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Cannabis and motion sickness

Published Aug 2, 2019 12:43 p.m. ET
iStock / anyaberkut

Medical marijuana can be used to treat many conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Due to the spread of legalization of cannabis, researchers have found other medicinal benefits of cannabis. You might be aware that cannabis can treat nausea, but did you know that it can help to treat the symptoms of motion sickness?

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness can take place when you are travelling by any means other than walking, such as plane, boat, or car. This sickness occurs when several senses send contradictory messages to the brain all at once about where you are located. When we walk, we can see where we are going, and so our senses agree, but the opposite takes place when we are in a car or airplane.  Motion sickness may even cause your joyful experience on a plane to be scary.

Symptoms of motion sickness

Some people are more at risk of motion sickness. Children and pregnant women are more at risk than other people. Although motion sickness may generally affect people who travel.  People who are afraid to travel in an airplane may likely experience motion sickness than others. Also, if you have a migraine headache, you may likely get nauseous. Reading in a car could also trigger nauseous symptoms.

There are different types of motion sickness symptoms. These symptoms may arise singly or together. Some of the symptoms are dizziness, headaches, nausea, sweatiness, and breathing difficulties.

The symptoms mentioned before are not life threatening, and so they do not require the assistance of a doctor. The symptoms usually go away after you stop moving. On the other hand, these symptoms if not treated, may lead to long term problems such as phobia to travel.

Types of motion sickness

There are different types of motion sickness. These types are placed into three categories:

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  1. Triggered by motion, you can sense by feeling but not seeing
  2. Triggered by motion, you can sense by seeing but not feeling
  3. Triggered by both seeing and hearing, but they give conflicting messages.

You can either be carsick, airsick, or seasick. This can cause you to restrict your travel plans, but marijuana can assist.

Effects of marijuana on motion sickness

The big question is, how can cannabis help people with motion sickness? There are many effects of marijuana on many conditions, including motion sickness. CBD strains have been used before on chemotherapy patients to relieve them from nausea. There isn’t much comprehensive research on the effects of marijuana on motion sickness. However, there are few convincing studies conducted on the effects of marijuana. For example, a study conducted in Germany showed that participants with low endocannabinoid levels in their blood stream had heightened symptoms of motion sickness. It is believed that THC and CBD stimulate the endocannabinoid receptors that help to reduce the release of the chemicals that causes nausea. This helps to prevent the sensations of motion sickness. Medical marijuana is better than other drugs for motion sickness on the market.

Strains for motion sickness

Both sativa and indicastrains can be used to treat motion sickness. Sativa strain like Sour Dieselcan help to relieve nausea and migraine headache, while Indica dominant strain like Blue Dream helps to ease pain and nausea. Whether you prefer to use sativa or indica strains, both are quite reliable and effective.

Consumption of marijuana

Furthermore, the best way to consume marijuana for motion sickness is by eating marijuana edibles. Marijuana edibles, such as gummies or cookies, can be quite delicious and unnoticeable. If you are travelling on public transportation, it is unwise to smoke marijuana to prevent motion sickness.

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