Scromiting, a slang blend of “screaming” and “vomiting,” is a dramatic nickname for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) – a severe vomiting condition linked to heavy, long‑term marijuana use. To keep this explanation discoverable and focused, the term “scromiting” will be used throughout, but the medical name is CHS.
What is scromiting (cannabis hyperemesis syndrome)?
Scromiting describes episodes where a person who uses cannabis frequently experiences intense, cyclical nausea, stomach pain, and relentless vomiting that can last for hours or longer. Doctors now group these cases under CHS, first described in 2004, and emergency departments have reported a noticeable rise in such visits, especially among adults aged 18–35 in the last few years.
People dealing with scromiting often arrive at the ER severely dehydrated and exhausted, having already tried to manage symptoms at home without success.
Cannabis-Induced 'Scromiting' Is on the Rise, Study Finds https://t.co/wjolqyaY3Y
— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) November 30, 2025
Symptoms and strange hot‑water behavior in scromiting
The typical scromiting pattern includes:
- Repeated bouts of extreme nausea and vomiting, often in cycles
- Cramping or burning abdominal pain with no obvious cause on scans or lab tests
- A strong urge to take very hot showers or baths because the heat temporarily eases the discomfort
Clinicians frequently hear the same story: patients say only really hot water seems to help, sometimes spending long periods under scalding showers. Over time, this can become almost compulsive, as the brain links heat with symptom relief.
What causes scromiting – and who is at risk?
Researchers are still figuring out exactly why scromiting happens. It doesn’t occur in all cannabis users, and there’s no universal “threshold” of use that guarantees CHS. However, patterns seen in surveys and case studies include:
- Long‑term, heavy use: Many patients report using marijuana daily for more than a year, often multiple times per day (some more than five times daily).
- Early onset of use: Starting cannabis at a younger age is associated with a higher likelihood of later CHS.
- Persistent use despite symptoms: People may suffer episodes for months or years before anyone connects their vomiting to cannabis.
Because standard tests (bloodwork, imaging, endoscopy) are often normal, scromiting is frequently misdiagnosed as food poisoning, stomach flu, or other GI disorders, leading to repeated ER visits without clear answers.
Recovery and treatment for scromiting
The most important and effective treatment for scromiting is stopping cannabis use completely. Once someone with CHS quits marijuana, recovery can take days, weeks, or sometimes months, depending on:
- How long and how heavily they were using
- Their overall health and nutrition
- How quickly they re‑establish normal eating, hydration, and sleep patterns
Acute episodes are managed in the hospital with:
- IV fluids and electrolytes for dehydration
- Medications to control nausea and pain
- Careful monitoring if vomiting is severe
If the person resumes regular cannabis use, scromiting episodes almost always return.
Why doctors want more awareness of scromiting
Experts are calling for better screening and recognition of scromiting in clinics and emergency departments. Asking straightforward questions about cannabis use, especially in young adults with unexplained recurrent vomiting, can:
- Speed up diagnosis
- Reduce unnecessary tests and costs
- Help patients understand that quitting cannabis is crucial for recovery
Scromiting is still being researched, but one thing is clear: for people who develop CHS, continuing marijuana use keeps the cycle going, while stopping is the key step toward long‑term relief