Recently, a friend of mine, Lisa, shared her end-of-day anxieties with me. After a long day at work, preparing dinner, and getting her two little ones to bed, she finds herself worrying about all the tasks left undone. Living in California, where recreational cannabis is legal, I suggested she unwind with a puff or two once the kids were asleep.
“I can’t,” she replied. “That stuff makes me nauseous.”
Every time she’s attempted to use marijuana, it left her feeling sick, which is hardly the relaxation she sought. Just like some people are intolerant to dairy or gluten, it’s entirely feasible to be intolerant to cannabis.
A recent study from New York University Langone Medical Center has shed light on this issue, revealing that some frequent cannabis users may suffer from a serious condition known as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). This syndrome can lead to severe nausea, abdominal pain, and intense vomiting. What a buzzkill—especially since cannabis is often seen as a remedy for nausea.
With the legalization of recreational marijuana in nine states plus Washington D.C., more individuals are turning to cannabis for stress relief and enjoyment. Additionally, in 29 states, medical marijuana is utilized to alleviate pain, curb nausea, boost appetite, and reduce anxiety, among other benefits. It sounds like a miracle cure, right? For those dealing with CHS, however, it feels more like a waking nightmare.
According to an article in Business Insider, a patient involved in a study back in 2004 endured sudden onset of nausea, uncontrollable vomiting, and stomach pain for nearly a decade. The only relief she found was in hot baths—so much so that she burned herself three times before needing hospitalization. Eventually, she was diagnosed with CHS. While once thought to be rare, researchers now suspect that it may affect more individuals than previously acknowledged.
In a recent investigation published in Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, researchers analyzed thousands of adults admitted to a New York City emergency room. They focused on 155 individuals who were heavy users, smoking almost daily for over five years. Remarkably, 32.9 percent of these users displayed symptoms of CHS. Joseph Habboushe, an assistant professor at NYU Langone and the study’s lead author, was surprised by the findings. He estimates that around 2.75 million adults in the U.S. could potentially be dealing with this issue.
That’s a significant number of people who (a) are heavy marijuana users, and (b) are unaware that it’s the weed causing their gastrointestinal distress. So, why has Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome been overlooked until now? Despite cannabis being consumed for decades, the medical field has lagged in researching both its benefits and downsides.
This is not surprising, considering the federal government’s classification of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, alongside substances such as LSD and heroin. Investigating its effects could be seen as a federal crime, contributing to the hesitance among researchers and medical professionals to explore cannabis’s interaction with the body.
For those suffering from CHS, the only guaranteed remedy is to cease cannabis use. Though hot baths may offer temporary relief, as evidenced by the woman who harmed herself, it’s not a sustainable solution. “As far as we know, there are no effective treatments for this condition. Most anti-nausea medications don’t provide relief,” Habboushe explained. “The only solution is to stop. Many patients may halt use for a few days and feel better, but then resume smoking and the symptoms return.”
Clearly, further research is needed to understand CHS, why it affects some individuals more than others, and which cannabis compounds may contribute to its onset. For those who cherish the soothing properties of cannabis for everything from anxiety to chronic pain, don’t lose hope. Just like any medication, marijuana can have adverse effects for certain people. The goal is to identify those effects and develop treatments, allowing users to enjoy the benefits of cannabis. But until more is known, if you ever feel nauseated from too much marijuana, it’s best to stop consuming it and avoid excessive heat exposure, no matter how comforting it may seem.
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In summary, while cannabis may offer numerous benefits, it’s crucial to be aware of its potential adverse effects, such as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, which can lead to severe discomfort for some users.
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