Doctors warn of rise in ‘scromiting,’ a severe vomiting condition linked to heavy marijuana use

Doctors across the United States are seeing a rise in a painful and unusual condition tied to chronic marijuana use, particularly among frequent users and teenagers. The condition is called cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, or CHS, and is commonly referred to as “scromiting” due to the combination of screaming and severe vomiting that many patients experience.

Those who develop CHS often arrive in the emergency room doubled over in pain, dehydrated, and unable to stop vomiting. Physicians say bouts can last for hours and return repeatedly without warning. Some patients report taking extremely hot showers or baths in an attempt to ease symptoms, but doctors say the relief is only temporary.

Researchers first identified CHS in 2004 while studying chronic marijuana users in Australia. Their symptoms disappeared after they stopped using cannabis but returned when they started again. What makes the condition especially puzzling is that cannabis is also widely used as a treatment to reduce nausea and vomiting for chemotherapy patients.

Experts believe the rise in CHS may be linked to the increasing potency of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. In some states, THC levels in cannabis products have tripled compared to the 1990s. Still, not every heavy user is affected, and researchers are working to understand why some people develop the condition while others do not.

Recent studies show the condition is becoming more common nationwide, and adolescents are increasingly showing up in hospitals with symptoms. During the pandemic years, CHS cases among young adults rose sharply and remain high.

Treatment for CHS typically includes IV fluids and anti-nausea medications, along with extensive testing to rule out other medical conditions. Doctors warn that if vomiting continues too long, patients can face serious complications including electrolyte imbalances, shock, and organ failure.

A new medical diagnosis code added in October is expected to give researchers better tools to track the condition and understand the risks as marijuana use continues to grow in the United States.

Credit: CNN Newsource

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.