Woman hospitalised by horrific ‘scromiting’ weed side effect shares disturbing impact on health
Warning: This article contains discussion of drugs which some readers may find distressing.
A woman has opened up about how experiencing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) made her realise she had a problem with smoking weed.
Consistently topping lists for the 'most commonly used illicit substance' in countries such as the US, UK and beyond, cannabis remains the recreational drug of choice for many.
For most users, the drug provides a sense of euphoria or relaxation and is even a way to manage chronic pain – but like all drugs, this isn't without side effects.
Advert
And one of those is ‘scromiting’, a condition which many have described as being worse than childbirth.
What is 'scromiting'
Officially called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), scromiting is an amalgamation of the words 'screaming' and 'vomiting' and is most likely to impact long-term cannabis users.
CHS is known to cause symptoms such as severe nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, all of which are tied to smoking weed.
Personal accounts of people who've experienced scromiting will make your stomach cramp just reading them, with one woman revealing the unpleasant impact it had on her health.
Taking to YouTube to educate people on the topic, content creator Allie opened up about her experience, which started with mild nausea and ended up with her being treated for pancreatitis in hospital.
Explaining that CHS was not an overdose but instead the result of 'heavy, prolonged use', recalled waking up with the 'worst nausea of my life'.
"I went to the bathroom when I threw up and it was just different than anything I had ever felt," she said.
"I've gotten sick, I've had food poisoning, I've had stomach bugs, I've had all that [but] it was just different... my stomach was burning."
The episode would end with Allie being diagnosed with pancreatitis after receiving treatment in hospital.
"That was the first time I had ever gotten sick from weed but I honestly just didn't really believe it, I guess," she said of the episode.
This wasn't the only time in which Allie experienced CHS, recalling bouts of nausea, repeated vomiting and severe headaches which woke her up in the middle of the night.
"I would get scared to go to sleep," she said. After three nights of the same symptoms, she was first told about CHS but initially dismissed the suggestion.
"I didn't want to believe it, because I didn't want to stop smoking."
After a particularly bad break-up, Allie began smoking heavily again, leading to her finally realising it was the cannabis causing her symptoms.
Now sober, Allie is speaking openly about the impact smoking weed had on her health.
"I never would have expected me to be able to be happy without smoking because I relied on it so much," she said. "I hated it; it's one of the worst things ever."
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
Brenna Cooper