Do you need to worry about your cannabis use? Study reports new details on CHS

By Andrew Ward

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a rare condition believed to cause persistent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in cannabis users. The condition can last for days or weeks and return for months. The origin of CHS remains uncertain.

Awareness of the condition has grown in recent years, which was first mentioned in a laboratory study in 2004. Still, some continue to push for CHS as a disease, questioning its severity, or sometimes viewing it as a misdiagnosis. Proponents of the disease’s legitimacy cite support from leading hospitals, including Cedars Sinai, and studies from the Mayo Clinic.

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A resident of Austin, Texas Study published on Tuesdayanalyzes the underlying genetic mutations in heavy cannabis flowers and focuses consumers on trying to better understand and identify the genetic markers of the disease.

Using the “largest contemporary database”, the study compared CHS diagnoses and symptoms of cannabis users.

RELATED: A Brief Review of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

The analysis contributes to an incrementally growing study pool. “CHS is remarkably stereotypical in its presentation,” notes the study, indicating that almost 75% of CHS patients have been consumers for at least a year and all have had recurrent severe nausea, vomiting, and other possible side effects for several months.

Key insights and breakthroughs

Analysts concluded that their research is the first to “identify associated mutations in genes that affect neurotransmitters, the endocannabinoid system, and the cytochrome P450 complex associated with cannabinoid metabolism.”

RELATED: Federal Health Professionals Raise Concerns About Strong Marijuana

In a press release, CReDO science CEO and study coordinator, Dr. Ethan Russo, “These important preliminary findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge, stimulate further investigation, help to elucidate the pathophysiology of CHS and ultimately guide future treatment.”

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Len May, CEO of Endocanna Health, also co-head of the study.

The results come from a pool of 585 respondents who use cannabis heavily in an online survey. Of the subjects, 28 patients and 12 controls completed the genome test.

RELATED: Let’s Talk About The “New” Syndrome Where Cannabis Users Cannot Stop Puking

Although the final pool was smaller than expected, the researchers believe more results will be achieved through ongoing questionnaire submissions and testing, said CReDO scienceCOO Nishi Whiteley.

Next steps: CHS treatment

Whiteley added that the company is reviewing its next steps, with the current high priority being “to develop treatments that are affordable, sensible for the patient and provide immediate relief.”

The study revealed options for alleviation, which, however, did not appear consistent at this point in time.

Whiteley added that the results showed that a consistent remedy in the study wasn’t working. Instead, different options have shown promise, depending on the person and the side effects they were experiencing.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and was republished with permission.