Green Gut Syndrome: When Weed Turns Against You
It begins with unbearable pain.
A teenager stumbles into the ER after hours of relentless vomiting. His stomach feels like it’s twisting in knots. He’s drenched in sweat, panicked, and begging for relief. The only thing that helps—even briefly—is standing under scalding hot water. Doctors run tests, rule out food poisoning, and finally ask the question: “Has he been using marijuana?”
This isn’t a rare case. It’s part of a growing wave of ER visits linked to a condition few have heard of—Green Gut Syndrome, medically known as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). Despite marijuana’s reputation as a natural remedy, chronic use is triggering violent illness in teens and young adults across the country.
What Is Green Gut Syndrome?
Green Gut Syndrome is the street name for Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)—a condition caused by long-term, frequent marijuana use. It leads to cyclic vomiting, debilitating abdominal pain, and compulsive hot showers that offer only temporary relief.
Other Names You Might Hear:
Weed Sickness
Hot Shower Syndrome
Green Gut
Cannabis Vomiting Syndrome
Scromiting (screaming + vomiting)
This isn’t a hangover. It’s a medical emergency.
Why Is This Happening?
Today’s marijuana is not the same as it was 10 years ago. THC levels have skyrocketed, especially in vapes, concentrates, and edibles. The body’s endocannabinoid system—which regulates nausea and digestion—can become overwhelmed and dysregulated by chronic exposure.
Risk Factors:
Daily or near-daily marijuana use
Use starting in adolescence
High-potency THC products
Years of cumulative exposure
Even users who’ve never had a problem before can suddenly develop CHS. It’s unpredictable—and terrifying.
Symptoms That Should Scare You
CHS unfolds in three brutal phases:
1. Prodromal Phase
Morning nausea
Abdominal discomfort
Fear of vomiting
Often mistaken for stress or flu
2. Hyperemetic Phase
Violent, repeated vomiting (up to 5x/hour)
Intense stomach pain
Dehydration and weight loss
Compulsive hot showers (sometimes for hours)
Screaming from pain (“scromiting”)
3. Recovery Phase
Symptoms ease only after quitting marijuana
Can take days to weeks
Relapse is common if use resumes
Long-Term Damage
CHS isn’t just miserable—it’s dangerous.
Potential Complications:
Esophageal tears from forceful vomiting
Kidney failure from dehydration
Electrolyte imbalances leading to seizures or heart issues
Tooth decay and malnutrition
Burns from scalding showers
Brain swelling in rare cases
And the worst part? Many teens don’t know this exists. They think they’re just sick. They keep using. And they keep ending up in the ER.
What Can Be Done?
Immediate Action:
Go to the ER if vomiting is severe
Get IV fluids and anti-nausea meds
Be honest about marijuana use—misdiagnosis is common
Long-Term Solution:
Stop using marijuana completely
Seek support for dependency or addiction
Educate others—especially teens and parents
There is no cure except quitting. Hot showers help for a moment, but they don’t stop the cycle. And every relapse brings the risk of permanent damage.
Why This Matters
With marijuana legalization expanding and THC potency rising, CHS is no longer rare. Some hospitals report dozens of cases per month, mostly in young adults.
This isn’t about politics. It’s about protecting kids from a silent epidemic. If you’re a parent, educator, or prevention advocate, you need to know this. You need to talk about it. You need to act.
What You Can Do Right Now
Share this article with your community
Talk to teens using marijuana—especially daily users
Partner with prevention programs
Push for education in schools and ERs
Help someone quit before it’s too late
Green Gut Syndrome is real. It’s painful. It’s preventable. Let’s make sure every young person knows the risks—before they end up on a bathroom floor, screaming and sick, wondering what went wrong.
For more information, help, and resources, please visit www.steeredstraight.org or call (856) 691-6676
Our mission is to steer youth straight toward making sound, rational decisions through a learning experience that provides a message of reality to help them make positive, informed choices.
