Screaming while vomiting is not a meme. It is a medical crisis with a name. Today I am confirming that severe “scromiting” episodes are the most extreme face of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, a condition now formally recognized by medicine and rising in emergency rooms nationwide. If you use cannabis often, this is your health wake‑up call.
What “scromiting” really is
“Scromiting” blends two words, screaming and vomiting. It describes the brutal peak of CHS. People are hit with cycles of nausea, relentless vomiting, and cramping belly pain. Many find fast, odd relief in very hot showers or baths. The pattern repeats for hours or even days, then returns again later. It mainly affects long term, frequent cannabis users.
Doctors have struggled to diagnose it for years. That is changing. CHS now has official diagnostic codes, ICD‑10‑CM R11.16 and ICD‑11 DD90.4. That means better recognition, cleaner medical records, and clearer insurance coverage. It also means we can finally track cases with precision.
Common signs to watch
- Nausea that comes in waves, often in the morning
- Repeated vomiting that will not stop
- Belly pain that eases with hot showers
- Weight loss and dehydration over time
Severe vomiting can cause electrolyte loss, abnormal heart rhythms, kidney injury, and tears in the esophagus. Go to urgent care or the ER if you cannot keep fluids down, feel faint, have chest pain, or notice blood in vomit.
Why this health alert is urgent
Hospitals are seeing many more cases of CHS than a few years ago. Emergency visits tied to CHS have increased several fold since 2016, with spikes in teens and young adults. The likely drivers are clear. More people are using cannabis more often, and modern products pack far higher THC levels than in the past. Daily use and high potency, especially concentrates and vapes, raise risk.
The new diagnostic codes matter for daily care. Clinicians can name it fast, order the right tests, and avoid unnecessary scans and surgeries. Health systems can measure outcomes, fund research, and build treatment pathways. Patients get answers sooner, not months later.
What it feels like inside the body
CHS does not act like a bad takeout meal. It is a brain‑gut storm. THC, when used heavily for years, can flip the body’s control of nausea and pain. The stomach slows. The vomiting center in the brain goes into overdrive. Heat on the skin seems to reset the circuit for a while, which is why hot water helps.
During an attack, the body drains fluid and salts. Potassium and sodium can plummet. The heart can misfire. Kidneys, already stressed by dehydration, can falter. The throat and esophagus can tear from forceful retching. Some patients lose weight fast and need IV fluids or short hospital stays.
What to do today if you have symptoms
The only proven cure is to stop using cannabis. Not cut back. Stop. Most people improve within days, but full recovery can take weeks to months. Here is how to stay safe while you recover.
- Stop cannabis in all forms, including edibles and vapes.
- Rehydrate with oral rehydration solutions, not just water.
- Use short, hot showers for brief relief. Do not scald your skin.
- Ask a clinician about topical capsaicin cream on the belly and back.
- Seek urgent care if vomiting keeps going or you cannot drink.
Keep oral rehydration packets at home. Sip small amounts every 5 to 10 minutes during a flare. Add a salty snack once you can hold fluids.
Hospital teams may use IV fluids, electrolytes, anti‑nausea medicines, and in some cases medicines that quiet the vomiting center. These are short‑term steps while the body resets after quitting THC.
Returning to cannabis, even a little, can quickly trigger CHS again. Many people relapse when they “test” a small dose. Do not test it.
Prevention and recovery
If you use cannabis and want to avoid CHS, lower your risk now. Delay regular use, avoid high‑THC products, skip concentrates, and take true breaks that last weeks. If you have had even one CHS‑like episode, the safest move is to stop completely.
Recovery is a health project. Focus on sleep, gentle movement, bland foods, and steady hydration. Ask your clinician to check electrolytes until you feel stable. If quitting is hard, seek support. Brief counseling, peer groups, and primary care follow‑up improve success and keep you out of the ER.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes CHS different from food poisoning?
Food poisoning comes on fast after a meal and ends in a day or two. CHS comes in cycles over months, and hot showers often help for a short time.
Can CBD cause CHS?
CHS is linked to THC. Many CBD products contain THC, even when labels say otherwise. Any THC exposure can trigger a relapse.
How long until I feel better after quitting?
Some people feel better in a few days. Many need several weeks. Full recovery of appetite and weight can take months.
Will switching to edibles or vaping help?
No. CHS is about THC exposure. Changing the form does not protect you.
Who is most at risk?
People who use cannabis daily, people who started young, and those using high‑THC products, especially concentrates.
Strong conclusion
This is a real medical syndrome with a real code and real risks. The slang may grab attention, but your next move matters more. If the pattern fits you, stop cannabis now, rehydrate, and get checked. Your gut, your heart, and your future self will thank you.
