Agonizing pain linked to chronic marijuana use surpasses childbirth discomfort - and it's increasing

A rare but increasingly reported medical condition associated with prolonged marijuana consumption has been described by one mother on social media as pain more severe than childbirth. The disorder, commonly referred to as scromiting a combination of screaming and vomiting is medically known as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).

In an interview referenced by CNN, a TikTok mother recalled the overwhelming agony she endured, crying out that she couldnt take it anymore and begging for relief.

Cases of CHS have been climbing alongside the growing popularity of recreational marijuana. Currently, recreational use is legalized in 24 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. Dr. Sam Wang, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist and toxicologist at Childrens Hospital Colorado, has reported treating minors suffering from the condition.

According to Dr. Wang, patients frequently arrive in severe distress, clutching their abdomen and suffering from intense nausea and stomach pain. If left untreated, the condition can become life-threatening due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, potentially leading to shock or organ failure.

Hospital treatment typically includes IV fluids and electrolytes to combat dehydration, along with antiemetic medications aimed at reducing nausea. These measures, however, only provide temporary relief. The only permanent solution for CHS is to stop cannabis use entirely.

Although marijuana is often used to alleviate nausea particularly in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experts believe rising THC levels may be contributing to the onset of CHS. Dr. Wang noted that THC potency has increased significantly over the decades, rising from an average of around 45% in the 1990s to approximately 1520% in Colorado today.

Research indicates that CHS is becoming a broader concern. A study from 2020 reported that nearly 20% of patients hospitalized for persistent, severe vomiting between 2005 and 2014 had been using marijuana. Further research conducted by Wang and colleagues linked increased vomiting-related hospital visits to marijuana legalization in Colorado after analyzing data from more than 800,000 patients between 2013 and 2018.

Another recent study found that CHS cases among adults aged 18 to 35 rose significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021.

Author: Caleb Jennings