Recurrent Severe Burns Due to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is one of the health outcomes of cannabis use that is showing an increase in the number of reported cases since it first emerged in the medical literature. It is a condition that is now frequently seen by many specialists, including consultation-liaison psychiatrists. CHS is a diagnosis of exclusion that is characterized by the presence of a prolonged history of daily cannabis use, cyclic episodes of nausea and vomiting, and frequent compulsive hot baths. It will be fairly argued that with the surge in the number of marijuana users and frequency of use since the legalization of marijuana in the United States, a proportionate rise in CHS cases is expected over time. In this case report, we present a unique case of a 36-year-old female diagnosed with CHS, and the compensatory behavior of compulsive hot baths led to repeated episodes of severe burns, sepsis, and intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalizations. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published case of severe burns and sepsis as complications of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.