Why More Cannabis Users Are ‘Scromiting’—And How to Protect Yourself
Cannabis-Induced ‘Scromiting’ Is on the Rise: An Evidence-Based Guide to CHS
As cannabis use becomes more common and products get stronger, a frightening side effect—often called “scromiting,” a mash‑up of screaming and vomiting—is showing up more often in U.S. emergency rooms. If you or someone you love uses cannabis regularly, understanding this condition can help you recognize warning signs early and make safer choices.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalized medical advice. If you think you or someone else is having a medical emergency, call emergency services or seek urgent care immediately.
What Is ‘Scromiting’ (Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome)?
Health professionals generally avoid the slang term “scromiting,” but it refers to a real, medically recognized condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). People with CHS experience:
- Sudden, repeated vomiting—often every few minutes or hours
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- Intense nausea that doesn’t respond well to usual anti‑nausea meds
- Restlessness, agitation, or “screaming” from pain and distress (where the “scromiting” nickname comes from)
The paradox is that cannabis is often used to treat nausea—especially in cancer care and chronic illness—yet in some long‑term users it can cause extreme vomiting. CHS typically appears after months or years of frequent, heavy cannabis use, not after a single experiment.
“We’re seeing cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome becoming a more routine part of emergency medicine in the U.S. With rising potency and availability, clinicians are learning to recognize it much more often.”
— Emergency physician commentary on recent CHS trends
Why Is Cannabis-Induced ‘Scromiting’ on the Rise?
A 2025 analysis highlighted by Gizmodo and similar research in emergency‑department databases suggest that U.S. ER visits for CHS have increased significantly over the last decade. Several trends likely contribute:
- Higher THC potency. Modern cannabis flower often exceeds 20–25% THC, and concentrates can exceed 70–90% THC. Higher potency may place more stress on the body’s cannabinoid receptors.
- More frequent and daily use. Legalization and normalization mean more people using cannabis daily—sometimes multiple times per day—for sleep, anxiety, or chronic pain.
- Edibles and concentrates. Slow‑onset, long‑lasting edibles and powerful dabs can lead to higher overall THC exposure than traditional flower.
- Better recognition by doctors. Ten years ago, many clinicians weren’t trained to look for CHS. Today, it’s better recognized, so more cases are correctly diagnosed instead of being labeled “mystery stomach flu.”
Key Symptoms: How to Recognize Possible CHS
CHS doesn’t usually appear out of nowhere. Most people move through three phases:
1. Prodromal (early) phase
- Morning nausea or queasiness, often without clear cause
- Mild belly discomfort or loss of appetite
- Ongoing, regular cannabis use (often to “treat” the nausea)
2. Hyperemetic (full-blown) phase
- Relentless bouts of vomiting—sometimes dozens of times per day
- Severe abdominal pain, cramping, or chest discomfort from retching
- Inability to keep down food, fluids, or medications
- Relief from very hot showers or baths, leading to compulsive bathing
- Possible dizziness, weakness, or confusion from dehydration
3. Recovery phase
- Symptoms gradually resolve after stopping cannabis completely
- Appetite and weight begin to normalize
- Many people feel “back to normal” within days to weeks—unless they resume cannabis use
A Real-World Scenario: When “Just Weed” Wasn’t Harmless
Consider “Alex,” a 27‑year‑old regular cannabis user (details combined and anonymized from typical case reports). Alex used high‑THC flower and concentrates daily for several years to help with sleep and stress.
Over a few months, Alex started waking up nauseated and occasionally vomiting. Assuming it was anxiety or food poisoning, Alex actually increased cannabis use, hoping it would settle the stomach. Then one weekend, the vomiting wouldn’t stop. Alex ended up in the ER, severely dehydrated, in excruciating abdominal pain, and only felt better standing under a scalding shower.
After multiple tests ruled out infections, gallbladder disease, and pancreatitis, the emergency team recognized the pattern and diagnosed cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Once Alex fully stopped cannabis and received IV fluids and symptom‑targeted medications, the vomiting resolved. Months later, the symptoms only returned during a brief relapse into daily cannabis use.
“I never imagined weed would be the problem—I thought it was the only thing keeping me from feeling sick. Finding out it was actually causing the vomiting was a shock, but quitting made all the difference.”
— Composite patient account based on published CHS case reports
What Causes CHS? What We Know (and Don’t Know Yet)
Scientists still don’t fully understand why some heavy cannabis users develop CHS while others never do. Current theories focus on:
- Overstimulation of the endocannabinoid system. Long‑term, high‑dose THC exposure may dysregulate receptors in the gut and brain involved in nausea and vomiting.
- Genetic susceptibility. Some people may carry genetic variants that change how they metabolize cannabinoids or regulate body temperature and gut motility.
- THC vs. CBD balance. Older cannabis strains had lower THC and more CBD, which may be protective. Modern high‑THC, low‑CBD products could tilt the balance toward risk in susceptible users.
- Interactions with stress and other medications. Stress, certain prescription drugs, and dehydration may worsen symptoms or lower the threshold for CHS.
While the exact mechanism is still being studied, one finding is very consistent across case reports and clinical studies: the only reliable long‑term treatment is stopping cannabis use entirely.
Who Is Most at Risk for Cannabis-Induced ‘Scromiting’?
While CHS can technically occur in anyone who uses cannabis, reported cases share some common patterns. People may be at higher risk if they:
- Use cannabis daily or near‑daily, especially over months or years
- Prefer high‑THC products (concentrates, potent flower, strong edibles)
- Started regular cannabis use in their teens or early 20s
- Have a history of cyclic vomiting, migraines, or functional gut disorders
- Notice that only hot showers reliably relieve episodes of nausea and vomiting
CHS has been reported across genders and age groups, but some studies suggest it may be more common in young adults assigned male at birth who use high‑potency products frequently. These patterns may change as cannabis use demographics evolve.
How Do Doctors Diagnose CHS?
There’s no single blood test or scan that “proves” CHS. Instead, clinicians use a combination of:
- History of cannabis use (especially long‑term, frequent use of high‑THC products)
- Typical symptoms—severe recurrent vomiting, abdominal pain, relief with hot showers
- Excluding other serious causes using bloodwork, imaging, and sometimes specialist consults
- Response to cannabis cessation—symptoms improve and do not recur when cannabis is avoided
Because conditions like appendicitis, pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and heart attack can present with overlapping symptoms, it is critical that you are honest with your care team about your cannabis use. This helps them protect you while avoiding unnecessary tests or surgeries.
Treatment: What Happens If You Show Up in the ER With ‘Scromiting’?
In the emergency department, the immediate priorities are:
- Stabilization. IV fluids to correct dehydration and electrolytes; monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, and kidney function.
- Symptom relief. Doctors may use:
- Certain anti‑nausea medications (though common ones like ondansetron may be less effective)
- Pain control when needed, tailored to the individual
- Sometimes topical capsaicin cream on the abdomen as a “hot signal” to the nervous system
- Evaluation for other causes. Blood tests, urine tests, and imaging to rule out life‑threatening conditions.
Once you’re stable, the most important step is discussed: stopping cannabis use completely. For many patients, symptoms dramatically improve over days once cannabis is discontinued and do not recur unless cannabis is restarted.
Practical Harm Reduction: Using Cannabis More Safely
Not everyone who uses cannabis will develop CHS, but if you choose to use, there are reasonable steps to lower your risk:
- Know your dose and potency. Avoid chasing the highest‑THC products possible. If you’re using concentrates or strong edibles, use the smallest effective amount and avoid stacking doses.
- Take breaks. Regular “tolerance breaks” (days or weeks off) give your endocannabinoid system time to reset and can reveal whether cannabis is helping or harming your symptoms.
- Monitor your body’s signals. New or unexplained nausea, especially in the morning, is a sign to pause use and talk with a clinician.
- Avoid using to treat every symptom. If you notice you’re using cannabis to manage chronic nausea or abdominal pain, get a medical evaluation instead of self‑treating indefinitely.
- Be cautious with daily, long‑term use. The more frequently and longer you use, the higher your cumulative risk appears to be.
If You Suspect CHS: Steps to Take Today
If your story sounds anything like the symptoms described above, you’re not alone—and you’re not “weak” or “doing cannabis wrong.” CHS is a known medical reaction. Here’s a practical, step‑by‑step approach:
- Pause cannabis immediately. Do not taper upward or “switch strains” in hopes of fixing it. Temporarily stop all cannabis products.
- Check your symptoms. If vomiting is severe, you can’t keep down fluids, or you feel faint, head to urgent care or an ER right away.
- Be honest with your provider. Tell them exactly what you use (flower, edibles, vapes, concentrates), how much, and how often. This information helps them protect you.
- Plan for support. If quitting cannabis is emotionally or physically hard, consider:
- Talking with a primary‑care clinician or addiction‑medicine specialist
- Reaching out to a therapist familiar with substance use
- Involving a trusted friend or family member who can help you through urges or withdrawal symptoms
- Track your recovery. Keep a simple symptom diary noting nausea, vomiting, appetite, and any cannabis use. This can clarify the pattern and guide your care team.
Before and After Stopping Cannabis: What Many Patients Report
Experiences vary, but patterns from case studies and patient reports often look like this:
Before Stopping Cannabis
- Daily or near‑daily cannabis use
- Morning nausea and abdominal discomfort
- Episodes of severe vomiting every few weeks or months
- Frequent hot showers for temporary relief
- Multiple ER visits labeled as “stomach bug” or “food poisoning”
After Stopping Cannabis
- Vomiting episodes stop within days to weeks
- Hot‑shower “need” gradually disappears
- Appetite, weight, and energy improve
- Fewer urgent or emergency visits
- Relapse of symptoms if cannabis is restarted
Common Questions About Cannabis-Induced ‘Scromiting’
Does CHS only happen with smoked cannabis?
No. CHS has been reported with all forms of cannabis—smoked, vaped, and eaten. What seems to matter most is overall THC exposure over time, not just the route of use.
Can CBD alone cause CHS?
Currently, CHS appears strongly linked to THC‑containing products. Pure CBD products are less clearly implicated, but because labeling can be inaccurate and many “CBD” products contain some THC, caution is still warranted. If you’ve had CHS, talk with your clinician before using any cannabinoid‑based product again.
If I’ve used cannabis for years without problems, am I safe?
Not necessarily. Many people develop CHS after years of uneventful use. Think of it like a threshold: your system may tolerate cannabis up to a point, then suddenly tip into intolerance. That’s why new nausea or vomiting in a long‑time user should always be taken seriously.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
Cannabis can be helpful for some people and conditions, but like any psychoactive drug, it has potential downsides. Cannabis‑induced ‘scromiting’—cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome—is one of the more alarming ones.
- CHS is real, increasingly common, and closely linked with long‑term, heavy THC use.
- Classic signs include recurrent severe vomiting, abdominal pain, and relief with hot showers.
- The most consistently effective treatment is complete cessation of cannabis.
- Early recognition and honest communication with your care team can prevent complications and repeated ER visits.
If you’re reading this because you’re worried about yourself or someone else, consider this your invitation to pause, get curious, and reach out for help. Talk with a trusted healthcare professional about your cannabis use and symptoms. You deserve care that is respectful, non‑judgmental, and grounded in real science—not stigma.
Your relationship with cannabis is allowed to change over time. Listening to your body—and acting on what it tells you—might be one of the most important health decisions you make.
