Unusual Case of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis with Bradycardia and Cold-Water Relief

A case report described a non-classical presentation of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome featuring bradycardia and symptom relief from cold (not hot) water, expanding the known clinical picture.

Muschart, X et al.·Acta clinica Belgica·2015·Preliminary EvidenceCase Report
RTHC-01023Case ReportPreliminary Evidence2015RETHINKTHC RESEARCH DATABASErethinkthc.com/research

Quick Facts

Study Type
Case Report
Evidence
Preliminary Evidence
Sample
Not reported

What This Study Found

This case report described a patient with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome who presented with atypical features. Unlike the classic presentation where hot water relieves symptoms, this patient found relief from cold temperatures.

The patient also developed bradycardia (slow heart rate), which is not part of the classical CHS description. The authors emphasized that non-classical forms of CHS exist and that clinicians should maintain a broad differential when evaluating chronic cannabis users with cyclic vomiting.

Key Numbers

Single case; atypical features: bradycardia, cold-water relief (vs. typical hot-water relief)

How They Did This

Single case report documenting an atypical presentation of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome with bradycardia and cold-temperature relief.

Why This Research Matters

Expanding the recognized presentation of CHS beyond the classic triad (cyclic vomiting, chronic cannabis use, hot water relief) could prevent missed diagnoses when patients present with non-classical features.

The Bigger Picture

As CHS becomes more widely recognized, clinical variants are being documented. These non-classical presentations challenge the existing diagnostic criteria and suggest the underlying pathophysiology may be more complex than initially understood.

What This Study Doesn't Tell Us

Single case report represents the lowest level of clinical evidence. Cannot determine how common non-classical presentations are. Bradycardia could have had other causes.

Questions This Raises

  • ?How common are non-classical CHS presentations?
  • ?Does the response to cold versus hot water indicate different pathophysiological mechanisms?
  • ?Should diagnostic criteria for CHS be broadened?

Trust & Context

Key Stat:
Cold water, not hot, relieved symptoms in this case
Evidence Grade:
Single case report documenting an atypical presentation. Useful for clinical awareness but cannot establish prevalence.
Study Age:
Published in 2015. More atypical CHS presentations have since been documented.
Original Title:
A non-classical cannabinoid syndrome.
Published In:
Acta clinica Belgica, 70(4), 299-300 (2015)
Database ID:
RTHC-01023

Evidence Hierarchy

Meta-Analysis / Systematic Review
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cohort / Case-Control
Cross-Sectional / Observational
Case Report / Animal StudyOne case or non-human subjects
This study

Describes what happened to one person or a small group.

What do these levels mean? →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it always hot showers that help with CHS?

Not always. This case report documented a patient whose symptoms were relieved by cold temperatures instead. This suggests that the thermoregulatory mechanism underlying CHS may be more variable than initially thought.

Can CHS affect your heart rate?

This case included bradycardia (slow heart rate). While not part of the classical CHS description, it suggests that the autonomic nervous system disruption in CHS may extend beyond the gastrointestinal system.

Read More on RethinkTHC

Cite This Study

RTHC-01023·https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01023

APA

Muschart, X; Flament, J. (2015). A non-classical cannabinoid syndrome.. Acta clinica Belgica, 70(4), 299-300. https://doi.org/10.1179/2295333714Y.0000000116

MLA

Muschart, X, et al. "A non-classical cannabinoid syndrome.." Acta clinica Belgica, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1179/2295333714Y.0000000116

RethinkTHC

RethinkTHC Research Database. "A non-classical cannabinoid syndrome." RTHC-01023. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/muschart-2015-a-nonclassical-cannabinoid-syndrome

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.