Are you experiencing severe bouts of vomiting and stomach pain / cramps? Is this occurring repeatedly? Are you a regular long term cannabis user? If so, it is possible that you have cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This is rare but only occurs in daily long-term users of cannabis / marijuana. So what is the sickness caused by cannabis?
The active substances in cannabis and their effects
Cannabis has several active substances. These include THC and related chemicals. The chemicals bind to molecules in the brain (giving you the ‘high’ and other effects of using). The chemicals also combine with molecules in the digestive system. So it can affect the oesophagus (the muscular tube leading to the stomach which contracts to send the food down to it). The combination of the cannabis chemicals and digestive molecules can also slow the digestion process down. Meaning food is retained longer in your stomach, for example. These two changes – in the oesophagus and the stomach are what lead to CHS.
The fact that heavy and regular use of cannabis can cause violent sickness was at first unexpected. As cannabis is known to prevent sickness by its action on the brain (which is why some people think it has a medicinal effect). It is possible that initial use affects the brain more – so preventing sickness. But repeated and regular use means that the brain becomes more tolerant. And the effects become more focused in the digestive tract, causing sickness. However, it is not yet known why it affects some people more than others.
Symptoms of the sickness caused by cannabis
The symptoms of CHS – severe and repeated bouts of vomiting – come and go.
The first phase – sometimes referred to as the prodromal phase – tends to manifest itself as early morning sickness and abdominal pain. This can lead to a fear of vomiting. Most sufferers, being unaware of the link at this stage to cannabis use, will continue to smoke cannabis as before, even hoping that the cannabis will reduce the sickness (as this effect of cannabis use is more commonly known). They will continue to eat in a way which is normal for them. The phase may last for many months, even some years.
The second phase is sometimes referred to as the hyperemetic phase. Nausea and vomiting become more persistent and can be intense and overwhelming. This will usually be accompanied by stomach pain, loss of appetite and weight and fluid loss (dehydration). Hot showers may help at this point as the part of the brain which regulates heat (the hypothalamus) also affects nausea. However, many cannabis users, on reaching the hyperemetic phase, seek medical help as the symptoms become unbearable.
The third phase is the recovery phase and this will only commence with the total cessation of cannabis use. Relief from the symptoms may be felt within a couple of days – but the illness is likely to return if cannabis is ingested again.
Sickness caused by Cannabis (CHS) and how to treat the symptoms
Of course, severe vomiting and stomach pain could be caused by something else. Blood and enzyme tests, electrolyte tests, urine analysis, x-rays and scans can rule out other causes. However if, when you stop using cannabis, symptoms cease, then your sickness is likely to be due to CHS especially if
- You are a long term daily cannabis user
- Stomach pain
- Severe and repeated vomiting
- You feel better if you take a hot shower.
CHS is not well known and it maybe that you will be diagnosed with cyclical vomiting disorder – especially if you do not reveal that you are a regular cannabis user. There is no diagnostic test that can confirm the disorder – only the reduction of symptoms when you stop smoking can confirm it.
CHS may require you to be a hospital inpatient to receive IV fluid to rehydrate you, and you may need treatment for inflammation of the stomach. More severe cases can involve treatment for muscle spasms, kidney failure, seizures, heart rhythm abnormalities, shock and brain swelling.
See our cannabis addiction page for more general information and advice.
There are all manner of drug addictions and all manner of other addictions one can lead to another.