Alright, so you love weed. Maybe you smoke daily, maybe just occasionally—but one thing’s for sure: you never expected it to make you violently sick. But for some unlucky folks, there’s a weird and nasty condition called Cannabis-Induced Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) that can turn your chill sessions into a full-blown nightmare, particularly if you smoke frequently.
Wait, What? Weed Can Make You Sick?!
Yep. Even though cannabis is praised for helping with nausea (think cancer patients using it for chemo relief), long-term and/or heavy use can have the opposite effect on some people. Instead of calming the stomach, it triggers intense, uncontrollable vomiting.
We’re not talking about just feeling a little queasy. CHS is hardcore. It makes you throw up over and over again—sometimes for hours or even days. And since you can’t keep food or water down, it can lead to severe dehydration, confusion, and even kidney failure if not treated.
The Infamous “Scromiting” Phenomenon
If CHS is bad, “scromiting” is even worse. This lovely term — a mix of “screaming” and “vomiting” — describes the absolute misery of some CHS sufferers. Imagine puking so violently and repeatedly that you’re also crying, screaming, and writhing in pain. Yeah. Not exactly the relaxing cannabis experience for which you signed up!
Symptoms of CHS
CHS doesn’t usually hit right away. It builds up over time, usually affecting long-term, heavy cannabis users. Here’s how it plays out:
1. Prodromal Phase (The Warning Signs)
- Morning nausea
- Stomach pain
- Feeling queasy after smoking
- Anxiety about eating
Most people ignore these symptoms, thinking they just have a weak stomach. Big mistake.
2. Hyperemetic Phase (The Full-Blown Nightmare)
- Non-stop vomiting (we’re talking dozens of times a day)
- Severe stomach pain
- Sweating
- Scromiting (yep, it’s real)
- Dehydration (which can lead to hospitalization)
At this point, nothing seems to help—except one strange thing…
3. The “Hot Shower Fix”
Taking a hot shower or bath is a bizarre but well-documented temporary relief for CHS. For some reason, heat helps calm the symptoms—but only for a little while. If you obsessively take hot showers because it’s the only thing that helps, that’s a huge red flag.
4. Recovery Phase (If You Quit, and You Really… Really Want to Considering Quitting)
The only real way to stop CHS is to quit weed completely. Once you do, the symptoms go away in a few days to weeks. Some people try to cut back instead of quitting, but CHS almost always comes back unless you stop entirely. The reasons for this are currently poorly understood, but the only method known to eliminate CHS is to abstain from all forms of cannabis – smoking, edibles, all of it.
The Real Dangers: Dehydration & More
CHS isn’t just an inconvenience—it can be life-threatening. Here’s why:
- Severe dehydration – Constant vomiting means you’re losing water fast, which can cause dizziness, fainting, and even organ damage.
- Electrolyte imbalance – Low levels of sodium, potassium, and other key minerals can mess with your heart and muscles.
- Kidney failure – If dehydration gets bad enough, your kidneys can shut down.
- Esophageal damage – Repeated vomiting can tear your esophagus, leading to internal bleeding.
Who Gets CHS?
Not everyone who smokes weed will get CHS. But you’re more at risk if you:
- Use cannabis daily or multiple times a week
- Have been smoking for years
- Experience frequent nausea or stomach pain
- Find relief in hot showers
So, What’s the Solution?
Hate to say it, but quitting weed is the only real cure. Once you stop, your body resets, and the vomiting stops. If you’re not ready to quit completely, at least take a break and see if symptoms improve.
If you or someone you know is stuck in a CHS episode, get medical help ASAP — especially if dehydration sets in. IV fluids and anti-nausea meds can help stabilize things.
Bottom Line
CHS is real, and it sucks. If you’re a heavy smoker dealing with random nausea, stomach pain, or—god forbid—scromiting, your body might be telling you it’s time for a change. Listen to it before things get worse.
Stay safe and keep an eye on your health!
