Scromiting Explained: The ER’s Rising Cannabis-Linked Health Crisis

A painful new health syndrome is sending more people to emergency rooms. Doctors are reporting cases of a condition informally called “scromiting.” The term blends the words “screaming” and “vomiting.”This condition is officially known as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). It is linked directly to long-term, heavy use of cannabis products.

What Is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?

CHS was first identified in a 2004 Australian study. Researchers examined 19 chronic cannabis users with severe vomiting. The syndrome is now recognized globally.Patients experience intense waves of nausea and abdominal pain. They may vomit dozens of times per hour. The episodes can last for hours, causing dehydration and extreme distress.According to USA Today, many sufferers find temporary relief in hot showers. This compulsive bathing is considered a telltale sign. The only proven cure is to stop using cannabis completely.

Why Heavy Cannabis Use Can Trigger Severe Sickness

This syndrome presents a cruel irony. Cannabis is often used to combat nausea. For some long-term users, it has the opposite effect.Researchers believe prolonged, high exposure to THC is the culprit. THC is cannabis’s main psychoactive compound. It may disrupt the body’s natural endocannabinoid system over time.This system helps regulate digestion and stress. When it is dysregulated, it can trigger the violent reaction. The condition typically appears after years of near-daily use, not casual consumption.

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The rise in CHS cases highlights a significant public health concern as cannabis becomes more widely available. Understanding “scromiting” is crucial for users and healthcare providers to recognize and address this painful syndrome effectively.

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What exactly is “scromiting”?

“Scromiting” is slang for Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). It describes episodes of severe vomiting and abdominal pain so intense they cause screaming. The condition is linked to heavy, long-term cannabis use.

What causes CHS?

Doctors believe years of high-THC cannabis use disrupts the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system regulates gut function. The disruption leads to cyclic vomiting and pain.

How is CHS treated?

The primary treatment is complete cessation of cannabis. In the ER, patients get IV fluids and anti-nausea drugs. Symptoms usually stop after cannabis use ends.

Is CHS becoming more common?

Yes. Emergency room reports indicate a growing number of cases. This trend coincides with broader cannabis legalization and more potent products on the market.

Can occasional users get CHS?

Medical evidence suggests CHS almost exclusively affects heavy, chronic users. Occasional or first-time users are at very low risk for developing this syndrome.

Are the effects of CHS permanent?

No. The vomiting episodes are not permanently damaging if treated. However, severe dehydration can lead to kidney issues. Symptoms resolve after stopping cannabis use.