In recent years, emergency room visits related to a bizarre condition called 'scromiting' have surged, prompting health experts to issue a serious warning for cannabis users.
While the name may sound humorous, the effects of this health phenomenon are far from funny. In fact, it's become a major concern for both patients and medical professionals.
What Is 'Scromiting' and Why Is It a Concern?
Although the term 'scromiting' may sound odd, it refers to a severe health issue that has been impacting cannabis users across the country.
According to medical experts, scromiting is a symptom of a condition known as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).
This disorder is characterized by severe stomach pain, nausea, and uncontrollable vomiting that can last for days. The Cleveland Clinic identifies cannabis hyperemesis syndrome as the underlying cause of these distressing episodes.
Cannabis users who develop CHS often experience these attacks several times a year, with the symptoms typically starting within a day of cannabis use.
The combination of vomiting and intense abdominal pain can be so overwhelming that it leaves patients in desperate need of emergency care.
Doctor warns of signs of scromiting
Dr. Brad Roberts took part in a video with Wyoming Liberty Group, where he revealed horrific things he'd seen in the ER.
Firstly, he noted: “The most common thing we see is what we call cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. That’s when people have bouts of recurrent vomiting. It’s quite debilitating when it comes on.”
Dr. Roberts added: “People are screaming, they’re retching repeatedly… some ER doctors have started calling it scromiting, a combination of screaming and vomiting. These patients come in miserable - screaming at the top of their lungs and unable to stop vomiting.”
The doctor describes psychosis as the most concerning effect he sees associated with heavy cannabis use.
“The most concerning thing we see is that people get psychosis from it… that really triggered me to get concerned.”
He warns this condition is increasingly common, with cases appearing in the ER every other day.
Dr. Roberts added that the only way to stop scromiting is to cease using cannabis.
The Surprising Cause Behind Scromiting
While the exact cause of CHS remains unclear, experts have speculated that it could be related to an overload of the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is impacted by cannabis use.
Some research, including a recent study published earlier this year, suggests that older individuals who begin using cannabis later in life may be at greater risk of developing CHS. However, younger users are also affected, particularly in states where cannabis remains illegal.
Interestingly, a trend has emerged where states with legalized cannabis see higher overall cases of CHS, while younger individuals in states where cannabis is still prohibited experience a greater incidence of the condition.
The Difficulties in Diagnosing and Treating CHS
One of the challenges doctors face is recognizing CHS, as its symptoms closely resemble those of other common conditions like stomach flu or food poisoning.
Dr. Beatriz Carlini, a researcher at the University of Washington School of Medicine, explains: “A person often will have multiple [emergency department] visits until it is correctly recognized, costing thousands of dollars each time.”
Unfortunately, diagnosing CHS is only the first hurdle.
Treatment for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is also problematic.
There are no officially approved therapies for the condition, and common anti-nausea medications often fail to provide relief.
As a result, doctors sometimes turn to alternative treatments such as hot baths, capsaicin cream (commonly used for pain relief), or even Haldol, a drug typically prescribed to manage psychotic episodes.