Doctors Warn of Rising Cases of Severe Cannabis Illness Known as “Scromiting”
Hospitals Report Growing Number of Emergency Cases
Medical professionals are raising concerns about a serious condition linked to cannabis use that is sending increasing numbers of people to emergency departments. The illness, known as Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), causes repeated episodes of severe nausea, persistent vomiting, and intense abdominal pain that can become so overwhelming patients often require urgent medical care.
Because of the extreme nature of its symptoms, healthcare workers have given the condition an unusual nickname: “scromiting,” a term used to describe the combination of screaming and vomiting experienced by some sufferers during severe episodes.
Over the past decade, hospitals have reported a noticeable increase in patients arriving with symptoms that are later identified as CHS. For many individuals, the illness becomes a recurring problem that leads to repeated emergency room visits before the correct diagnosis is finally made.
A Condition That Can Be Difficult to Recognize
One of the challenges surrounding Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome is that it often goes unrecognized during its early stages.
Many patients experience repeated attacks before healthcare providers identify cannabis use as the underlying cause. As a result, individuals may undergo numerous medical evaluations and treatments while continuing to experience the same debilitating symptoms.
Dr. Beatriz Carlini, research associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, explained how frequently this occurs.
“A person often will have multiple [emergency department] visits until it is correctly recognized, costing thousands of dollars each time,” says Dr. Beatriz Carlini, research associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
The repeated hospital visits can place both emotional and financial strain on patients, particularly when symptoms continue returning without an immediate explanation.
Symptoms Can Become Extremely Severe
Episodes of CHS typically begin within 24 hours after cannabis use and may continue for several days.
During an attack, patients can experience relentless vomiting, overwhelming nausea, and severe stomach pain that may leave them unable to carry out normal daily activities.
The symptoms are often so intense that medical professionals coined the nickname “scromiting,” reflecting the fact that some individuals scream while vomiting because of the level of discomfort they experience.
The condition can be especially frustrating because many of the medications commonly used to control nausea provide little or no relief.
Treatment Can Be Challenging
Doctors continue searching for effective treatments, but managing CHS remains difficult.
Dr. Chris Buresh, an emergency medicine specialist, described the current limitations facing healthcare providers.
“There are currently no therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and standard anti-nausea medications often don’t work.”
Because conventional treatments frequently fail, physicians sometimes rely on alternative approaches to help ease symptoms while patients recover.
Among the methods that have been used are hot baths, prolonged hot showers, capsaicin cream applied to the abdomen, and Haldol, a medication more commonly prescribed for psychotic disorders.
Although these approaches do not cure the condition, they may provide temporary symptom relief for some patients during severe episodes.
Hot Showers Can Provide an Important Clue
One unusual feature of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome has become an important diagnostic sign for emergency physicians.
Many patients report that spending extended periods under very hot water noticeably reduces their symptoms.
Dr. Buresh explained that this pattern often helps doctors identify the condition.
“That’s something that can clinch the diagnosis for me, when someone says they’re better with a hot shower,” Buresh said.
Some individuals rely so heavily on this temporary relief that they spend hours in hot baths or showers during an attack.
“Patients describe going through all the hot water in their house.”
While the relief can be significant, it is only temporary and does not address the underlying condition.
Symptoms Often Return if Cannabis Use Continues
One of the defining characteristics of CHS is its tendency to recur.
Even after a patient begins feeling better, another episode may develop if cannabis use continues.
Doctors emphasize that stopping cannabis use is currently the only known way to completely eliminate the condition and prevent future attacks.
Because episodes occur intermittently, however, many people mistakenly believe their illness resulted from another cause and continue using cannabis.
Dr. Carlini warned that this misunderstanding can lead to repeated hospitalizations.
“Because the syndrome strikes intermittently, some cannabis users assume a recent episode was unrelated and continue using — only to become severely ill again.”
Breaking that cycle can be difficult, particularly for individuals who struggle with cannabis dependence.
Researchers Continue Studying Why CHS Develops
Although Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome has become increasingly recognized, researchers are still working to understand why it affects certain people while others never develop symptoms.
The leading theory centers on the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating nausea and vomiting.
Scientists believe prolonged stimulation of this system through cannabis use may eventually interfere with its normal function, leading to repeated episodes of severe gastrointestinal distress.
Even with this theory, many unanswered questions remain regarding why susceptibility differs from one individual to another.
Dr. Buresh explained that the threshold for developing the condition appears to vary widely.
“It seems like there’s a threshold when people can become vulnerable to this condition, and that threshold is different for everyone. Even using in small amounts can make these people start throwing up.”
Study Highlights Trends Among Patients
A study conducted by George Washington University examined more than 1,000 individuals diagnosed with Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome.
The research found that beginning cannabis use at an early age and continuing use over an extended period were strongly associated with emergency room visits resulting from severe vomiting episodes.
The findings also identified concerning trends among younger users.
Between 2016 and 2023, reported cases involving adolescents in the United States increased by more than tenfold.
Researchers also observed differences based on state cannabis laws.
Overall CHS cases were reported more frequently in states where cannabis is legal. However, adolescent cases increased most rapidly in states where recreational cannabis remains illegal.
The reasons for these differences remain the subject of ongoing research.
World Health Organization Formally Recognizes the Condition
An important milestone occurred on October 1, 2025, when the World Health Organization officially recognized Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome by assigning it its own diagnostic code.
The addition allows healthcare providers to more accurately document cases while helping researchers better track how frequently the condition occurs.
Dr. Carlini explained why the change is significant for both physicians and public health experts.
“A new code for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome will supply important hard evidence on cannabis-adverse events, which physicians tell us is a growing problem.”
Having an official diagnosis also supports improved data collection that may contribute to future research into causes, treatment options, and prevention strategies.
Awareness Continues to Grow
As emergency departments continue seeing more cases of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome, healthcare professionals are encouraging greater awareness of the condition among both adults and younger cannabis users.
Although researchers continue studying why some individuals develop CHS while others do not, doctors emphasize that the illness can be debilitating and may return repeatedly if cannabis use continues.
With increasing recognition, ongoing research, and official diagnostic classification, medical experts hope that earlier identification of the syndrome will reduce repeated emergency visits and help patients receive appropriate guidance before symptoms become severe.