Common questions about THC poisoning, Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), and how to get help.
Call 911 immediately if you're experiencing severe vomiting, dehydration, hallucinations, or severe paranoia.
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Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a serious condition that affects long-term, regular cannabis users. It causes recurrent episodes of severe nausea, uncontrollable vomiting, and abdominal pain.
CHS develops after months or years of regular cannabis use. The condition causes your body's nausea regulation system to malfunction, leading to severe vomiting episodes that can require emergency medical care.
CHS is caused by chronic, heavy cannabis use—typically daily or near-daily use for months or years. The exact mechanism isn't fully understood, but prolonged exposure to cannabinoids disrupts the body's normal regulation of nausea and vomiting.
Any form of THC can cause CHS, including regular cannabis, THC-A (which converts to THC when heated), delta-8, delta-10, and even full-spectrum CBD products that contain THC.
While CHS itself is not directly fatal, complications from severe, prolonged vomiting can be life-threatening. These include severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, kidney damage, and in rare cases, cardiac arrest.
Deaths from CHS complications are rare but documented in medical literature. The cause of death is typically severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances from persistent vomiting, not the cannabis itself.
Hot showers temporarily relieve CHS symptoms by activating TRPV1 receptors in your body, which override or dampen nausea signals. The relief is immediate but short-lived—symptoms typically return as soon as you cool down.
Many people with CHS take multiple hot showers per day during episodes, sometimes spending hours in the water. This compulsive hot bathing behavior is actually a diagnostic clue for CHS.
However, hot showers are NOT a cure—they're a symptom management tool. The only proven treatment is stopping cannabis use completely.
Learn more about why hot showers and capsaicin relieve CHS symptoms
CHS has three phases:
One of the most distinctive features is that hot showers or baths provide temporary relief from symptoms.
There's no single blood test or scan for CHS. Doctors diagnose it based on:
CHS is often misdiagnosed as cyclic vomiting syndrome, gastroenteritis, or other conditions. Being honest with your doctor about cannabis use is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Yes. THC-A, delta-8, delta-10, HHC, and full-spectrum CBD products can all cause CHS. Legal status does not make these products safer.
THC-A converts to THC when heated (smoking, vaping, cooking), so it has the same CHS risk. Full-spectrum CBD contains THC that can accumulate over time with regular use.
"Scromiting" is a slang term combining "screaming" and "vomiting" that describes the most severe CHS episodes. During these episodes, the pain and nausea are so intense that people simultaneously scream in agony and vomit uncontrollably.
This represents the most severe end of the CHS symptom spectrum and requires immediate medical attention. Scromiting episodes can last for hours or days and often require emergency room visits for dehydration.
The only proven long-term treatment for CHS is complete cessation of all cannabis products. This includes regular cannabis, THC-A, CBD (especially full-spectrum), delta-8, delta-10, and any other cannabinoid products.
During acute episodes, emergency rooms can provide IV fluids for dehydration, anti-nausea medications (though these often have limited effectiveness), and supportive care. Hot showers can provide temporary relief, but they're not a cure.
Symptoms typically begin improving within days of stopping cannabis use, with full recovery taking weeks to months.
Yes. If you resume cannabis use after recovering from CHS, symptoms will almost certainly return. CHS is not a one-time condition—it's a response to chronic cannabinoid use that will recur if you continue using.
Some people need support (counseling, therapy, support groups) to successfully stop using cannabis, especially if they've been using it regularly for a long time or have developed dependence.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
Dehydration from persistent vomiting can be life-threatening. Don't wait to seek help.
No. CBD products, especially full-spectrum CBD that contains THC, can actually contribute to CHS development. Regular use of full-spectrum CBD can lead to THC accumulation in your system, potentially causing or worsening CHS symptoms.
Even pure CBD isolate products are not recommended for CHS treatment. The only proven treatment is stopping all cannabinoid products completely.
Heavy THC use, especially when started before age 18, can trigger psychotic episodes including hallucinations, delusions, severe paranoia, and disorganized thinking. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Children are at extreme risk from accidental THC ingestion. Even small amounts can cause severe symptoms including hallucinations, extreme agitation, lethargy, and respiratory depression requiring hospitalization.
Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) affects approximately 3 in 10 cannabis users, with adolescents facing even higher risk. It's characterized by inability to stop using cannabis despite negative consequences, tolerance development, and withdrawal symptoms.
CUD is linked to increased risks of developing depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. Treatment rates have declined in recent years, making it harder for people to get help.
Yes. High-potency THC products can trigger extreme anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and paranoid thoughts even in people without prior anxiety disorders. This is particularly common with edibles, which can take hours to take effect and are easy to overconsume.
The risk is higher for people with pre-existing anxiety disorders or a family history of mental health conditions. THC overconsumption can overstimulate the amygdala (the brain region that processes fear), leading to severe psychological reactions.
Quitting cannabis after regular use often leads to withdrawal symptoms including irritability, mood swings, insomnia, sleep disturbances, anxiety, restlessness, intense cravings for cannabis, and loss of appetite.
These withdrawal symptoms are well-documented in medical literature and can make it difficult to stop using cannabis, even when it's causing serious health problems like CHS.