CNN (12/2, LaMotte) reports that cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) – also known as “scromiting” on social media “due to the combination of screaming and loud vomiting” – is on the “rise in the United States. Habitual users of cannabis, including teenagers, are showing up in emergency rooms complaining of severe intestinal distress.” A studypublished in July “found emergency room visits for adolescents aged 13 to 21 years across the nation increased more than 10-fold between 2016 and 2023,” while a November study“found the rate of CHS among adults 18 to 35 rose sharply during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 and remained high.” THC and other cannabinoids in the marijuana plant “have been used for pain relief – paradoxically relieving nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, despite the popularity of marijuana as a [pain reliever], study results on its effectiveness have been mixed.” One possible reason to explain why “the same compound relieve and also cause pain” is “the ever increasing potency of THC in today’s marijuana products.”

Related Links:

— “‘Scromiting,’ a bizarre condition linked to chronic marijuana use, is on the rise,”Sandee LaMotte, CNN, December 2, 2025

The Washington Post (12/2, Sima) reports that researchers earlier this year reported “that the shingles vaccine cuts the risk of developing dementia by 20 percent over a seven-year period.” A large follow-up studypublished Tuesday in Cell “found that shingles vaccination may protect against risks at different stages of dementia – including for people already diagnosed.” The research “found that cognitively healthy people who received the vaccine were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, an early symptomatic phase before dementia.” The study suggests that the shingles vaccine “may help people who already have dementia. Those who got the vaccine were almost 30 percent less likely to die of dementia over nine years, suggesting the vaccine may be slowing the progression of the neurodegenerative syndrome.”

Related Links:

— “The Washington Post (requires login and subscription)

HealthDay (12/2, Gotkine) reports a study found that “in early adolescence, smartphone ownership is associated with depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep.” The researchers observed that at age 12 years, “smartphone ownership versus not owning a smartphone was associated with an increased risk for depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep. Associations were seen for younger age of smartphone acquisition with obesity and insufficient sleep. After controlling for baseline mental health and sleep, at age 13 years, among 3,486 youth who did not own a smartphone at age 12 years, those who had acquired a smartphone in the past year had increased odds of reporting clinical-level psychopathology and insufficient sleep when compared with those who had not acquired a smartphone.” The study was published in Pediatrics.

Related Links:

— “Smartphone Ownership Linked To Depression, Obesity, Insufficient Sleep in Early Adolescence, Study Finds,”Elana Gotkine, HealthDay , December 2, 2025

American Journal of Managed Care (11/26, Steinzor) reported a study found that “telehealth has rapidly reshaped outpatient mental health care in the US, with new data showing that nearly 28% of adult mental health outpatients relied exclusively on virtual visits in 2021–2022.” The researchers “analyzed data from the 2021–2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, focusing on 4720 adults aged 18 years or older who reported receiving mental health care.” Among adults surveyed, “27.8% received all telemental health care, 21.5% received hybrid care, and 50.6% received all in-person care.” They observed that “telehealth use was highest among adults aged 18 to 44 years, college graduates, higher-income patients, private insurance holders, and urban residents.” They noted that “psychotherapy users – without medication or with medication – and those with less than moderate distress were also more likely to use telehealth, whereas patients receiving only medication or treated by counselors or social workers.” The study was published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Telemental Health Now Serves 1 in 4 Outpatients,”Pearl Steinzor, American Journal of Managed Care , November 26, 2025

HealthDay (11/26, Edwards) reported a study found that many “people who die by suicide without showing prior warning signs, such as suicidal thoughts or past attempts, may have different underlying risk factors than those who express suicidal behavior.” For the study, researchers analyzed “anonymized genetic data from more than 2,700 people who died by suicide.” They found that “about half of people who die by suicide have no known history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Many also don’t have diagnosed mental health conditions like depression.” The study “also found that this group wasn’t any more likely than the general population to show traits like chronic low mood or neuroticism. Suicide prevention has long focused on identifying and treating depression and related mental health disorders. But this research suggests that approach may not reach everyone who’s at risk.” The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Some Suicide Victims Show No Typical Warning Signs, Study Finds,”I. Edwards, HealthDay, November 26, 2025