A 15-Year-Old's Cannabis 'Scromiting' Got So Bad His Brain Started Shutting Down

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)—a condition linked to frequent cannabis use that causes constant bouts of vomiting—is a nightmare to endure. A report out this week shows how CHS can sometimes also become life-threatening. Doctors at Augusta University in Georgia detailed an especially frightening case of CHS in a 15-year-old boy. The condition likely led him to develop an acute neurological disorder triggered by a severe vitamin deficiency, one that left him barely able to walk, talk, and see. Fortunately, doctors were able to treat the boy in time, and he ultimately made a full recovery. “Individuals who use cannabis should remain mindful of the potential risks associated with its use and vigilant for persistent or recurrent vomiting, which may warrant timely medical attention,” the study authors told Gizmodo in an email. People with CHS will experience cyclical periods of intense cramps, nausea, and vomiting. These episodes are often so excruciating that people will scream out in pain as they’re vomiting, which has led people to nickname the condition “scromiting.” Cannabis ‘Scromiting’ Finally Has Its Own ER Code—and the Numbers Are Higher Than Anyone Realized Scientists