What is scromiting? The cannabis side effect few people know about
Peer reviewed by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGPAuthored by Heather AinsworthOriginally published 19 Jan 2026
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Meet scromiting: a mix of screaming and vomiting that can hit long-term cannabis users. It's intense, confusing, and on the rise, but knowing why it happens can help you avoid the worst of it.
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What is scromiting?
Scromiting is severe, uncontrollable sickness (vomiting) caused by heavy or long-term cannabis use, often accompanied by intense stomach pain and distress.1
The term comes from combining screaming and vomiting, and it describes a serious symptom of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).
What is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?
CHS is a newly recognised condition linked to long-term cannabis use, causing cycles of nausea, vomiting, and frequent hot baths or showers.2
Extreme vomiting during CHS is called "scromiting", and with the number of cannabis users on the rise, this unknown side effect is likely to become more common amongst users.
In simple terms, scromiting is an extreme and painful symptom that can occur as part of CHS - not a separate condition on its own.
What causes scromiting?
Back to contentsScromiting is caused by long-term or heavy cannabis use, especially with products high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the compound that causes a “high”. Cannabis products that contain only cannabidiol (CBD) rarely cause scromiting.
While cannabis can help with feeling sick (nausea) at first,3 regular use over time can have the opposite effect.
THC can disrupt your body’s natural systems that control digestion and vomiting, which, for reasons not fully understood, can eventually lead to uncontrollable nausea and vomiting.
Why does scromiting happen only after long-term cannabis use?
Scromiting usually happens only after long-term cannabis use because your body’s response to cannabis changes over time.
Regular use can disrupt the brain and gut systems that control nausea and digestion, so what once helped the stomach can eventually make it worse.
That’s why many people can use cannabis for years without issues before suddenly developing symptoms, making CHS surprising and confusing.
Does scromiting happen to everyone who uses cannabis?
No, it usually only shows up in people who use cannabis heavily or for a long time, especially products high in THC.
Some people can use cannabis for years without ever experiencing it, while others may be more sensitive to its effects on the stomach and digestive system.
Scromiting symptoms
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What are the symptoms of scromiting?
Back to contentsYou may be experiencing scromiting if you have symptoms such as:
Severe, repeated vomiting.
Intense nausea.
Stomach pain or cramping.
Sweating and dehydration.
Distress, crying, or screaming.
Temporary relief from hot showers or baths.
How long does scromiting last?
Scromiting can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on how severe it is. If cannabis use continues, symptoms may repeat and become harder to manage.
The good news is that many people start to see improvement after stopping cannabis completely - sometimes within a few days, though full relief can take weeks as their body gradually recovers and resets.
Is scromiting dangerous?
Back to contentsYes, scromiting can be dangerous.
The constant, severe vomiting can lead to:
Electrolyte imbalances.
Extreme exhaustion.
In some cases, you may need medical care to recover safely.
It’s not something to ignore - if it’s happening, stopping cannabis and getting medical help is the safest way to protect your health.
Continue reading below
How is scromiting treated?
Back to contentsTreating scromiting usually starts with stopping cannabis completely.
You can also help manage symptoms at home by:
Staying hydrated.
Drinking electrolyte drinks.
Eating light foods.
Resting as much as possible.
Taking warm showers or baths to help with nausea.
Note: see a doctor immediately if vomiting is relentless, you can’t keep fluids down, or you notice signs of dehydration such as dizziness, very dark urine, or extreme fatigue.
In a medical setting, doctors may provide:
IV fluids to rehydrate.
Medicines to control nausea.
Monitoring for complications.
Severe cases may require hospitalisation until symptoms improve.
Key takeaway
Back to contentsScromiting is a severe symptom of long-term cannabis use, usually linked to high-THC products, and can cause uncontrollable vomiting, dehydration, and extreme discomfort.
The best way to prevent it is to monitor your cannabis use, limit high-THC products, and stop using cannabis if symptoms such as recurring nausea or vomiting appear.
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Causes of nausea
Feeling sick - nausea - or being sick is a miserable experience. We tend to think of feeling sick as being a gut problem, but there are lots of other reasons. You have a 'vomiting centre' in your brain and it's often here that the issue lies. In addition, your inner ears play an important role in balance, and an issue affecting the inner ear can often lead to vomiting or feeling sick in addition to dizziness. The other symptoms that go along with feeling or being sick often give clues to the cause.
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Frequently asked questions
What specifically is meant by 'heavy' cannabis use in relation to scromiting?
Scromiting is linked to long-term or heavy cannabis use, especially with products high in THC. The body's response to cannabis changes over time with regular use, disrupting the systems controlling nausea and digestion. This can lead to what once helped the stomach eventually making it worse, causing symptoms to develop after years of use.
If cannabis can initially help with nausea, why does it later cause scromiting?
While cannabis can initially help alleviate feelings of nausea, regular and long-term use can have the opposite effect. The THC in cannabis can disrupt the body's natural systems that control digestion and vomiting, eventually leading to uncontrollable nausea and vomiting, which is not yet fully understood by medical professionals.
Are there any specific types of cannabis products that are more likely to cause scromiting?
Scromiting is especially associated with cannabis products that have a high concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the compound responsible for the 'high'. In contrast, cannabis products containing only cannabidiol (CBD) rarely cause scromiting.
What are the long-term health implications if scromiting is not treated?
If scromiting is not addressed and cannabis use continues, the severe and constant vomiting can lead to dangerous health problems. These include severe dehydration, imbalances in essential body electrolytes, and extreme exhaustion. In some cases, these complications can be serious enough to warrant medical intervention.
Can scromiting return after stopping cannabis use if I start using it again?
The article indicates that if cannabis use continues, symptoms may repeat and become harder to manage. The best way to prevent scromiting is to stop using cannabis completely, especially if you experience recurring nausea or vomiting. While the article doesn't explicitly state that symptoms will return if you restart using cannabis after stopping, it implies that continued use is a risk factor for recurrent or worsened symptoms.
Further reading and references
- Randall K, Hayward K; Emergent Medical Illnesses Related to Cannabis Use. Mo Med. 2019 May-Jun;116(3):226-228.
- Galli JA, Sawaya RA, Friedenberg FK; Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Curr Drug Abuse Rev. 2011 Dec;4(4):241-9. doi: 10.2174/1874473711104040241.
- ONS; Drug misuse in England and Wales: year ending March 2025
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About the authorView full bio
Heather Ainsworth
SEO Manager
BA (Hons) Business and Marketing, IDM Cert DDM, MHFAider®
Heather is the SEO Manager at Patient. She is also a trained Mental Health First Aider. An experienced digital marketer, Heather has a passion for helping people discover expert health content online. She is also a keen writer and contributes to our wellbeing articles.
About the reviewerView full bio
Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
General Practitioner, Medical Author
MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH
Dr Colin Tidy is an NHS Doctor, based in Oxfordshire.
Article history
The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
Next review due: 19 Jan 2029
19 Jan 2026 | Originally published
Authored by:
Heather AinsworthPeer reviewed by
Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
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