Case study and review consolidates clinical features and treatment approaches for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, first described in 2004, is becoming more prevalent in emergency departments as cannabis legalization expands, but early recognition and standardized treatment remain challenging.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
CHS symptoms include cyclical nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in chronic cannabis users, often relieved by compulsive hot bathing. The condition is becoming more prevalent but frequently goes unrecognized. The pathophysiology remains largely unknown, and symptoms can be complicated by comorbidities.
Key Numbers
CHS first described in literature in 2004. Review covers 10 years of published literature.
How They Did This
Case study with patient interview and chart review, combined with a 10-year literature review to consolidate findings on clinical characteristics, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment approaches.
Why This Research Matters
CHS is likely underdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary and costly workups. Better recognition by emergency clinicians could improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabis use becomes more widespread and products become more potent, CHS is expected to become an increasingly common emergency department presentation that all acute care clinicians should recognize.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case study supplemented with narrative review; CHS pathophysiology remains poorly understood; no standardized diagnostic criteria or treatment protocols exist.
Questions This Raises
- ?What mechanism causes chronic cannabis use to trigger CHS in some users but not others?
- ?Why does hot bathing provide temporary relief?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- CHS, first described in 2004, is increasingly seen in EDs as cannabis legalization expands
- Evidence Grade:
- Single case report with narrative literature review; no systematic methodology.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2020.
- Original Title:
- Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: A case study and discussion.
- Published In:
- Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 32(3), 269-276 (2020)
- Authors:
- Creedon, Eliza S, Maloy, Melony K, DelloStritto, Rita A
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02483
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
CHS is a condition affecting some chronic cannabis users characterized by cyclical episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. A distinctive feature is that symptoms are often temporarily relieved by hot bathing. Cessation of cannabis use typically resolves the condition.
How common is CHS?
The exact prevalence is unknown because CHS is frequently misdiagnosed. It is becoming more commonly recognized in emergency departments as cannabis use increases, but many cases likely go undiagnosed or are attributed to other causes of cyclical vomiting.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02483APA
Creedon, Eliza S; Maloy, Melony K; DelloStritto, Rita A. (2020). Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: A case study and discussion.. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 32(3), 269-276. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000215
MLA
Creedon, Eliza S, et al. "Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: A case study and discussion.." Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000215
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: A case study and discussio..." RTHC-02483. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/creedon-2020-cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome-a
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.