Nausea is an uncomfortable and often debilitating symptom that can be caused by various health conditions such as motion sickness, chemotherapy, pregnancy (morning sickness), or even anxiety.
For years, remedies like ginger, anti-nausea medications, and acupressure bands have been used to alleviate nausea with varying success. But, recently, cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant, has gained attention for its potential to treat nausea.
This blog post explores whether CBD can help with nausea, the science behind it, how it compares to traditional treatments, and what you should know before trying it.
What is Nausea?
Nausea is a protective, albeit rather unpleasant, mechanism that helps the body expel toxins or harmful substances.
It can be triggered by a wide range of stimuli, including indigestion, food poisoning, infections, pregnancy, motion sickness, chemotherapy and anxiety or stress, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to debilitating illness.
Unfortunately, treating nausea can be a challenge, particularly when traditional medications don’t work or cause undesirable side effects.
For this reason, many people have started to wonder, ‘Does CBD help with nausea?’.
What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of over 100 compounds called cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound responsible for the ‘high’ associated with marijuana, CBD is non-psychoactive. This makes it an appealing option for those seeking relief from symptoms without altering their mental state.
CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network of receptors and enzymes that helps regulate various physiological processes, including mood, appetite, pain, and nausea.
By modulating these processes, CBD may offer therapeutic benefits for conditions like anxiety, chronic pain, epilepsy, and, as studies suggest, nausea.
How CBD Interacts with the Body’s Nausea Control System
Nausea is regulated by a part of the brain called the medulla oblongata, which is influenced by both the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal system.
One of the key neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of nausea is serotonin (5-HT). So, if your levels of it are increased, it can lead to nausea and vomiting.
As CBD interacts with serotonin receptors (particularly the 5-HT1A receptor) within the brain, research suggests that by stimulating these receptors, it can reduce nausea and vomiting – especially in response to chemotherapy and other toxic treatments.
Additionally, it is believed that CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) might even help to stabilise the body’s natural response to the stimuli that cause nausea.
Scientific Research on CBD and Nausea
Overall, research on CBD and its effects on nausea is still in the early stages, but some studies have suggested it has potential benefits.
Several human trials have shown that a combination of CBD and THC (often referred to as medical cannabis) is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
In fact, one study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology even showed that cannabinoids, including CBD, can help reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Another conducted on rats found that CBD was effective in reducing nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy due to the CBD’s effects on the 5-HT1A receptor.
Is CBD Better Than Traditional Anti-Nausea Medications?
Traditional anti-nausea medications, known as antiemetics, are often prescribed to help those suffering from nausea. These include drugs like ondansetron (Zofran) and metoclopramide (Reglan).
However, while these medications can be effective, they can also have adverse side effects, such as drowsiness, constipation or diarrhoea, headaches or dizziness. Subsequently, some researchers within the medical community are focusing on the potential CBD might offer to counter nausea.
One of the biggest perceived advantages of using CBD to treat this condition is that it generally has fewer side effects than conventional antiemetics. Some studies suggest that CBD is well-tolerated by most people, with some only experiencing mild side effects like dry mouth or fatigue.
Encouragingly, unlike other pharmaceutical options, CBD does not cause the sedation or dependency that can sometimes accompany traditional treatments.
Forms of CBD for Nausea Relief
There are several ways to use CBD, each with its own advantages and onset times. The right method for you will depend on your preferences and how quickly you need relief, which is why you should contact your doctor for proper medical advice.
That said, CBD oil can be taken sublingually (under the tongue) for relatively fast absorption. As its effects are typically felt within 15-30 minutes, it has become a favoured choice for nausea relief.
If you prefer a more convenient and discreet option, CBD capsules or gummies might be ideal. However, because they need to be digested, the effects can take longer to kick in.
For those who want instant relief, vaping offers a very fast onset of effects, although this method is not suitable for everyone, and some may prefer non-inhalation methods.
Another option to consider is Transdermal CBD patches, which provide a slow and steady release of CBD into the bloodstream. They can be very useful for those who require the administering of long-lasting relief.
How to Use CBD for Nausea
If you’re considering trying CBD to relieve nausea, it’s important to start slowly and find the right dosage. That is because there is no one-size-fits-all dosage, as everyone responds to it differently depending on factors such as their body weight, metabolism, and the severity of their symptoms.
The best thing to do is begin with a small dose (e.g., 5-10 mg of CBD) and gradually increase until you find the right amount that works for you. But make sure you take the advice of a qualified healthcare professional first.
Is CBD Safe for Nausea?
Generally, CBD is considered safe, with the only real side effects being dry mouth, fatigue, diarrhoea and changes in appetite. In fact, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has even gone so far as to report that CBD has a good safety profile and is well-tolerated in humans.
That said, there are a few potential risks to keep in mind, which mainly relate to the way CBD can interact with certain medications you might be taking. Particularly those that are metabolised by the liver’s enzyme system (CYP450).
Subsequently, if you are taking medications like blood thinners, heart medications, or anti-nausea drugs, you should consult your doctor before trying CBD.
It is also worth noting that not all CBD products are created equally. So, to ensure your safety and its effectiveness, you must only ever buy from reputable companies that provide third-party lab testing results for purity and potency.
CBD and Pregnancy-Related Nausea
According to the National Institute of Health, upwards of 80% of pregnant women suffer from nausea or ‘morning sickness’, particularly in their first trimester.
It is only natural to ask, ‘Does CBD help with nausea?’ to alleviate their symptoms. Well, although it might seem like an appealing option for relief, it might be wise to err on the side of caution.
At present, there is very limited research about how safe it is to take CBD during pregnancy, and many health professionals advise against it purely because the medical community does not know for certain what its effects on fetal development might be.
For this reason, if you are pregnant and are looking for relief from nausea, don’t take any CBD product without first consulting with your healthcare provider.
Conclusion
Some studies have proven that CBD can reduce the effects of nausea in both humans and animals due to the way it interacts with the ECS within our bodies to reduce the onset of vomiting and nausea.
Although more qualitative research will need to be completed to fully appreciate its effectiveness as a treatment option for nausea, there is increasing support amongst the medical community for CBD to be recognised as a viable option.
If you are interested in taking a CBD product to counter your nausea relief, it is worth seeking specialist medical advice, especially if you suffer from an existing medical condition or are currently taking other medications.
They will help you determine the best product, its potency and the dosage, to provide you with relief for your uncomfortable symptoms.
FAQs
Are you wondering, ‘Does CBD help with nausea?’. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the subject.
How effective is CBD for nausea?
CBD oil is widely used for nausea relief due to it being fast-acting and that it is easily absorbed into the bloodstream.
Additionally, gummies and capsules may also provide relief, although it might take longer for them to kick in, while topical creams may be effective in staving off localised nausea, such as the type that is common with migraines.
How many hours does the CBD effect last?
Generally, the effects of CBD last for between 2-6 hours, although this does depend on several factors, including how your body reacts to it, your dosage and how you use it.
