Research Methods

Data Collection

We collect data through two primary methods:

Structured Surveys

Our survey collects standardized data about demographics, cannabis use patterns, symptoms, treatments, and recovery. Using structured fields allows for quantitative analysis and comparison across respondents.

Personal Stories

Narrative accounts provide rich qualitative data about the lived experience of CHS. Stories help capture nuances that structured surveys may miss and provide valuable context for the quantitative data.

Survey Design

Our survey was designed based on:

  • Review of existing CHS medical literature
  • Consultation with healthcare providers who treat CHS
  • Input from individuals who have experienced CHS
  • Standard epidemiological survey practices

The survey uses closed-ended questions with predefined response options to ensure consistency and enable statistical analysis. All questions are optional except for basic consent.

Moderation Process

All submissions go through a moderation process before publication:

  1. Submissions are reviewed for completeness and coherence
  2. Stories are checked for potentially identifying information
  3. Content is reviewed for appropriateness
  4. Approved submissions are published to the public site

We may edit stories to remove identifying information while preserving the narrative. Submitters are advised not to include identifying details in their stories.

Data Analysis

Survey data is analyzed using standard statistical methods to identify patterns and associations. We examine:

  • Demographic distributions
  • Symptom frequencies and co-occurrences
  • Treatment effectiveness reports
  • Recovery timelines and outcomes
  • Correlations between usage patterns and symptoms

Limitations

As with any self-reported survey, our data has inherent limitations:

  • Self-selection bias: people who submit may not be representative of all CHS cases
  • Recall bias: respondents may not accurately remember past events
  • No clinical verification: we cannot confirm diagnoses
  • Cross-sectional: we capture a snapshot, not longitudinal changes

We acknowledge these limitations and interpret our findings accordingly. Our data is intended to complement, not replace, clinical research.