These days, whenever we hear the word “cannabis,” the majority of what we associate it with is its wonderful cures. While most of the benefits of marijuana may be true, one can still experience side effects — BUT, that’s the case with almost everything a human body takes in. One side effect of weed, however, may be far from possibly killing a person, but when someone goes through this syndrome, it isn’t necessarily a pleasant experience — and that ailment is CHS. If you’re wondering, “What is CHS?” — it’s not a new strain! But rather a (relatively) newly observed side effect of marijuana.

Here are things you might want to know about CHS.

What Is CHS and What Are the Signs and Symptoms?

CHS or Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is one of the side effects of long-term marijuana use. But you shouldn’t worry too much about it as it’s a rare weed side effect! CHS is also said to be a “subtype of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome.” That said, the most common — and perhaps ONLY — symptom of CHS is vomiting; because the other reported signs and symptoms were related to symptoms of vomiting.

Stomach aches (caused by repeated bouts of vomiting) were also reported by some frequent marijuana users who suffered from CHS; and so was the inability to keep food down as well as weight loss. Moreover, some people who dealt with Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome also experienced diarrhea.

There are no published studies yet that can conclude why some weed users suffer from CHS — at least not one that can be backed up with biochemistry or molecular biology. If there is, it’s most likely still ongoing, or it hasn’t been published yet for the public to read. What is clear, however, is that there’s a growing number of marijuana users who are having stomach issues!

How Is CHS Treated?

The medical term “Hyperemesis” means severe nausea and/or vomiting. And since throwing up is the widely-known symptom of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, the first line treatment for CHS is the already-practiced protocol for situations like that (when patients have to go to the emergency room). A person may be given medicine that can combat nausea, stomach pains, and vomiting. If they’ve been vomiting a lot, the medical practitioners can also administer IV electrolytes to prevent or mitigate dehydration.

However, medical experts would like to note that avoiding or taking a break from marijuana is still the best way to prevent a person from being vulnerable to CHS.

Can a Person Die From CHS?

So far, there hasn’t been any inarguable case that cannabis use has been the direct result of a person’s death. But it can’t be ruled out yet that weed wasn’t a factor in marijuana-related deaths that are publicly documented. And just because vomiting is the worst and the most common CHS symptom, that doesn’t mean death is completely out of the picture.

People with severe nausea and vomiting can become so dehydrated, that it can cause a person to die. Because when a person throws up, they’re also vomiting electrolytes that are essential to the body. And when they lack these vital nutrients, their organs can go haywire and eventually fail. But, again, if that happens, dehydration will ultimately be the person’s cause of death — not cannabis.

To Sum Things Up,

Even if cannabis can do — mostly — good things to a person’s body (especially to those who badly need it for pain control and other medicinal purposes), marijuana may not be for everyone to have in their lives. Just like with nearly every substance we encounter, too much can potentially kill you. However, we don’t know everything there is to know about weed yet — not even the experts. But what’s already proven is that too much vomiting can cause a person to subsequently die from dehydration and other factors. But if you’re worried about what is CHS going to do to your body, and how it will affect your relationship with weed, Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is rare and it’s not reported to be a direct cause for someone’s death — but can be an uncomfortable ordeal to go through!

 

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