Marijuana is now legal in many places, and the media often makes it look like a safe way to relax. But new research shows that marijuana can cause a serious illness called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, or CHS. This condition can send people to the emergency room with extreme nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Since 2017, the number of people going to the hospital because of marijuana-related problems has doubled.
CHS causes people to feel very sick, with endless waves of nausea and vomiting that can last for days. This makes them lose a lot of water and nutrients. If untreated, CHS can become dangerous, even causing kidney failure or seizures. Some people say hot showers help relieve the sickness, but those with severe symptoms often need hospital treatment. There, doctors give anti-nausea medicine and IV fluids to rehydrate them.
A recent case tells the story of a 22-year-old woman from Canada who died after suffering from CHS. She had used marijuana regularly for eight years and had visited the doctor several times for nausea and vomiting before she passed away. Doctors believe her dehydration from CHS played a role in her death.
Doctors think two main reasons are causing CHS to become more common. First, marijuana today is much stronger than it was years ago. The main chemical that causes a “high,” called THC, has increased a lot in recent years. In the 1990s, THC levels were around 4%. Today, some marijuana products have THC levels as high as 35%. This stronger marijuana can have a more powerful effect on the body.
Second, marijuana is now legal in many places, so more people are using it more often. Using marijuana daily, especially for people who started young, raises the risk of developing CHS.
Many media sources make marijuana look harmless. This can lead people to believe there’s no risk in using it regularly. But as more research comes out, it’s clear that frequent marijuana use can be dangerous. For those with CHS, the only real way to stop symptoms is to quit marijuana altogether, which isn’t easy. Stopping marijuana can lead to withdrawal symptoms that make people feel sick or anxious.
If you or someone you know uses marijuana often, it’s important to understand these risks. Marijuana may not be as harmless as it seems.
