A man smokes a joint in Mexico City, where lawmakers are preparing to vote on the legalization of recreational marijuana use
A man smokes a joint in Mexico City, where lawmakers are preparing to vote on the legalization of recreational marijuana use AFP / Pedro PARDO

The regular consumption of marijuana can lead to the development of a condition that causes nausea and vomiting — symptoms the substance is known to cure.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a mysterious illness that only affects some regular and long-term users of marijuana, Fox 12 Oregon reported.

Aside from the hard-to-control vomiting, people with CHS also experience nausea and "crippling belly pain," according to WebMD.

Dennis Morgan, a decades-long marijuana smoker who first exhibited signs of CHS 10 years ago, described it as a "terrible" illness that "you'll never forget."

"Extreme nausea, a lot of stomach cramps, headache, and bottom line is there’s no relief from it. You can't get any relief," Morgan was quoted as saying.

CHS was first reported in a 2004 study on nine chronic cannabis users in South Australia who exhibited a cyclical vomiting illness.

One of the illness’ mysteries is that it appears as if only some regular marijuana users were affected by it, while others are not, doctors noted.

"I can say that not everybody gets this, thank goodness. But there has to be a reason that certain people are susceptible and others are not," Dr. Ethan Russo said.

A study by Russo and his colleagues published in July last year identified five genetic changes that could make a chronic marijuana user more susceptible to developing CHS, which suggested that genes may play a role in whether a person can get affected by the illness.

Despite this, not much is known about the illness, according to medical experts.

"There is so much about this condition that we still do not know, and I think there’s considerable scientific research left to be done," said Dr. Matt Noble, an emergency room physician at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and toxicologist with the Oregon Poison Center.

Quitting marijuana use appeared to be the most effective strategy for treating CHS, but evidence showed that the condition's symptoms would appear if a person returns to using marijuana or other forms of cannabinoids.

Many people with CHS also reportedly found relief from hot baths or showers, which researchers believe may be attributed to heat triggering temperature sensors in the skin that, in turn, send signals to the brain that can temporarily help ease the symptoms.

However, the problem with this is that people with CHS "can't live in the water," according to medical cannabis expert Dr. Leigh Vinocur.

A person with CHS needs to stop using marijuana permanently if they want to truly relieve their symptoms, according to Noble.

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Representation. Quitting marijuana use permanently may be the only way to completely relieve the symptoms of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. Photo: Pixabay