Cannabis has become widely available and socially accepted. Many people use it to ease pain, anxiety, or sleep issues, and some find real relief. At the same time, doctors across the country are reporting a growing medical concern linked to heavy, long term cannabis use. It is called scromiting.
Scromiting is a slang term that combines “screaming” and “vomiting.” The medical name is cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, often abbreviated as CHS. At Recovery In Motion, we meet individuals who are confused or scared by these symptoms, and we help them understand what their bodies are trying to tell them.
This guide explains scromiting in clear language, using new research and real patient stories, so you can understand what is happening and what steps can lead to relief.
What Is Scromiting?
Scromiting or cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a condition that sometimes develops in people who use cannabis heavily for years. Most people with CHS report daily or near daily use.
Common symptoms include:
• Strong stomach pain
• Persistent nausea
• Repeated vomiting, sometimes many times in one hour
• Temporary relief only from very hot showers or baths
Emergency room teams can provide fluids and medications, but the only proven long term solution is to stop cannabis use completely.
What Are Doctors Seeing Right Now?
A major rise in ER visits
New 2025 research shows that CHS cases have increased sharply across the United States.
• A national study in JAMA Network Open reviewed more than 188 million ER visits from 2016 to 2022. Visits for CHS increased significantly, especially among adults ages 18 to 35. The steepest rise happened during the COVID era.
• A separate JAMA Network Open study on youth found that CHS-related ER visits for ages 13 to 21 rose an average of 49 percent every year from 2016 to 2023.
Recent news coverage supports these findings.
• Healthline reported a fivefold increase in CHS-related ER visits between 2016 and 2022.
• ScienceAlert and CNN affiliated outlets reported that scromiting is appearing in emergency rooms more often than ever before.
• ClickOnDetroit highlighted how hospitals are now training staff to identify CHS quickly because of the surge in cases.
CHS receives an official diagnosis code
In 2025, the World Health Organization introduced ICD-10 code F12.188 for CHS. This change helps medical teams track the condition more accurately and confirms that CHS is now widely recognized in the medical community.
Simple Diagram: The Scromiting Cycle
Heavy cannabis use (daily, high THC)
↓
Body becomes overwhelmed and stops responding normally
↓
Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome
nausea, stomach pain, vomiting
↓
ER visit
IV fluids, medications, relief from hot showers
↓
Long term solution
Stop cannabis use
Real People, Real Stories
News outlets have shared several non-dramatic patient experiences that help illustrate CHS:
• A 24 year old woman experienced months of vomiting and lost significant weight. She needed a feeding tube before doctors connected her symptoms to long term cannabis use. When she quit, her symptoms gradually improved.
• A man interviewed in the same report described morning nausea and repeated ER visits. Reducing his cannabis use helped somewhat, but physicians emphasize that complete discontinuation leads to the best outcomes.
• People Magazine shared stories of adults vomiting many times per hour and being unable to keep food down. Most recovered steadily after quitting cannabis entirely.
These stories are common among individuals who seek help at Recovery In Motion. Many people are surprised to learn that their symptoms are related to cannabis, especially when they originally used cannabis to feel calmer or more comfortable.
Why Are Scromiting Cases Rising?
Researchers point to several factors behind the rapid increase.
Stronger cannabis products
Modern cannabis, especially concentrates and vapes, contains far higher THC levels than in past decades. This may overwhelm the body’s natural regulatory system.
More daily use
Legalization has made cannabis widely accessible. Heavy daily use patterns are increasingly common and show up consistently in CHS cases.
Younger users
ER visits for CHS in teens and young adults have risen more than tenfold from 2016 to 2023 in some regions.
Better recognition
Before 2025, CHS was often misdiagnosed. Now that physicians are trained to spot the condition, more cases are being correctly identified.
Is Cannabis Still Used Medically?
Yes. Cannabis can still provide benefits for certain people with specific medical needs, but research shows that results vary and side effects are common.
• A 2025 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality review found small improvements for chronic pain and sleep but noted significant side effects.
• A UCLA Health–led review reported that scientific evidence remains limited for pain, anxiety, and insomnia.
• Some studies suggest cannabis may reduce reliance on certain medications, but heavy use increases risks such as dependence, anxiety, and CHS.
Cannabis is not a cure all. If you use cannabis for medical reasons and are experiencing symptoms of CHS, medical guidance is essential.
How Do Doctors Treat Scromiting?
During an ER visit, treatment usually includes:
• IV fluids
• Anti nausea medications
• Pain management
• Electrolyte monitoring
• Warm or hot showers for temporary symptom relief
The most important long term step is complete discontinuation of cannabis. Cutting down may ease symptoms temporarily, but research consistently shows that quitting fully is the only reliable way to prevent CHS from returning.
Doctors may also recommend support such as:
• Counseling
• Anxiety or pain specialists
• Substance use treatment if needed
• Lifestyle or recovery planning
At Recovery In Motion, we help individuals who want to stop cannabis use safely and rebuild their health with support, structure, and proven clinical guidance.
When Should Someone Get Help?
You should seek medical evaluation if you:
• Use cannabis regularly for months or years
• Have repeated vomiting that will not stop
• Experience strong or unexplained stomach pain
• Rely on hot showers for relief
• Cannot keep enough fluids down
These symptoms do not always mean CHS, but they require timely medical attention.
Simple Diagram: Who Seems Most At Risk?
Higher risk
• Daily cannabis use
• Years of use
• High THC products such as vapes or concentrates
• Teens and young adults
Lower risk
• Occasional use
• Lower THC levels
• Medical guidance and monitoring
How Recovery In Motion Can Help
If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of scromiting, help is available. Recovery In Motion provides compassionate, evidence-based treatment for cannabis use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Our team helps patients:
• Understand what their bodies are experiencing
• Safely stop cannabis use under clinical care
• Stabilize physical symptoms
• Build long term coping skills
• Address anxiety, trauma, or chronic pain without relying on substances
If you have questions or are unsure whether you or a loved one is experiencing CHS, reach out. You do not have to navigate this alone.
Sources and Links
AddictionCenter (2025).
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome overview and patient education.
https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/marijuana/hyperemesis-syndrome/
Becker, R. (2025).
ScienceAlert coverage on rising CHS rates and new research findings.
https://www.sciencealert.com/
Bond, M. (2025).
Healthline report on CHS and national ER trends.
https://www.healthline.com/health-news
Chou, R. et al. (2025).
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality review on medical cannabis.
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/
Healthline Staff (2025).
CHS related ER visit increase coverage.
https://www.healthline.com/
LaMotte, S. (2025).
CNN partner health reporting on scromiting and ER cases.
https://www.cnn.com/health
Lennon, R. (2025).
ClickOnDetroit report on hospital training for CHS recognition.
https://www.clickondetroit.com/
People Magazine Staff (2025).
Feature on real CHS patient stories and recovery patterns.
https://people.com/
Swartz, J. & Franceschini, J. (2025).
JAMA Network Open analysis of CHS diagnosis trends.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen
UCHealth (2025).
Clinical educational resources on CHS diagnosis and treatment.
https://www.uchealth.org/
University of Washington School of Medicine (2025).
CHS clinical guidance and recent observations.
https://uwmedicine.org/
Williams, S. (2025).
Science and health reporting on cannabis impacts.
https://www.sciencealert.com/
Yale affiliated authors (2025).
Review of medical cannabis research and efficacy.
https://medicine.yale.edu/Young, J. (2025).
Coverage of youth cannabis use and ER trends.
https://www.healthnews.com/
