First Look at Cyclic Vomiting and Cannabis Hyperemesis in Mexican Patients

CHS patients were older and had higher rates of tobacco and risky alcohol use compared to those with cyclic vomiting syndrome.

Felix-Tellez, Francisco A et al.·Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility·2025·Preliminary EvidenceCross-Sectional
RTHC-06447Cross SectionalPreliminary Evidence2025RETHINKTHC RESEARCH DATABASErethinkthc.com/research

Quick Facts

Study Type
Cross-Sectional
Evidence
Preliminary Evidence
Sample
N=46

What This Study Found

In this 46-patient Mexican study, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) patients had higher tobacco use (50% vs 27%) and risky alcohol use (31% vs 0%) compared to cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) patients, though both groups had similar hospitalization rates.

Key Numbers

46 patients total (30 CVS, 16 CHS). CHS patients older (median 27 vs 23 years, p=0.043). Tobacco use higher in CHS (50% vs 26.7%, p=0.019). Risky alcohol use exclusive to CHS (31.3% vs 0%, p=0.003). Time to diagnosis longer for CVS (35.4 vs 26.5 months, p=0.016). Cannabis use reported by 13.3% of CVS patients.

How They Did This

Cross-sectional study across 5 Mexican medical centers using Rome IV diagnostic criteria. Compared 30 CVS and 16 CHS patients on demographics, substance use, and clinical characteristics.

Why This Research Matters

This is the first detailed analysis of CVS and CHS in a Latin American population, revealing demographic and substance use patterns that differ somewhat from data collected in the US and Europe.

The Bigger Picture

As Mexico's cannabis policies evolve, understanding how CHS presents in this population becomes increasingly relevant. The overlap between CHS and CVS symptoms continues to challenge clinicians worldwide.

What This Study Doesn't Tell Us

Small sample size (46 patients). Cross-sectional design limits causal inference. Multi-center but all within Mexico. Self-reported substance use data.

Questions This Raises

  • ?Why was time to diagnosis shorter for CHS than CVS in this population?
  • ?What role does concurrent tobacco and alcohol use play in CHS symptom severity?

Trust & Context

Key Stat:
31.3% of CHS patients had risky alcohol use vs 0% of CVS patients
Evidence Grade:
Small cross-sectional study in a single country with self-reported data.
Study Age:
2025 study
Original Title:
Clinical Characteristics and Associated Factors in Mexican Patients With Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.
Published In:
Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility, 31(3), 330-339 (2025)
Database ID:
RTHC-06447

Evidence Hierarchy

Meta-Analysis / Systematic Review
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cohort / Case-Control
Cross-Sectional / ObservationalSnapshot without intervening
This study
Case Report / Animal Study

A snapshot of a population at one point in time.

What do these levels mean? →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

CHS is a condition where chronic cannabis users experience recurrent episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that are relieved by hot bathing and cannabis cessation.

How is CHS different from cyclic vomiting syndrome?

Both involve recurrent vomiting episodes, but CHS is specifically linked to chronic cannabis use. In this study, CHS patients were older and had higher rates of tobacco and risky alcohol use.

Read More on RethinkTHC

Cite This Study

RTHC-06447·https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06447

APA

Felix-Tellez, Francisco A; Morel-Cerda, Eliana C; Jiménez-Castillo, Raúl A; Valdovinos-García, Luis R; Gómez-Escudero, Octavio; Valdovinos-Díaz, Miguel Á; Coss-Adame, Enrique; Velasco, José A Velarde-Ruiz; Monjaraz, Erick M Toro; Montijo-Barrios, Ericka; Solís-Ortega, Alberto A; Frazier, Rosita De Jesus; Venkatesan, Thangam; Remes-Troche, José M. (2025). Clinical Characteristics and Associated Factors in Mexican Patients With Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.. Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility, 31(3), 330-339. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm24182

MLA

Felix-Tellez, Francisco A, et al. "Clinical Characteristics and Associated Factors in Mexican Patients With Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.." Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility, 2025. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm24182

RethinkTHC

RethinkTHC Research Database. "Clinical Characteristics and Associated Factors in Mexican P..." RTHC-06447. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/felix-tellez-2025-clinical-characteristics-and-associated

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.