Scromiting — the terrifying cannabis side effect sending users to the ER

“Scromiting” may sound like a made-up word, but it describes a very real and disturbing condition. A growing number of cannabis users in the United States are ending up in emergency rooms with intense nausea, violent vomiting, and stomach pain so severe it makes them scream. Doctors have officially named the condition Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) — but “scromiting” (a mix of “screaming” and “vomiting”) has become the nickname among medical professionals.

Over the past decade, hospitals have seen a major rise in CHS cases. Some patients visit the ER multiple times a year, often before doctors correctly diagnose the condition.

Dr. Beatriz Carlini, from the University of Washington School of Medicine, says each hospital visit can cost thousands of dollars, especially since typical treatments for nausea often don’t work on CHS patients.

There’s no clear explanation yet for why some cannabis users develop CHS while others don’t. But doctors believe that overuse or long-term use of cannabis may overload the body’s natural system for controlling nausea, leading to repeated bouts of vomiting.

Symptoms of CHS usually begin within 24 hours of using cannabis and can last for several days. The vomiting is so intense that patients often scream in pain — hence the nickname “scromiting.”

Dr. Chris Buresh, an emergency medicine doctor, explains that standard anti-nausea medications rarely help. Instead, doctors turn to unusual remedies like:

• Hot showers or baths, which many patients find comforting.
• Capsaicin cream, a chili pepper extract rubbed on the stomach.
• Haldol, a powerful drug usually used to treat severe mental illness.

“One clue we look for is when patients say they feel better after hot showers,” says Dr. Buresh. “Some even use up all the hot water in their homes.”

Anyone who uses cannabis — even in small amounts — could potentially get CHS. But studies show it’s more likely in those who started using at a young age or have been using for a long time.

A study by George Washington University found that early and frequent cannabis users were more likely to suffer from CHS. And between 2016 and 2023, adolescent cases rose more than ten times — with the sharpest increases in states where recreational cannabis is still illegal.

While legal states report more adult CHS cases overall, younger users appear to be more at risk in places where cannabis is harder to access legally, which may suggest use of unregulated or more potent products.

There’s only one real cure

The only way to fully stop CHS is to quit cannabis completely. Unfortunately, many users don’t realize that cannabis is causing their symptoms — especially because the condition comes and goes, and people often feel fine between episodes.

“People assume it was just food poisoning or a stomach bug,” says Dr. Carlini. “Then they use cannabis again and end up back in the ER.”

On October 1, 2025, the World Health Organization formally recognized CHS as a medical condition and gave it an official diagnosis code. This means doctors can now report it more easily and track its spread, helping public health experts understand the full impact of cannabis use on health.

“This code gives us hard data,” says Dr. Carlini, “and shows that cannabis-related health problems are growing.”

As cannabis becomes more widely used across the U.S., both legally and illegally, experts warn that awareness is key. Teens and adults alike should know that even a substance seen as “natural” or “safe” can have serious side effects.

If you or someone you know experiences repeated vomiting and nausea — especially if hot showers help — it may be time to reconsider cannabis use and talk to a doctor.