Can weed make you puke? Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)

Cannabis is known to have many properties regarding health wellness. It’s also a popular alternative treatment to help with the patients who suffer from induced chemotherapy side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Experts revealed that cannabinoids in weed are more effective than traditional medications for nausea treatment. Another study review also found that more than 96% of individuals consuming weed reported that the symptoms of nausea are relieved within an hour of consumption.

But did you know that using weed can also make you feel like you wanna throw up or even throw up? 

Key Takeaways

• Weed can make you throw up, the condition is called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.
• People who use weed over a long time, usually 10 to 12 years are more likely to develop CHS.
• The symptoms of CHS are recurrent nausea, vomiting, and belly pain.
• Researchers still haven’t come up with the exact cause of the condition.
• There are 3 stages of CHS symptoms including prodromal phase, hyperemetic phase, and recovery phase.
• Not all weed users experience cannabinoid hyperemesis symptoms.
• Taking hot baths can help relieve the symptoms, however, the only way to get rid of CHS is to stop cannabis use.

Simply answer, YES to the question of ‘Can weed make you puke’ and the condition that you puke after using weed is called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome or CHS.

What exactly is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)?

“Hyperemesis” means severe vomiting. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a condition that happens when you have repeated episodes of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain after cannabis use for over a long time—however, not every individual who uses weed experiences CHS. The cycles typically last from 24 to 48 hours and the symptoms can lead to dehydration and weight loss. Those who have the condition may trigger severe symptoms when using even small amounts of weed. Researchers suggested that the best way to avoid CHS symptoms is to stop using weed.

What causes the condition? Great question.

The exact cause of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome remains unknown. However, there is a theory that may explain why. The CHS may happen after the long term overstimulation of receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) which may cause issues to the body’s control of nausea and vomiting. As said earlier, not every person who uses weed develops CHS – not even those with long-term use. But people with long term cannabis use, about 10 to 12 years, are more likely to develop the symptoms.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

Symptoms of CHS usually begin after several years of using weed heavily. Common symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome include:

• Persistent nausea – often in the morning
• Repeated vomiting and retching
• Intense abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite

The severity of CHS symptoms are depending on the phase of the condition which include three main phases:

1. Prodromal phase: The most common phase in those who started using weed since they were teenagers. They might experience abdominal pain or morning nausea with sometimes experiencing fear of vomiting but never actually throw up. The prodromal phase can last months or years.

2. Hyperemetic phase: Generally, this phase lasts 24 to 48 hours involving recurrent vomiting, nausea, and dehydration. Some may start avoiding certain foods or purposefully restrict food intake.

3. Recovery phase: This phase is when you stop using weed even in small amounts. The symptoms lessen after a few days or months and eventually, completely gone. Normal eating is possible and the symptoms can come back if the individual continues the cannabis use.

How to treat cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

You might need to visit the ER if you experience severe vomiting and there, healthcare providers may give you IV fluids for dehydration, medicines for decreasing pain and vomiting, or suggesting taking frequent hot showers. The only way to get rid or cure cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is to stop cannabis use completely. The symptoms of CHS may still linger after you quit using weed, but over time it will disappear. 

Isn’t weed used for treating nausea but why does it also cause nausea?

The research is still ongoing to come up with the exact cause of CHS. One possibility among several others is the dosage levels. Weed products today have leveled up their THC potency, about 15% to 20%, compared to earlier like in the 90s where the potency was only 4% to 5%. Another possibility is due to the reactions of over 100 active compounds in cannabis meaning that some of them trigger receptors in the brain to reduce nausea while some trigger receptors in the stomach, gut, and intestines which promote vomiting. Experts also believe that cycles of vomiting are caused by a loss of balance between the anti-nausea and pro-vomiting properties of cannabis. Many cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome sufferers increase their cannabis use hoping or thinking that it will help reduce their nausea and throwing up, little did they know that it only makes things worse.

To Sum Up

Weed is known to have the ability to help reduce nausea, it can also cause nausea and vomiting due to numerous active cannabinoids found in weed interact with the receptors regulating anti-nausea and pro-nausea. Those who use weed frequently for a long time, especially when they are teenagers, tend to develop the condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). However, not all chronic users experience this condition. Those who suffer from CHS will experience repeated episodes of nausea, often in the morning, vomiting, and intense stomach pain. Stopping the use of cannabis is the most effective way to cure and get rid of the CHS symptoms.