CHS - Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

Well, well, well...

So I personally know two people that suffer from this condition... CHS is a condition SOME people develop from years of smoking heavy loud. Let's back it up:

Most of us turn to THC to help aide with nausea, anxiety, depression, and various other ailments across the globe. But some of us do not know that CHS is growing to be very popular, especially in California and Colorado. CHS is basically when your body does not filter THC properly anymore; therefore, you form a so-called "build up" in your body. It then become "toxic" to you. You start to typically get terrible stomach pains and excessive thirst symptoms. When you finally drink fluids, you then puke up what you just put down. I know, gross, right?! The only thing that helps relieve symptoms of stomach pain and puking is scorching hot long showers. If this sounds like you, then you have dun dun dun dunnnnnnn... CHS!!!!

So I have done my fair share of research (given that I love THC for medicinal purposes), and let me tell you... there is NOT SHIT on CHS regarding treatments. There is limited research on CHS. Most hospital doctors don't even have a clue what CHS is and the symptoms. But recently, I found a few research articles on prescription "capsaicin" cream and CHS. I have found from helping close friends capsaicin cream does help with short-term relief from CHS. You do need to re-apply it every so many hours as necessary. From reading articles and helping a couple friends with trial and error, applying the cream to your abdomen, back of your arms, and lower back can help reduce CHS symptoms. For more information on CHS, Google "CHS and Capsaicin."

If you do not know what capsaicin cream is made from... capsaicin cream is used to treat minor aches and pains of the muscles/joints (e.g., arthritis, backache, sprains). Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers that makes them hot. It is used on the body topically, and causes a sensation of heat that activates certain nerve cells. It works by decreasing a certain natural substance in your body (substance P) that helps pass pain signals to the brain. The correlation of hot showers and capsaicin has to do with the sensation of feeling "hot." This is the ultimate driving evidence of what helps aid CHS presently. (There is still limited research/evidence on CHS because it is a newly overlooked emerging sickness).

Recently, I found a few articles that can help you further understand CHS:

Big Think: "Marijuana is somehow making millions violently sick"

Leafly: "What Is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?"

NCBI: "Cannabinoid hyperemesis and the cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults: recognition, diagnosis, acute and long-term treatment"

To save yourself some hospital bills:

1. Know that hot showers and capsaicin cream are your best bet!
2. Stock up on fluids and get drinking... You can also try to stay abstinent from fluids, but the excessive thirst will make you want to keep drinking. Your choices come down to: drink fluids and puke or feel like you're dying from thirst for hours and abstain. Doesn't it sound painful?
3. YOU CAN DECIDE TO QUIT SMOKING... OR AT LEAST LIMIT HOW MUCH YOU SMOKE.... OR UNFORTUNATELY REVERT TO SMOKING MIDZZZZ LOL. But ultimately, if you want it to truly stop... you need to quit smoking. It will stop the sooner you quit. I have been conducting my own personal research study on a close friend, and we are seeing if reducing THC intake would change how frequently CHS comes on. Stay tuned on UPDATES ON THIS SUBJECT.
4. Something about the THC content and how strong odor is these days affects people with CHS.
5. Limited Research on CHS yet.
6. UPDATE: Certain foods may trigger your CHS episodes (eating late then going straight to bed/eating popcorn and pizza triggers my pal).