Emergency rooms have seen a nearly 400% increase in visits related to cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) since October 2025, a condition characterized by severe nausea, debilitating stomach pain, and relentless vomiting often accompanied by screaming, earning it the nickname “scromiting.”
The surge in identified cases is largely attributed to the introduction of a specific ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for CHS in October 2025. This code has facilitated easier identification and tracking of the disorder by healthcare professionals.
Prior to the new code, CHS cases often went undiagnosed or were misattributed to other gastrointestinal issues. "The most common misconception about CHS is that it is even a real condition," John Puls, a psychotherapist and master’s certified addiction professional, stated in December. "Most physicians, especially in emergency rooms where patients often end up with CHS, attribute the problem to some other type of G.I. issue."
Following the code's implementation, ER visits involving CHS jumped from 3.35 per 10,000 people in September 2025 to 11.26 per 10,000 in October 2025, and further rose to 13.10 per 10,000 by May 2026. A CDC report indicated that CHS-related ER visit rates remained relatively stable from January 2023 through September 2025 before the significant spike.
Emerging evidence suggests that CHS symptoms may develop sooner than previously believed, potentially within the first year of cannabis use, challenging earlier assumptions that it primarily affected long-term, daily users. Younger individuals, particularly those aged 15 to 24 and females, represent a disproportionate share of CHS-related ER visits.
Research also indicates that the method of cannabis consumption may influence the onset of symptoms. A study in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research found that users of electronic vape cartridges experienced chronic vomiting more rapidly compared to those who smoked or consumed edibles. This finding coincides with an increase in vaping usage, with approximately 15 million teenagers currently using e-cigarettes.
For individuals suffering from CHS, "scromiting" episodes can manifest within 24 hours after using cannabis. Previous research indicated that ER cases for CHS had already doubled between 2017 and 2021, affecting an estimated 2.75 million people in the U.S.
Complications arising from CHS can be severe, including erosion of tooth enamel, acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, significant weight loss, and in extreme cases, seizures, kidney failure, or death.