Chronic cannabis use, vomiting and compulsive bathing—symptoms of a hidden syndrome

Medical Xpress / JAMA Network Open ^ | Dec. 3, 2025 | Justin Jackson / James A. Swartz et al

[ConservativeMind]

Researchers have found that cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a vomiting condition tied to chronic cannabis use, rose sharply in US emergency departments between 2016 and 2022 and has stayed elevated.

As of June 2025, nearly half of US residents live in states with legalized recreational cannabis, and policy shifts have expanded adult-use access through legalization, medical programs, and decriminalization. Among cannabis-related harms, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) has been described as a growing concern in clinical and public health settings.

CHS was first identified in 2004 in Australia and remains a syndrome with uncertain etiology. Proposed neurophysiological mechanisms include downregulation of cannabinoid 1 receptors, altered transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 signaling, and disrupted hypothalamic thermoregulation.

CHS has three defined phases. The first two include a prodromal phase of abdominal pain or morning nausea which can last for months or years at a time, and a hyperemetic phase, lasting a few days with recurrent vomiting and potential escalation to "scromiting" where screaming in pain while vomiting can occur.

Within these phases, people with CHS tend to bathe compulsively in hot water, often for hours at a time, as it can relieve symptoms.

In a third, recovery phase, abstinence from cannabis reduces symptoms within a few days or months. Eventually, they will completely disappear.

The existence of CHS was a mystery to clinicians until very recently. Patients with CHS frequently appear in emergency departments and are often tested unnecessarily for a wide variety of conditions, misdiagnosed with cyclic vomiting syndrome or assigned nonspecific gastrointestinal conditions.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Same in my state.

No ads for tobacco, because that is bad for you and it is, the billboards for alcohol are restrained with a note to "drink responsibly" but cannabis? Lots of billboards telling you to get high man, baked is best and offering home delivery.

And I am seeing more and more people openly filming themselves doing things while high that are probably not very wise.

And what really worries me is the ones where they are giving it to someone else without their consent. That is not funny. That is assault.

Like I said, I don't think this ends well for the country as a whole. But people are addicted to their intoxicants of choice so nothing I can do.

[wardaddy]

Yes pot is psycho addicted
I smoked 14 years all day
Managed to function but not everyone does
I have both potheads and alcoholics in my extended family and friends
Pot heads are easier but still occasionally problematic
Procrastination is my biggest issue with them

I hate procrastination even though I’m guilty some

Alcohol is just devastating to those susceptible

Just so toxic

I drink a martini when I go to a nice restaurant

I like basic cheap high pine needle taste gin very dirty with plain olives

I just love the taste

I look forward to it but only one since booze like Xanax puts me to sleep

Occasionally a nice lager or Pilsner on tap too

No pot since 91

If my rib smoked I’d smoke a little with her before making whoopie as the seniors we unfortunately are lol well I am 68 she’s 60

That’s my take on intoxicants

Pot for teens is stunting or can be anyhow to I think though I smoked at 14

I do like tobacco

Love it in fact

1-2 large la Gloria cubana a day for 30 years

And Copenhagen plain in between

I’m so bad I dip in bed and fall asleep no cpap for hours while looking at this site with dip in

Usually the pouches

Pitiful isn’t it lol

I strongly do not advocate psychedelics

Too much chance of life altering issues

[ifinnegan]

Dope head comment.

[Chickensoup]

Not really.

not about dose, about neurological sensitivity. and it can spring up with someone who has used for years.

[Chickensoup]

Seen this repeat bx. the addicts are addicted.

[Salamander]

Infuriating.

[dfwgator]

Maybe it was the cookie...

"I think I've got David Duke and Farrakhan down there."

[fr_freak]

Dope head comment.

Oh yeah, you're a real intellectual heavyweight. "Hurr durr dope head." It seems your potential peaked in second grade.

[ifinnegan]

You mad bro.