More frequent marijuana users being treated with nausea and vomiting condition: Report
Frequent marijuana users are increasingly turning up in emergency rooms with a condition that causes severe bouts of nausea and vomiting, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The condition, known as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), is associated with habitual use of marijuana. Researchers said emergency room visits...
Recent data reveals a significant rise in hospital visits among frequent marijuana users experiencing nausea and vomiting, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The condition in question, known as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, saw a 16% increase in emergency room diagnoses between October of last year and May of this year.
The surge is largely attributed to the introduction of a new diagnostic code for the syndrome last October, which has helped to more accurately identify and track cases that were previously underrecognized.
The syndrome is characterized by recurring nausea, uncontrollable vomiting, and severe abdominal pain, and is predominantly seen in people who frequently use marijuana, particularly those who smoke it. Estimates suggest that around 2.75 million Americans suffer from the condition each year, with hospital emergency room visits rising as daily recreational marijuana use has increased.
However, experts have noted that the syndrome has likely been underdiagnosed due to various factors, including doctors' lack of awareness about patients' marijuana use or misattributing the symptoms to other illnesses.
The CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control analyzed emergency room data from approximately 7,500 healthcare facilities across the country through May of this year. From January 2023 to the summer of 2025, almost 200,000 syndrome-related visits were made to emergency departments. The largest increases were observed in individuals aged 15 to 24, teenage girls and women, and in Black Americans and American Indian or Alaska Native people.
The findings highlight the need to raise awareness about cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, particularly in younger populations. Researchers are also calling for further research into the potential impacts of newer high-potency THC and hemp-derived products, which are available in various forms such as vapes, drinks, and gummies, on younger Americans.
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