What is 'Scromiting'? ER Doctors Are Seeing it More

Key Points:

• Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), characterized by severe cyclic vomiting and abdominal pain linked to chronic cannabis use, has been increasingly reported in U.S. emergency departments since cannabis legalization and rising THC potency.
• CHS symptoms often mimic cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) and can include intense vomiting sometimes accompanied by "scromiting," though the latter term is considered derogatory by some experts.
• The surge in CHS cases may be related to higher THC concentrations in modern cannabis products, which can reach up to 95%, and increased overall cannabis consumption following legalization.
• CHS primarily affects young adults with prolonged, frequent use of high-potency cannabis, and quitting cannabis to resolve symptoms can be challenging due to underlying reasons for use.
• Research also links cannabis use with increased schizophrenia risk, especially in genetically predisposed individuals, and mental health conditions often co-occur with CHS, though causal relationships remain unclear.