Medical Marijuana Under the Microscope: The Alarming Rise of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
By Alejandra Legarda, for Al Día News | May 2025

Amid the growing therapeutic and recreational use of cannabis in the United States, doctors and scientists are raising alarms about a disorder that, though little-known, has shown a concerning increase in recent years: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).

According to a recent report published by National Geographic (2025), emergency physicians and gastroenterologists are observing a significant rise in patients arriving at hospitals with persistent nausea, cyclical vomiting, and intense abdominal painhallmark symptoms of this condition. CHS primarily affects frequent cannabis users, including those who use it for medical purposes. A distinctive feature of the syndrome is that its symptoms are temporarily relieved by hot showers or baths, a clinical clue that has helped identify the condition.

Recent studies indicate that hospitalizations due to CHS have doubled in both the United States and Canada, coinciding with the expansion of cannabis legalization across multiple states. A review article in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM, 2023) pointed out that while cannabis is known for its antiemetic effect in oncology treatments, prolonged use can produce a paradoxical effect in certain individuals—triggering responses in the endocannabinoid system that lead to gastric hypermotility and disruptions in the gut-brain axis.

Not all users are at risk, but those who use cannabis daily, even in moderate doses, should be aware, specialists warn. Diagnosing CHS remains a challenge, as many healthcare professionals do not immediately associate these symptoms with cannabis use, which delays proper treatment—the complete cessation of cannabis consumption.

As cannabis gains broader social acceptance, experts are calling for stronger educational campaigns, especially targeting young people and patients using marijuana for medical purposes. CHS is not a rarity. It serves as a reminder that any substance even those considered natural or medicinal can have adverse effects if not used responsibly.

Sources: National Geographic, The New England Journal of Medicine, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Denver Health Medical Center, clinical interviews 2024–2025.