Credit: Adobe Stock
Weed Smokers Explain What Terrifying ‘Scromiting’ Side Effect Really Feels Like
Weed smokers have been taking to social media to reveal the horrifying reality of ‘scromiting’.
The grim side effect of chronic cannabis use is said to be on the rise in the United States and it sounds absolutely terrifying.
With around 61.9 million Americans reported to smoke cannabis on a regular basis, marijuana is now believed to be more commonly used than alcohol, particularly since its legalization across multiple states in the US.
However, with the increased use, ‘scromiting’ cases are said to have increased by more than five times between 2016 and 2022 among young adults, with the number of people affected continuing to grow.
Many cannabis users might not be aware of the potential risks related to the drug, which is now commonly prescribed for a number of medical conditions, with regular use of the plant-based drug associated with cognitive decline.
What is scromiting?
Scromiting is the commonly used name for a debilitating condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), which involves nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain following prolonged marijuana use, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The unusual name comes from a mixture of ‘screaming’ and ‘vomiting,’ but scromiting is far more than just being sick every now and then after smoking weed.
Hyperemesis refers to severe vomiting, often to an extent which could lead to serious illness if treatment is not sought.
In these cases, vomiting episodes can last for several hours or even days, with many sufferers seeking out heat from baths or showers to help ease the severe abdominal pains that come with it.
Scromiting is associated with chronic cannabis use, particularly those who smoke it on a daily basis, however it’s unclear why some people appear more susceptible to the illness than others.
Scromiting recognised by the World Health Organization
In recent years, scromiting cases have become such a problem that the condition has now been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is said to help ‘count and monitor’ the cases.
“In studying addiction and other public health concerns, we have three sources of data: what clinicians tell us, what people in the communities tell us, and what health records tell us,” Beatriz Carlini, a research associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said.
“A new code for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome will supply important hard evidence on cannabis-adverse events, which physicians tell us is a growing problem.”
Weed smokers explain what scromiting actually feels like
A number of people who have suffered the grim reality of scromiting have taken to social media to reveal what it’s really like, and it’s certainly no picnic.
One woman, who said she’s been smoking weed around three to four times a day for more than four years, shared how she ‘almost died’ from the condition as a result of her prolonged use of the drug.
“I almost died from it, I couldn’t eat or drink for a week. I was throwing up 24/7,” she said in one video on TikTok. “I was in severe pain, passing in and out of consciousness, and I lost 20lbs in a week from it.”
@lizhaniford hoping this reaches the right people #foryou #chs #awareness #healthmatters ♬ original sound – liz 🦖
In a subsequent video, she explained: “I threw up at first, and I continued to smoke, threw up again, continued to smoke,” adding that this cycle continued until her ‘body couldn’t handle it anymore.’
Another woman has revealed how she found the pain to be worse than childbirth when sharing her experience on TikTok.
“This s***’s wild, it’s some of the worst physical pain I’ve ever experienced in my life, and I birthed him, a 9-pound baby,” she said.
“I was crying and screaming, like I can’t take this anymore, I’m just begging God, please make it stop.”
The only cure is to quit smoking weed
While hot baths and showers can somewhat relieve symptoms temporarily, there’s no way to cure CHS without giving up weed completely.
Scientists don’t currently know exactly what causes scromiting, but it’s believed to be when a person’s body starts completely rejecting cannabis due to long-term overstimulation of receptors in the endocannabinoid system.
The illness is most commonly associated with people who have been smoking weed for upwards of a decade, but healthcare providers may consider a diagnosis in anyone who has been chronically smoking for a year or more.
Because of the dangers that can arise from persistent vomiting, such as dehydration leading to organ failure, it’s extremely important to seek medical attention if these symptoms occur.
Want more stuff like this?
Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox!
