Does weed help with nausea, or can it make you feel worse? The answer is complex. While weed (also known as cannabis) is sometimes used to treat nausea, consuming too much can have the opposite effect.
What Is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis?
Heavy cannabis use can cause nausea and vomiting known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). The word “hyperemesis” literally means extreme vomiting. This is different from regular nausea because it’s more severe and happens more often.
This condition usually affects people who use cannabis regularly or use strong cannabis products like:
- Dab pens
- Concentrated oils
- Edibles
When someone uses cannabis regularly, their body gets used to it. This means they need more cannabis and/or stronger products to feel the same effects. This can lead to using cannabis more frequently or using higher potency cannabis.
To put it simply, overconsumption of cannabis can make a person sick to their stomach, causing severe vomiting, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Can You Recover From Hyperemesis?
The most effective way to stop hyperemesis is to stop using cannabis. Symptoms might continue for a few weeks before they go away. CHS generally isn’t permanent, and most people recover if they immediately stop use. However, it may come back if use is continued after recovery.
If you need support or resources to stop use, check out our substance use treatment resources.
Sources:
Cleveland Clinic: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
Journal of American Medicine: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
