A little-known but serious condition linked to long-term cannabis use is gaining attention. It is called Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), and it has recently been formally recognised in medical classification systems.
CHS affects regular, long-term cannabis users. While marijuana is often viewed as relatively low-risk, doctors are seeing more patients arriving at emergency departments with the same troubling symptoms.
The condition has earned a grim nickname: “scromiting.” The term combines “screaming” and “vomiting,” which reflects the severity of the episodes.
People with CHS can experience intense nausea, severe stomach pain and repeated vomiting. In some cases, vomiting can happen several times an hour. Episodes may last for hours and can return multiple times a year. Many patients require hospital treatment.
Research suggests the risk is higher in people who have used cannabis frequently for many years, especially those who began in their teens. Experts believe the problem may be linked to overstimulation of the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate nausea and digestion.
One unusual clue doctors look for is relief from hot showers or baths. Many patients report that heat temporarily eases their symptoms.
The most effective treatment is simple but difficult: stopping cannabis use completely. For regular users, this condition is a reminder that even widely accepted substances can carry serious risks over time.