General Question

flo's avatar

Are the following statements clear regarding Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?

Asked by flo (13313points) November 18th, 2019

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/09/20/indiana-boy-17-died-smoking-weed-chs-blame-what-chs/2387571001/
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, also known as CHS, can arise in response to long-term cannabis use. The syndrome consists of vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain, which can often be alleviated by taking hot showers._”

-”The autopsy report, which Denney received in March, attributed her son’s death to dehydration due to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.“_ (that part is clear to me.)
And
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2664574/
and associated with learned compulsive bathing behavior.

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5 Answers

KNOWITALL's avatar

I’m not sure that it’s completely clear, but it appears a daily user will start vomiting to the point they become dehydrated. Not sure how the hot showers fit in. And the cure is to stop smoking before you die.

That’s what I got out of it. I’ve never known anyone who partook to exhibit these symptoms, and I’ve known some hardcore Cheech and Chong fans…lol

janbb's avatar

This would seem to be the operative paragraph in the second link regarding the reasons for the compulsive bathing behavior:

“The learned compulsive bathing behavior exhibited by these patients is another notable characteristic of cannabinoid hyperemesis. The endocannabinoid system plays a role in the modulation of neuroendocrine function by way of the CB1 receptors of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis.14 The role of the hypothalamus in regulating body temperature is well known.15 More recently, the hypothalamus has been reported to serve as a location for integrating central and peripheral thermosensory input.16 Subjective thermoregulatory sensation could initiate the need to act, or in this case, to take a hot shower. We propose 2 potential mechanisms of action for this compulsive bathing behavior. First, the brain may react to changes in core body temperature due to the dose-dependent hypothermic effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (the psychoactive component of cannabinoid).17 Second, the behavior observed (seeking warmer skin temperature) may be a result of direct CB1 receptor activation in the hypothalamus by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or another active compound and may not necessarily be a response to changes in core body temperature.”

The way I understand the scientific language is that in this syndrome a person can get a sense from something chemical in their hypothalamus that they are cold and that the long, hot showers are taken to relieve this sensation.

elbanditoroso's avatar

If the question is ” is it clear?” -

statement 1 – yes, pretty easy to understand

statement 2 – yes, but needs context in order to make sense.

statement 3 – no, it needs backing or context or something. As it is, it won’t stand alone.

flo's avatar

I don’t get it or something.

flo's avatar

Learned compulsive behaviour I don’t know what the “learned” is about.

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