Doctors are warning the public about a shocking new cannabis-related condition that is sending users to emergency rooms in record numbers — a phenomenon so extreme it’s earned the nickname “scromiting.”
Although the term sounds almost humorous, the symptoms are anything but.
In recent years, hospitals have reported a significant rise in patients suffering from relentless vomiting, extreme nausea, and severe abdominal pain, often leaving them bent over in agony. Some sufferers experience repeated episodes multiple times a year.
The condition behind these alarming symptoms is known as Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).
“Many patients visit the ER multiple times before the condition is recognized, costing thousands of dollars for repeated care,” says Dr. Beatriz Carlini, research associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Why It’s Called “Scromiting”
CHS attacks typically occur within 24 hours of cannabis use and can last for several days. The nickname scromiting comes from the extreme distress patients experience — many scream while vomiting.
Dr. Chris Buresh, an emergency medicine physician, explains the challenge in treating CHS:
“There are currently no FDA-approved treatments, and conventional anti-nausea medications often fail to relieve symptoms.”
Doctors sometimes rely on unconventional strategies, such as hot showers or baths, applying capsaicin cream to the stomach, or even using Haldol, a drug generally reserved for psychotic conditions.
“Improvement after a hot shower often helps confirm the diagnosis,” Buresh says.
“Some patients go through all the hot water in their home just to get temporary relief.”
Who Is Most Vulnerable?
Even after a severe episode, CHS can return if cannabis use continues. Complete abstinence from marijuana is the only effective treatment, but addiction makes quitting difficult.
“Because symptoms are intermittent, some cannabis users believe their episodes are unrelated and continue using — which can lead to repeated severe illness,” warns Dr. Carlini.
Researchers believe CHS occurs because overstimulation of the endocannabinoid system disrupts the body’s natural regulation of nausea and vomiting.
“People have individual thresholds for developing CHS. Even small amounts of cannabis can trigger vomiting in vulnerable individuals,” adds Dr. Buresh.
A study conducted by George Washington University of over 1,000 CHS patients found a strong link between early, long-term cannabis use and repeated ER visits due to scromiting.
A Rising Threat Among Teens
Cases among adolescents in the U.S. have skyrocketed more than tenfold from 2016 to 2023, with the fastest growth in states where recreational cannabis is still illegal. While CHS is generally more common in states with legalized cannabis, younger users in non-legal states are seeing alarming increases.
CHS Now Officially Recognized
On October 1, 2025, the World Health Organization officially recognized Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome and gave it a diagnosis code.
“A dedicated code provides concrete evidence of cannabis-related adverse events, which doctors increasingly report as a serious health concern,” says Dr. Carlini.
With ER visits for cannabis-related vomiting on the rise, medical experts emphasize the importance of public awareness — especially for teens and young adults — about this potentially debilitating condition.