Daijiworld Media Network - US
US, Dec 4: A severe vomiting disorder connected to chronic cannabis use is increasingly being reported across the United States. According to a large national study published in JAMA Network Open, emergency department cases of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) rose dramatically between 2016 and 2022, with the highest spike recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CHS, a condition associated with long-term cannabis consumption, triggers relentless nausea, abdominal pain and repeated vomiting that can last for hours or days. It has come to be known colloquially as “scromiting,” a mix of screaming and vomiting, due to the intense discomfort experienced by patients. Many also engage in excessive hot showers or baths to temporarily relieve symptoms.
Researchers led by James A. Swartz, PhD, from the University of Illinois Chicago, examined more than 188 million emergency department visits across the country. They linked the surge in cases to increased access to cannabis, the rapid expansion of legalization, and the availability of high-potency products. Young adults between 18 and 25 years were identified as the most affected group. Swartz noted that the increase during the pandemic coincided with rising alcohol dependency and drug overdose cases in the same period.
CHS often begins with a prolonged prodromal stage marked by nausea and discomfort before escalating to repeated vomiting, weight loss and severe abdominal pain. Though medications may provide momentary relief, doctors confirm that complete cessation of cannabis use is the only proven cure. Medical experts caution that even returning to moderate consumption can potentially trigger a recurrence.
Specialists advise that early signs such as unexplained nausea should be treated as a warning. They also stress that many cases remain undiagnosed or mistaken for other gastrointestinal disorders, as CHS only recently received an official diagnostic code.
Researchers conclude that the rise in CHS highlights the urgent need for greater awareness among healthcare providers and cannabis users as legalization continues to expand across the US.