A condition known as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) has been well known among long-term cannabis users for decades. Plenty of doctors have known about it too. But because there has been no official recognition of its symptoms among leading health organizations, no formal diagnosis has been adopted – until now.
The World Health Organization (WHO) made a major move on October 1, 2025, by officially recognizing a condition and its diagnosis. They also added an official diagnosis code to their medical manual. It is a big step toward managing the negative side effects of long-term cannabis use.
What CHS Actually Is
It is generally accepted that cannabis consumption does not present any risk of serious side effects. And although a growing body of evidence seems to suggest such assumptions are not true, a longstanding exception to the rule has been CHS.
CHS is classified as a syndrome rather than an illness or disease because it is merely a collection of co-occurring symptoms without a specifically identifiable cause. We know CHS is linked to heavy cannabis use, but we do not know the physiological cause behind it.
The condition can present symptoms including severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Most consumers who experience it don’t start seeing relief until they stop using cannabis. However, some experienced users say that taking a hot shower can provide immediate and temporary relief.
It is interesting to note that CHS is considered a gastrointestinal disorder. What makes it ironic is the fact that plenty of patients looking to relieve chronic nausea use cannabis. In a CSH suffer however, cannabis seems to have the opposite effect.
What CHS Looks Like
CHS is easy enough to spot if you know what you are looking for. Its onset and experience occur in three stages as follows:
- Stage 1 (prodromal) – Vague nausea, slight abdominal discomfort, and anxiety about possible vomiting.
- Stage 2 (hyperemetic) – Intense and cyclic vomiting, strong abdominal cramps or pains, dehydration, and an inability to keep food or fluids down.
- Stage 3 (recovery) – Symptoms gradually resolve themselves if cannabis consumption is ceased. They are likely to return if heavy consumption is resumed.
CHS symptoms can be scary enough to send someone to the hospital. According to a study published earlier this year, the syndrome was responsible for more than 41,000 emergency department visits in 2022. The numbers represent a significant jump since researchers began tracking CHS visits back in the 1990s.
CHS and Medical Cannabis
Fortunately, CHS is not normally associated with medical cannabis consumption. Because patients are ostensibly using cannabis under the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist, it is not likely that their consumption will be heavy enough to trigger the syndrome. But anything is still possible.
At the Beehive Farmacy in Brigham City, Utah, a state-licensed pharmacist is on staff whenever the doors are open. Pharmacy operators say patients are always free to discuss their concerns with the pharmacist. Any patient experiencing CHS can ask questions or seek advice.
Uncomfortable But Not Life-Threatening
Everything we know about CHS at the current time suggests that, although it is quite uncomfortable, it is not life-threatening. Maybe things will change now that the WHO has officially recognized the syndrome and its diagnosis. Recognition could encourage research which, in turn, could change what we think about the syndrome.
In the meantime, do not think you are alone if you use cannabis and experience CHS. The syndrome is common enough that the cannabis community is familiar with it. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about it and go from there. Your only solution might be to permanently abstain.
