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highplainsdem

(62,834 posts) Sat May 2, 2026, 05:07 PM Saturday

Why stomach pain, 'scromiting,' and compulsive hot showering are sending cannabis users to Philly-area ERs

https://www.inquirer.com/health/cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome-symptoms-cases-marijuana-thc-20260501.html

-snip-

Feeling better in a hot bath or shower is a telltale sign. Another clue is what doctors call “scromiting,” or screaming while vomiting.

Emergency medicine doctors across the Philadelphia region say they are grappling with a surge in cases at a time when changing state laws have created unprecedented access to legal and potent marijuana.

Two Jefferson Health hospitals — Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Center City and Jefferson Methodist Hospital in South Philadelphia — documented at least 300 cases in patients largely from their late teens to 40s in the fiscal year ending July 2025, a threefold increase from two years prior.

At North Philadelphia’s Temple University Hospital, staff can often diagnose it from the signature vomiting sound patients make.

-snip-

Much more at the link.

This syndrome is caused by chronic use and much higher levels of THC now. And there's some research showing that "about 30% of chronic cannabis users develop the syndrome."

They're doing much more research on it now.

6 replies

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Why stomach pain, 'scromiting,' and compulsive hot showering are sending cannabis users to Philly-area ERs (Original Post) highplainsdem Saturday OP

It's always something with pot, isn't it? -misanthroptimist Saturday #1

Message auto-removed Name removed Sunday #5

Would you mind linking to the research saying 30% of "chronic cannabis users" develop this problem? AZJonnie Saturday #2

I found it for you, and found the highplainsdem Saturday #3

Like everything in life moderation is the key. nt yaesu Saturday #4

Message auto-removed Name removed Sunday #6

-misanthroptimist

(1,824 posts)

1. It's always something with pot, isn't it?

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Sat May 2, 2026, 05:23 PM

Saturday

Response to -misanthroptimist (Reply #1)

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AZJonnie

(3,942 posts)

2. Would you mind linking to the research saying 30% of "chronic cannabis users" develop this problem?

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Sat May 2, 2026, 05:30 PM

Saturday

Also, good green bud at dispensaries, even the top shelf stuff, it is BARELY distinguishable from good green indica bud like the Alaskan Thunderfuck I was smoking in HS in the 1980's. That nonsense about it being even 2X as strong as top-shelf 80's weed is an exaggeration. It's *maybe* 1/4 stronger that great 80's pot, in terms of EFFECT. Maybe THC level is some % higher, but THC biologically has a ceiling effect as well, that's why it's very difficult and uncommon to OD, and never fatal.

HOWEVER, there's not been a large % of the population smoking/eating/consuming THIS MUCH 100% consistently THC product like weed + gummies + vapes + resins + candy + sodas for days on end, for not THAT much money.

MY bet is this is less "chronic" users in the trad sense, but rather, people BINGEING really hard. Small chance it could be tainted product, the weed industry is somewhat cavalier with their genetic mods.

But I'll be keen to see some real studies for sure. It definitely needs explained!

highplainsdem

(62,834 posts)

3. I found it for you, and found the

Reply to AZJonnie (Reply #2)

Sat May 2, 2026, 05:51 PM

Saturday

exact quote, which did not use the 30% figure. It was higher.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11910202/

Research indicates the prevalence of CHS has risen in tandem with increasing cannabis use, particularly among chronic users. For example, a study in an urban New York City Emergency Department consisting of 2127 patients showed that 32.9% of patients who smoked marijuana 20 days or more per month met the criteria for CHS [6].

And that reference #6 is this 2018 study:

6.The prevalence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome among regular marijuana smokers in an urban public hospital. Habboushe J, Rubin A, Liu H, Hoffman RS. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2018;122:660–662. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.12962. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29327809/

yaesu

(9,425 posts)

4. Like everything in life moderation is the key. nt

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Sat May 2, 2026, 05:52 PM

Saturday

Response to yaesu (Reply #4)

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