Hyperemesis gravidarum can be suppressed with the aid of marijuana
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is the presence of uncontrollable vomiting during pregnancy resulting in dehydration, weight loss, and ketosis. Generally, treatment is a temporary suspension of oral intake with IV fluids, antiemetics if necessary, and vitamin and electrolyte replacement. However, according to a recent survey, women suffering from this condition acknowledge using marijuana to treat symptoms, reporting even better efficacy than traditionally prescribed medications.
Pregnancy often causes nausea and vomiting; the cause appears to be a rapid increase in estrogen or human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit levels. Researchers affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles and the Hyperemesis Research and Education Foundation in Oregon set out to see what relationship marijuana has to HG.
To do so, they surveyed 550 women who suffered from HG during pregnancy. 96% of the respondents acknowledged following the traditional method of using prescription antiemetics. Another 14% thought outside the box and turned to cannabis to alleviate their symptoms. More than 70% indicated that choosing marijuana was an incredible idea, as they reported improvements that they had never experienced before with prescription medications.
Of the small percentage who chose cannabis as a treatment, more than 80% reported relief from symptoms caused by HG, a result that appears to be consistent with other studies conducted in the past. In addition, among patients who reported experiencing weight loss during pregnancy, 56% of those who used marijuana said they regained some or all of their weight within two weeks of treatment.