Marijuana Use – What are the lesser known effects?

Before getting into the details of how marijuana use is related to gagging and gastroparesis, we need to define what those terms mean for a better understanding! If you enjoy using marijuana but suffer from abdominal pain, then keep reading this article to see the science!

What is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach takes longer than normal to empty its contents into the small intestine (Mayo Foundation, 2022). This disorder can cause symptoms like:

• Vomiting.
• Nausea.
• Abdominal bloating.
• Abdominal pain.
• A feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites.
• Vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier.
• Acid reflux.

Having this condition can make it difficult to enjoy mealtime due to the negative after effects. Recent studies have been looking into a correlation between the symptoms of Gp and marijuana use. If you have this condition, keep reading to understand how marijuana use plays a controversial role in this condition. If you think you might have this condition, seek advice from a medical professional for a formal diagnosis. 

How Does Marijuana Use Affect the Digestive Tract

The digestive system begins with the mouth and ends with the release of stool from bowel movements. When we eat food, it goes through the process of chemical and mechanical digestion within the digestive system. The stomach is reached right after the food we chew travels down the esophagus. Once in the stomach, digestive enzymes and acids begin to break down the food for the body to utilize! This process typically takes 2-4 hours depending on the contents of a meal. A person suffering from gastroparesis might take 5-6.5 hours to digest their meal (Mayo Foundation, 2022). This amount of time spent in the stomach can cause those pesky symptoms mentioned above to take effect and cause disruption.

Marijuana is linked with lessening nausea and vomiting symptoms. Knowing this information, many individuals use marijuana to reduce their abdominal pain because they find that it relieves their symptoms (Parkman, 2020). Smoking specifically can delay stomach emptying and reduce muscle contractions within the digestive tract. So, if you are a marijuana smoker, then switching to a cannabinoid would be a better option to curb the symptoms of Gp.  Based on this research, consuming marijuana can help lessen the painful symptoms of Gp. However, patients should be advised against smoking their cannabis because of the effect it has on gastric emptying. 

How Is Marijuana Use Related to Gagging?

If you are a heavy marijuana user and experience gagging often, then here are some tips for you! You may be experiencing what is called cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). CHS is characterized by frequent and severe nausea and vomiting. This disorder only affects individuals who use cannabis at least once a week (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). It is basically a condition where the individual will experience gagging from nausea until they often throw up. This condition includes three phases which have the following symptoms:

• Prodromal phase: Experience abdominal pain or morning nausea. Typically more common in adults who have used cannabis since they were younger. 
• Hyperemetic phase: Can last 1-2 days and is characterized by recurrent vomiting and nausea. 
• Recovery phase: Slowly stop using cannabis. Symptoms will cease in a few days or months depending on severity. 

If you suffer from this condition, then you should stop the use of cannabis (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). Continued use may lead to further health complications due to the constant vomiting. 

Other remedies for Gastroparesis and Gagging

Gastroparesis can be lessened by a change in diet (Mayo Foundation, 2022). Here are some nutrition treatment options for lessening the symptoms of gastroparesis:

• Eat foods low in fat and fiber. 
• Eat five or six small, nutritious meals a day to lessen overwhelming fullness. 
• Eat soft, well-cooked foods. 
• Avoid carbonated beverages.
• Avoid alcohol.

Treatment for Gagging (Cleveland Clinic, 2023):

• The only cure for CHS is to cut cannabis out of your life, however, taking other pain medications like Tylenol can help with this transition phase. 
• Lowering the dose of marijuana can help with gagging that is not caused by CHS

Overall, it is advised to seek healthcare advice and a formal diagnosis for either condition to determine if marijuana can stay in your life or if it needs to go. There can be some benefits in pain management, but in some individuals, it causes more harm than good to their digestive system. 

References:

Parkman, H. P., Sharkey, E. P., Nguyen, L. A., Yates, K. P., Abell, T. L., Hasler, W. L., Snape, W., Clarke, J., Schey, R., Koch, K. L., Kuo, B., McCallum, R. W., Sarosiek, I., Grover, M., Farrugia, G., Tonascia, J., Pasricha, P. J., & Frank A. Hamilton for the NIH Gastroparesis Consortium (2020). Marijuana Use in Patients with Symptoms of Gastroparesis: Prevalence, Patient Characteristics, and Perceived Benefit. Digestive diseases and sciences, 65(8), 2311–2320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-019-05963-2

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022). Gastroparesis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroparesis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355792#:~:text=Lifestyle%20and%20home%20remedies,time%20if%20you%20keep%20smoking. 

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: What is it, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (2023). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21665-cannabis-hyperemesis-syndrome