Doctors are raising concerns after a startling new side effect of cannabis use is causing a wave of users to flood emergency rooms — a condition so severe it has been dubbed “scromiting”.
It might seem like a joke, but the truth is quite alarming.
In the last ten years, hospitals have experienced an increase in patients enduring extreme nausea, unending vomiting, and stomach pain so intense it leaves them bent over — sometimes several times a year.
The cause? Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).
“A person often will have multiple [emergency department] visits until it is correctly recognized, costing thousands of dollars each time,” states Dr. Beatriz Carlini, a research associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Symptoms so excruciating they cry out — literally.
CHS episodes typically manifest within 24 hours of cannabis consumption and can persist for several days.
Medical professionals coined the term scromiting because those affected often scream while they vomit.
Dr. Chris Buresh, an emergency medicine expert, discusses the challenges in treatment: “There are currently no therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and standard anti-nausea medications frequently fail to provide relief.”
Doctors occasionally resort to unconventional treatments – ranging from hot baths and showers to applying capsaicin cream on the stomach, or even using Haldol, a drug typically reserved for psychotic episodes.
“That’s a key factor in my diagnosis when a patient mentions they feel better after a hot shower,” Buresh noted.
“Patients often report exhausting all the hot water in their home.”
Who is at risk?
Even when symptoms lessen, CHS can reappear if cannabis consumption persists. The only way to completely eliminate the condition is to stop using cannabis.
Carlini cautions: “Since the syndrome occurs sporadically, some cannabis users may mistakenly believe a recent episode was unrelated and continue their usage — only to find themselves severely ill again.”
Long-term recovery typically hinges on entirely quitting cannabis, although addiction can complicate the process of abstaining.
Researchers remain uncertain as to why CHS impacts some users while sparing others.
The prevailing theory indicates that overstimulation of the endocannabinoid system interferes with the body’s natural regulation of nausea and vomiting.
Dr. Buresh mentions: “There appears to be a threshold at which individuals may become susceptible to this condition, and this threshold varies from person to person. Even small amounts can trigger vomiting in these individuals.”
A research study conducted by George Washington University examined over 1,000 patients with CHS, revealing a strong correlation between early and extended cannabis use and emergency room visits due to scromiting.
Alarmingly, the number of adolescent cases in the US has surged more than ten times from 2016 to 2023, with the most significant increases seen in states where recreational cannabis remains prohibited. Interestingly, while overall CHS cases were more prevalent in states where cannabis is legal, younger users experienced a higher incidence in states where it is still illegal.
CHS officially acknowledged
On October 1, 2025, the World Health Organization officially recognized CHS, assigning it a formal diagnosis code. Carlini elaborated on its importance:
“A new code for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome will provide crucial hard evidence regarding cannabis-related adverse events, which physicians indicate is an escalating issue.”
As emergency room visits continue to rise, experts caution that cannabis users — both teenagers and adults — should be mindful of this potentially debilitating condition.
