Understanding Scromiting: The Painful Cannabis-Linked Syndrome Filling Emergency Rooms

A sharp rise in emergency room visits is putting a spotlight on a distressing condition. Heavy, long-term cannabis users are reporting episodes of severe illness. The slang term “scromiting” describes the experience perfectly. It blends the words “screaming” and “vomiting.”

Patients suffer from intense, uncontrollable vomiting. They also endure severe abdominal pain and nausea. The pain is often so extreme it causes audible cries of distress. This phenomenon has a formal medical name.

It is called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). Medical experts first identified it in a 2004 Australian study. According to USA Today, the study examined chronic users with recurring vomiting. The condition presents a painful paradox.

Cannabis is frequently used to ease nausea. For some heavy users, it has the opposite effect. The body’s reaction becomes severely dysregulated. This leads to the debilitating cycles that define CHS.

Symptoms and Treatment of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

Sufferers can vomit dozens of times an hour. They become dangerously dehydrated. Keeping food or water down becomes impossible. The episodes can last for hours or even days.

Many patients discover a peculiar temporary relief. According to the New York Post, hot showers or baths often ease symptoms. This has become a common reported behavior among those experiencing an attack. The reason for this relief is not fully understood by science.

The only proven long-term cure is complete cannabis cessation. In the emergency room, doctors focus on stabilization. Treatment includes intravenous fluids for dehydration. Anti-nausea medications and topical capsaicin cream are also used.

Symptoms typically stop once cannabis use ends. However, relapse into heavy use can trigger a quick return. Research indicates the condition is not rare among frequent users.

A study referenced by USA Today and the Cleveland Clinic is telling. It found about one-third of frequent marijuana users visited the ER with CHS-like symptoms. A separate 2021 study offered more insight. It examined 321 cannabis-using patients with nausea and vomiting. About 17% were likely CHS cases.

Health Risks and Growing Awareness

CHS itself is not typically fatal if treated. The complications from it can be very serious. Prolonged vomiting leads to severe dehydration. This can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances and kidney stress.

The condition highlights a gap in public awareness. Many users are unaware of this potential risk. It generally appears after years of near-daily use, not casual consumption. Researchers are still studying why it affects some people and not others.

The leading theory involves THC overload. Prolonged high exposure may disrupt the endocannabinoid system. This system helps regulate digestion and stress. When disrupted, it can trigger the violent physical response seen in CHS.

The rising incidence of scromiting cases is a clear public health signal. As cannabis becomes more accepted, understanding all side effects is crucial. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome represents a severe risk for a subset of heavy users, demanding greater medical and public attention.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing severe symptoms, please seek immediate professional medical attention.