Scromiting — the mix of screaming and uncontrollable vomiting — is linked to chronic marijuana use. Learn causes, symptoms, risks, treatment, and 2025 updates about cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).

Introduction

As recreational marijuana use continues to rise in the United States, doctors are reporting a sharp increase in a strange and extremely painful condition known as “scromiting.” The unofficial name comes from the mix of screaming and violent vomiting that many patients experience.

Medically, the condition is called Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) — a severe reaction triggered by long-term or heavy marijuana use.
In 2025, CHS has become so common that emergency rooms across the country are seeing record numbers of adolescents and adults arriving with symptoms they cannot control.

This article breaks down:

What scromiting actually is
Why it happens
Symptoms
Treatment
Why hot showers help
New 2025 research and official diagnosis code
Why cases are rising across the US

Written in professional but simple English, this guide helps readers understand this unusual and dangerous condition.

What Is Scromiting?

Scromiting is the social media term for the medical condition Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).
It involves severe vomiting, intense abdominal pain, and episodes of panic or crying, usually in people who smoke or consume marijuana regularly.

Why the name “scromiting”?

Because many patients:

Vomit violently
Cry or scream from the unbearable pain
Feel trapped in cycles of nonstop nausea

Doctors say the pain can be “worse than childbirth” for some patients.

Medical Name: Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)

CHS is a condition caused by:

Frequent marijuana use
Long-term cannabis exposure
High-potency THC products

It affects the digestive system and certain areas of the brain involved in nausea and vomiting control.

What makes CHS so bizarre is that marijuana is often used to treat nausea — yet in heavy users, it can cause the exact opposite effect.

Symptoms of Scromiting / CHS

CHS symptoms usually appear in cycles:

1. Prodromal Phase (Warning Stage)

Morning nausea
Abdominal discomfort
Anxiety after using marijuana
Desire to continue using cannabis (because it temporarily seems to help)

This stage can last months or years before the vomiting stage begins.

2. Hyperemetic Phase (Active Scromiting)

This is the phase where patients end up in the ER.

Symptoms include:

Uncontrollable vomiting for hours
Severe stomach pain
Dehydration
Sweating and shaking
Compulsive hot showers or baths
Fear, crying, or screaming during episodes
Inability to eat or drink

Vomiting becomes so intense that people can vomit:

Bile
Stomach acid
Even after the stomach is empty

This cycle may repeat multiple times per month in heavy cannabis users.

3. Recovery Phase

Symptoms improve only when:

Cannabis is completely stopped

Once marijuana use ends, symptoms fade within days to weeks.

If cannabis is used again, symptoms almost always return.

Why Do Hot Showers Help?

One of the strangest features of scromiting is the compulsive need for extremely hot baths or showers.

Almost all CHS patients report:

Standing under scalding water
Taking multiple hot showers each day
Temporary relief from pain and vomiting

Why does heat help?

Scientists believe heat affects the same pain receptors in the brain that THC influences.

Hot water may:

Distract the brain from abdominal pain
Interrupt abnormal nerve signals
Temporarily reduce nausea

But the relief lasts only minutes to hours — symptoms always return.

Why Does Marijuana Cause Scromiting?

Researchers still don’t know exactly why this happens, but they have several strong theories.

1. High THC Levels Today Are Much Stronger

In the 1990s:

Typical THC potency = 4–5%

In 2025:

Many states sell products with 15–20% THC
THC concentrates can reach 60–90%

Higher potency = higher risk.

2. Overstimulation of Cannabinoid Receptors

Long-term exposure to THC may overwhelm receptors in the:

Gut
Brain
Nervous system

This can flip THC’s effect from anti-nausea to pro-nausea.

3. Genetics May Play a Role

Not every marijuana user develops CHS.

Scientists believe some people may be genetically more sensitive to THC.

4. Dose and Frequency Matter

Risk increases with:

Daily or multiple-times-per-day use
High-potency edibles, oils, or vaping
Long-term use
THC concentrates

How Common Is Scromiting in the USA? (2025 Data)

CHS is becoming more common each year.

Key findings from recent US studies:

Emergency room visits for CHS in adolescents (13–21) increased 10× between 2016–2023
Adults aged 18–35 saw major spikes during 2020–2021
Over 800,000 cannabis-related vomiting cases were reported in Colorado between 2013–2018
Rates sharply rose in counties with newly opened marijuana dispensaries

CHS is now considered a national health concern.

New Breakthrough in 2025: Official Diagnosis Code

Until 2025, CHS was hard to track because it wasn’t recognized by medical coding systems.

On October 1, 2025, the U.S. government created the official ICD-10 diagnosis code:

R11.16 — Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome

The World Health Organization (WHO) followed with a global coding standard.

This means:

More accurate tracking
Better research
Faster diagnosis
More reliable statistics

Doctors expect future CHS studies to be more accurate because of this change.

How Doctors Diagnose Scromiting

There is no single test for CHS.

Doctors diagnose scromiting by ruling out other causes with:

Blood tests
Urine tests
CT scans
Ultrasound
Stomach emptying studies
Endoscopy

Many patients undergo these painful or expensive tests multiple times before CHS is identified.

Emergency Room Treatment for Scromiting

During the hyperemetic phase, treatment focuses on:

1. IV Fluids

To treat dehydration from nonstop vomiting.

2. Anti-Nausea Medications

Medications like:

Ondansetron
Haloperidol
Droperidol

These help control symptoms.

3. Pain Management

Because abdominal pain can be intense.

4. Electrolyte Correction

Vomiting lowers:

Sodium
Potassium
Chloride

Imbalances can cause:

Seizures
Irregular heartbeat
Kidney damage

5. Hot Shower Safety

Hospitals monitor patients who take hot showers because:

Burns
Dizziness
Fainting

are common.

The Only True Cure: Stopping Cannabis

Every study so far shows:

Symptoms disappear completely when marijuana use stops.

But they return if cannabis is used again.

Many patients experience:

Multiple ER visits
Several misdiagnoses
Long-term cycles of vomiting

before learning that cannabis is the cause.

Why Teens Are at Higher Risk

Doctors report rising cases among teenagers because:

They use high-potency vaping oils
They underestimate risks
They use marijuana multiple times a day
THC levels are much higher than in the past
Their bodies are still developing

Long-Term Risks of Untreated Scromiting

If not treated, CHS can lead to:

Extreme dehydration
Electrolyte imbalance
Shock
Kidney failure
Heart rhythm problems
Organ damage

In severe cases, the condition can become life-threatening.

Why CHS Cases Are Increasing in 2025

Scientists point to several factors:

✔ Legalization across more states

✔ THC potency continuing to rise

✔ Wider access to edibles and concentrates

✔ Heavier use among teens and young adults

✔ Lack of awareness about CHS

✔ Increased daily use for stress, anxiety, and sleep

How to Prevent Scromiting

The only proven prevention is:

Stop cannabis use — especially high-potency THC products.

Other prevention tips:

Avoid daily or heavy marijuana use
Stay away from high-THC concentrates
Use regulated products only
Seek medical advice if you notice early symptoms
Educate teens and young adults about risks

FAQs About Scromiting

1. Can scromiting be cured?

Yes — stopping cannabis use eliminates symptoms.

2. Why does marijuana cause vomiting?

Heavy long-term THC use disrupts the brain and gut systems that control nausea.

3. Does everyone who uses marijuana get CHS?

No. Genetics and usage patterns affect risk.

4. Is scromiting dangerous?

Yes. It can cause dehydration, shock, and organ failure if untreated.

5. How long does recovery take?

Most people improve within days to weeks after quitting cannabis.

Final Thoughts

Scromiting, or cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, is a painful and rapidly growing condition tied to chronic marijuana use — especially high-THC products. With legalization expanding across the country, CHS has become a major public health concern.

The good news: CHS is completely reversible once cannabis use stops.
Greater awareness, accurate diagnosis, and early treatment can prevent severe complications.

For anyone experiencing intense vomiting and abdominal pain after marijuana use, medical help is crucial — and stopping cannabis is the key to full recovery.