a hot bath or shower.
What are the three stages of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?
· Prodromal Phase – This phase is the months and years before you begin vomiting. Instead, ganja smokers may experience mild symptoms like nausea and morning sickness.
· Hyperemetic Phase – In the second stage, every time you smoke your favorite marijuana strain, you’ll begin vomiting for long periods. Other signs may include retching, weight loss, and dehydration. In many cases, you may even think you have a serious illness.
· Recovery Phase – During the recovery phase – typically after taking a tolerance break – you’ll see your symptoms ease. It could take a few days or many months.
Unfortunately, we still don’t understand much about this condition. We don’t even know how many people have experienced CHS, but one study revealed that as many as 32% of cannabis users may have experienced it at some point.
What are the Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Symptoms?
Your symptoms will vary based on many factors, including your tolerance, how much you smoke, and the phase of your condition.
So, what are the first signs of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?
During the early phase, the symptoms will be subtle, with bouts of nausea and abdominal pain. But the condition usually intensifies over longer periods of months and years. Most people only begin to notice the condition when they start to experience debilitating symptoms, including:
· Severe nausea
· Weight loss
· Abdominal pain
· Dehydration
So, the next question is, how do you know it’s CHS and not something more serious? Scientists have discovered that the symptoms can be relieved by taking a hot bath or shower. Nobody knows why this is the case, but it shows that temperature could be a regulator for CHS.
What Triggers Cannabinoid Hyperemesis?
CHS is triggered by long-term marijuana use over months and years. Due to marijuana legalization, there are more chronic marijuana users than ever before, which is likely why this condition has gotten the attention it has.
Although it’s not the best cannabis marketing tactic, there’s no doubt that CHS is connected to the ingestion of cannabis. Whether it’s caused by THC, CBD, or another minor cannabinoid remains to be seen.
Moreover, no research shows that Indica vs. Sativa strains can increase or decrease your likelihood of developing symptoms. More studies are required to determine why some people are more prone to CHS than others.
Note that some online groups believe there could be a link between CHS and pesticide use during the growing stages of weed. However, studies have found no clear link between CHS and pesticide poisoning. In fact, the only similarities are nausea and vomiting.
But it’s always best to choose organically grown cannabis with minimal pesticide use anyway!
How Do You Treat CHS Disease?
So little is known about CHS that no medicines are available to solve the problem. As of this writing, the only way to comprehensively cure this condition is to take a break from consuming marijuana-based products.
The hot shower trick relieves symptoms, but it’s not a solution for the condition. Even after a hot shower, your symptoms will return the moment you buy a quarter of weed and smoke up some Crazy Glue.
Does Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Ever Go Away?
Yes, there’s no evidence to show that CHS is a permanent condition with symptoms persisting even after giving up your favorite flavor.
Many people who have suffered from CHS in the past have taken a long-term tolerance break and returned to occasional smoking without seeing their symptoms return.
What is clear is that this is an issue that develops over long periods of heavy consumption, so if you’re someone who only gets high at the weekend, your chances of getting CHS symptoms are minimal.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?
Unfortunately, this is very much a “How long is a piece of string?” question. According to the Cleveland Clinic, most acute symptoms should disappear within ten days of stopping your usual weed delivery.
On the other hand, it could take a few months for you to feel like your old self again. But, over time, you’ll notice your usual eating and bathing routine returning naturally.
You don’t have to do anything special other than to take a break from cannabis.
Can I Smoke Cannabis Again After Recovering From CHS?
Realizing that you’re someone who suffers from CHS can get you down. After all, spending so much time learning how to roll a blunt perfectly only for you to develop CHS symptoms can be crushing.
But does that mean you have to quit smoking weed forever?
Not necessarily. With the anecdotal evidence available online, it’s easy to see that many people have gone back to buying their usual zip of weed and rolling up some high-quality Superglue cannabis.
However, there’s a reasonable chance you won’t be able to return to regular smoking. CHS symptoms will always come back if you go back to your previous smoking habits. Instead, what’s worked for many is to switch to occasional smoking after completing the recovery phase.
It all depends on the person.
Conclusion
CHS may sound scary, but it’s important to mention that this is a rare condition unique to heavy smokers. It only develops after months and years of chronic usage, which is why the scientific community hasn’t detected it in the past.
But what matters is managing your smoking habits and only choosing the highest-quality weed. At Flavor Fix, we’re there to help you learn about different cannabis strains and how to innovate your smoking experience. Browse our guides now to learn more.
