Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Psychiatric Approach.

This case report highlights the diagnostic challenges of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) in psychiatric settings, where cyclical vomiting may be attributed to other causes. Recognition is critical as CHS can lead to serious medical complications including electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and kidney injury.

This case report describes a young male with drug-induced psychosis who developed cyclical vomiting episodes consistent with CHS during psychiatric hospitalization. The patient had a history of chronic cannabis use and presented with the classic triad of recurrent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, along with weight loss and multiple emergency department visits. The case emphasizes diagnostic difficulties when CHS occurs in patients with concurrent psychiatric conditions and substance use disorders. The authors advocate for multidisciplinary management approaches to address both the medical complications of CHS and underlying substance use patterns.

“This case reinforces what I see regularly in practice – CHS often goes unrecognized in psychiatric settings where providers may focus primarily on mental health symptoms. The key clinical pearl remains that cessation of cannabis use is the only definitive treatment, though this requires careful coordination between psychiatric and medical teams.”

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