Scromiting illness is gaining attention across the United States as a serious health problem tied to long-term cannabis use. Medical professionals increasingly recognize this condition — officially called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) — as ER visits tied to it rise sharply, especially among young adults.
What Is Scromiting Illness?
Scromiting combines the words “screaming” and “vomiting,” reflecting the terrifying intensity of some CHS episodes. People experiencing scromiting go through relentless vomiting, often accompanied by excruciating abdominal pain, sheer agony, and sometimes screaming during bouts.
In medical terms, scromiting refers to the hyperemetic phase of CHS — a stage when nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and dehydration become severe, frequent, and often incapacitating. CHS generally affects individuals who have used cannabis heavily and regularly over years.
Why Scromiting Is Making Headlines Now
In recent years, scromiting illness has shifted from a rare medical oddity to a growing public-health concern. Comprehensive studies of U.S. emergency-department data show a dramatic increase in CHS-related visits between 2016 and 2022.
- The rate of CHS among all ED visits rose from about 4.36 per 100,000 in 2016 to 22.33 per 100,000 in 2022. JAMA Network+2Medical Xpress+2
- The jump peaked around 2020, with a high of roughly 33 per 100,000 in the second quarter — a surge coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Network+2Psychiatry Advisor+2
- Some states saw more frequent increases, especially in areas where cannabis has been legalized and potent THC products are widely available. PMC+2JAMA Network+2
- A 2025 national emergency-department survey noted that many CHS encounters involved adolescents and young adults. JAMA Network+2Duke Health+2
That rise reflects both increased cannabis use’s reach and improved recognition of CHS by clinicians. As awareness grows, more scromiting cases get correctly diagnosed and recorded.
What Happens During Scromiting: Symptoms, Phases, and Experience
Scromiting illness typically unfolds in distinct phases. Initial signs may seem mild, but eventually escalate to severe, life-disrupting episodes. American College of Gastroenterology+2WebMD+2
Typical phases include:
- Prodromal phase — Some users experience vague stomach discomfort, mild nausea (especially in the morning), or a vague sense of unease. Eating habits might remain normal, and some may even use cannabis more to manage early nausea. American College of Gastroenterology+2Wikipedia+2
- Hyperemetic phase (scromiting onset) — This is where severe symptoms hit. Frequent, forceful vomiting — sometimes up to five times an hour — becomes common. Intense abdominal pain, cramping, dehydration, loss of appetite, and rapid weight loss often follow. Vomiting may continue for hours or days. Hartford HealthCare+2WebMD+2
- Many individuals describe this hyperemetic phase as agonizing, noting that the pain feels excruciating and persistent. Some report it as worse than childbirth. Healthline+2Cedars-Sinai+2
One peculiar coping behavior often emerges: many find temporary relief by taking long, hot showers or baths. The warm water can calm nausea and temporarily halt vomiting, though relief rarely lasts long. Cedars-Sinai+2American College of Gastroenterology+2
Recovery typically only happens after stopping cannabis use, but that can take days or weeks — and sometimes symptoms linger before full resolution. NCBI+2Cedars-Sinai+2
What Causes Scromiting? Who Is Most at Risk?
Despite growing awareness, researchers still don’t fully understand why CHS develops — or why it affects some cannabis users but not others. However, several contributing factors have emerged. Wikipedia+2American College of Gastroenterology+2
Likely contributors:
- Long-term, heavy cannabis use — Daily or near-daily use for years appears to significantly increase risk. Some reports link CHS onset after 10–12 years of consistent cannabis use. Cedars-Sinai+2American College of Gastroenterology+2
- High-potency cannabis products — Modern marijuana often contains far higher THC levels than earlier decades, which may contribute to the development of CHS in susceptible individuals. Fox News+2Wikipedia+2
- Young age of initiation — Starting cannabis use in adolescence or early adulthood, and then continuing long-term use, appears common among many CHS sufferers. American College of Gastroenterology+2emed.smhs.gwu.edu+2
- Individual biological or genetic differences — Some people may metabolize cannabinoids differently or have variations in cannabinoid receptor sensitivity — factors that could make them more vulnerable to CHS. Wikipedia+2NCBI+2
Still, not everyone who smokes cannabis heavily develops scromiting illness. The condition remains unpredictable on an individual level — which is part of why it has often been misdiagnosed or overlooked in the past. WebMD+2Wikipedia+2
Why It’s Hard to Diagnose — and Often Misunderstood
Diagnosing scromiting illness is tricky. There is no specific lab test or biomarker for CHS. Instead, clinicians rely on a patient’s history of cannabis use, symptom patterns, and exclusion of other causes of vomiting and nausea. NCBI+2WebMD+2
Many early CHS cases were mistakenly diagnosed as other gastrointestinal disorders — like stomach flu, food poisoning, or cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS). That confusion delayed recognition of scromiting as a distinct disorder. American College of Gastroenterology+2Wikipedia+2
Even now, not all healthcare providers ask about cannabis use during ER visits. Some patients may hesitate to admit regular marijuana use. As a result, actual cases of CHS likely remain underreported. Wikipedia+2Cedars-Sinai+2
Moreover, symptoms can vary widely from one person to another — and some individuals may go years before connecting their recurring nausea and vomiting to cannabis use.
How Medical Treatment Works — And Why Cessation Matters
Because scromiting episodes involve severe vomiting and dehydration, emergency care usually focuses on stabilization:
- IV fluids and electrolyte replacement to counter dehydration and restore balance. Hartford HealthCare+1
- Anti-nausea medications and pain relief — though many standard anti-emetics may not fully stop CHS vomiting. WebMD+1
- Symptomatic relief — some clinicians recommend capsaicin cream, which can mimic the effect of hot showers, or supportive therapies alongside hydration and rest. Cedars-Sinai+1
Yet these treatments address only symptoms. The only reliable, long-term solution remains total abstinence from cannabis. Patients who quit cannabis typically see symptoms fade over days to weeks. Continued cannabis use almost always triggers relapse. NCBI+2American College of Gastroenterology+2
Some guidance also advises that patients consult addiction specialists or mental-health professionals if quitting cannabis proves difficult — especially for frequent, long-term users. WebMD+1
Health Risks and Possible Complications
Scromiting illness isn’t just a “bad vomiting spell.” Severe, repeated bouts can lead to serious complications:
- Chronic dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which may stress kidneys or lead to cardiovascular strain. WebMD+2NCBI+2
- Malnutrition and rapid weight loss, as persistent vomiting and loss of appetite impair nutrient intake. Hartford HealthCare+2Cedars-Sinai+2
- Damage to the digestive tract and teeth, due to repeated vomiting and acidic stomach contents. WebMD+2Cedars-Sinai+2
- Frequent hospital or emergency visits, sometimes multiple times a year, which can lead to stress, mental-health strain, and increased medical bills. JAMA Network+2Duke Health+2
- In extreme cases, serious complications such as electrolyte disturbances, kidney issues, or risks related to aspiration may arise. WebMD+2NCBI+2
Because of these risks, many medical experts now consider scromiting a serious public-health issue rather than just an odd reaction to cannabis.
Why Scromiting Is Growing — And What It Means for Public Health
A combination of factors appear to fuel the rise of scromiting illness across the U.S.:
- Expansion of cannabis legalization and easier access to marijuana. More people are using regularly. PMC+2American Addiction Centers+2
- Higher potency cannabis products — with elevated THC concentrations compared to decades ago — which may raise CHS risk and accelerate onset for heavy users. Fox News+2Wikipedia+2
- Increased awareness in medical settings, including a growing tendency for ER doctors to ask about cannabis use when patients present with unexplained vomiting. Axios+2Hartford HealthCare+2
- More frequency of daily or near-daily use, especially among adolescents and young adults, which correlates with many documented CHS cases. emed.smhs.gwu.edu+2JAMA Network+2
As a result, many American hospitals now report scromiting cases more often than before — shifting the condition out of obscurity and into a growing medical and social concern.
Public health experts see the recognition of scromiting illness as critical. Clear diagnosis, better data collection, and greater awareness among users, clinicians, and policymakers can help reduce its impact.
What You Should Do If You or Someone You Know Experiences Scromiting
If you suspect scromiting illness — persistent vomiting, intense abdominal pain, and a history of heavy cannabis use — consider the following steps:
- Be open with your health care provider about cannabis use. Accurate history can help avoid misdiagnosis.
- Seek medical care if vomiting lasts more than 24 hours or is accompanied by dehydration indicators: dark urine, dizziness, rapid heart rate, or faintness.
- Recognize that hot showers or baths may help temporarily — but these only relieve symptoms, not treat the root cause.
- Understand that stopping cannabis use is the only known way to end CHS episodes long-term. If quitting seems difficult, reach out to a medical or addiction specialist for guidance.
- If symptoms reappear after quitting, keep your doctor informed — sometimes the body takes time to adjust before full recovery.
Scromiting illness underscores a harsh reality: for some long-term cannabis users, what seemed like harmless recreational use can evolve into a severe, recurring medical crisis. As cannabis becomes more accessible and socially accepted, its potential risks — including CHS — deserve serious attention.
If you or someone you know is battling unexplained, severe vomiting and chronic cannabis use, don’t ignore the signs — scromiting could be the cause.