Suspected Cannabinoid Hyperemesis ER Visits Among Youth Rose 28% Per Year

Suspected CHS-related emergency department visits among Americans aged 15-24 increased by an average of 28.1% annually from 2006 to 2020.

Jack, Benjamin et al.·Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition·2025·Moderate Evidenceretrospective cohort
RTHC-06723Retrospective cohortModerate Evidence2025RETHINKTHC RESEARCH DATABASErethinkthc.com/research

Quick Facts

Study Type
retrospective cohort
Evidence
Moderate Evidence
Sample
Not reported

What This Study Found

Using the Nationwide Emergency Room Sample, over 55,000 suspected CHS-related ED visits were identified among youth (ages 15-24) between 2006 and 2020, with an average annual increase of 28.1%. Males, those in the western U.S., and those with public insurance were more likely to present with suspected CHS.

Key Numbers

Over 55,000 suspected CHS-related ED visits identified. Average annual increase of 28.1% per year from 2006 to 2020. Higher rates in males, western U.S., and public insurance holders.

How They Did This

Retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Emergency Room Sample (2006-2020) identifying suspected CHS-related visits among youth aged 15-24.

Why This Research Matters

The rapid growth in CHS-related ER visits among young people parallels rising cannabis potency and use rates, highlighting an emerging clinical burden that emergency departments need to prepare for.

The Bigger Picture

The 28.1% annual increase in suspected CHS visits far outpaces the growth in cannabis use itself, suggesting that increasing potency, frequency of use, or better recognition may be driving the trend.

What This Study Doesn't Tell Us

Uses suspected rather than confirmed CHS cases, which may include other causes of cyclic vomiting. Administrative data lacks clinical detail. Cannot confirm cannabis use patterns in individual patients. ICD coding changes over the study period may affect trends.

Questions This Raises

  • ?How much of the increase reflects better recognition versus a true rise in CHS incidence?
  • ?Is the high-potency cannabis now available driving CHS rates disproportionately?

Trust & Context

Key Stat:
28.1% average annual increase in suspected CHS-related ER visits among youth from 2006 to 2020
Evidence Grade:
Large national dataset with clear trend data, but reliance on suspected rather than confirmed CHS diagnoses limits precision.
Study Age:
2025 publication with 2006-2020 ER data.
Original Title:
Increasing trends of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in youth: The grass is not always greener.
Published In:
Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 80(4), 638-643 (2025)
Database ID:
RTHC-06723

Evidence Hierarchy

Meta-Analysis / Systematic Review
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cohort / Case-Control
Cross-Sectional / ObservationalSnapshot without intervening
This study
Case Report / Animal Study
What do these levels mean? →

Read More on RethinkTHC

Cite This Study

RTHC-06723·https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06723

APA

Jack, Benjamin; Susi, Apryl; Reeves, Patrick; Nylund, Cade M. (2025). Increasing trends of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in youth: The grass is not always greener.. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 80(4), 638-643. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.12469

MLA

Jack, Benjamin, et al. "Increasing trends of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in youth: The grass is not always greener.." Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.12469

RethinkTHC

RethinkTHC Research Database. "Increasing trends of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in you..." RTHC-06723. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/jack-2025-increasing-trends-of-cannabinoid

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.