Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a relatively new phenomenon stumping the medical world.  Persons with CHS are cannabis users who experience cyclic nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain that can lead to dehydration and being malnourished.  While hot showers/baths are helpful, the only known way to stop CHS is for the patient to stop cannabis use.

Those with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome often spend thousands of dollars on hospital visits and medical tests before their medical professional diagnoses them with CHS. CHS was first identified in 2004.  The cause remains unknown.  Many theories about what causes it have circulated throughout the years ranging from pesticides in the cannabis to a dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system, the homeostatic regulator (brings the body back into balance) of the human body.

Leading cannabis researcher and neurologist Ethan Russo, MD wants to solve this mystery.  He has teamed up Len May at EndoCanna Health, and Chris Spooner, ND at Heritage Cannabis to conduct a clinical investigation into the origin of CHS.

The group is currently looking for people with CHS to take this survey.  Certain participants will be selected to receive free genetic testing which helps the participant better understand the needs of their endocannabinoid system and which type of cannabis chemical profile is best for them.  Personal information will be cleansed from the data and analyzed collectively.

One of the challenges of doing such research is that many people with CHS do not want to disclose their cannabis use, especially if they reside in an illegal state. CHS sufferers can rest assured this study has passed rigorous standards to be approved by an Institutional  Review Board (scientific/medical ethics committee), which is required whenever conducting clinical research.

At the clinical cannabis conference CanMed 2019, cannabis entrepreneur, CHS sufferer and the leading advocate for CHS research, Alice Moon, presented results of a survey she conducted among the participants of her Facebook group for those with CHS. She found the following:

• persons with CHS typically are daily if not heavy cannabis users.
• CHS affects people of all ages, however the largest age group impacted are between 21-30 years of age.
• Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome can occur in people who are new to using cannabis, however, it typically occurs in people who have been using for 4+ years.

Click HERE if you are interested in participating in foundational research that could lead to the discovery of what causes CHS, which is the first step in understanding how to treat it.

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Nishi Whiteley is a business development and marketing consultant turned cannabis educator, speaker and author. After seeing the relief cannabis provided her mother at the end of her battle with lung cancer, Whiteley was inspired to share what she has learned through her book, “Chronic Relief: A Guide to Cannabis for the Terminally & Chronically Ill” and her website https://mychronicrelief.com.