Weed smokers warned over ‘scromiting’ side effect with pain worse than childbirth
Warning: This article contains discussion of drugs which some readers may find distressing.
A sense of euphoria and increase in appetite but also trouble sleeping, nausea and dizziness – all common side effects of smoking cannabis.
Sure, it's proven to help some manage chronic pain, but it can also cause respiratory problems and other health issues. And while its impact can differ, smokers are being warned over one particular side effect that’s said to be even more painful than childbirth.
A rather distressing thing, ‘scromiting’ is a combination of the words ‘screaming’ and ‘vomiting’.
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Yeah, just as pleasant as it sounds.
This is a symptom of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) which causes serious stomach pain and can affect chronic cannabis users. It’s so bad and becoming common enough that the World Health Organisation has formally recognised it.
Scromiting - an explainer
Scromiting is the hallmark symptom of CHS, which Cleveland Clinic says happens when you have cycles of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain after using cannabis for a long time.
‘Hyperemesis’ means severe vomiting and CHS can lead to serious health complications if you don’t get treatment for it.
And obviously, the slang term comes from the idea that the pain can be so bad that you’ll be screaming in pain along with the throwing up.
It’s said that people suffering from it can often find temporary relief from the symptoms by taking hot baths and showers.
Doctors have previously struggled to distinguish scromiting from stomach flu or food poisoning.
‘Worse than childbirth’
One user on TikTok said that this vomiting from chronic cannabis use is more painful than having a baby.
“This s**t’s wild, it’s some of the worst physical pain I’ve ever experienced in my life, and I birthed him, a nine-pound baby,” one said, showing their son.
“I was crying and screaming, like I can’t take this anymore, I’m just begging God, please make it stop.”
Others say it had them ‘throwing up 24/7’ as they felt like they ‘almost died’.
Like with food poisoning, scromiting leads to severe dehydration and loss of electrolytes and, in serious cases, can be fatal.
Is there a remedy to scromiting?
Some have ended up in hospital with their symptoms and while the hot water is found to be the common trick for relief, the only real solution seems to be quitting smoking completely.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
Jess Battison