Marijuana for nausea
We all know how it feels to have that stomach-turning sensation that nearly always leads to vomiting, but did you know that marijuana might be able to help? Here you will find everything that there is to know about medical marijuana and nausea, including dosing, methods of ingestion, and the best strains that can help you to get rid of this often debilitating feeling.
What is nausea?
Nausea is an often uncomfortable sensation that is experienced by most people at some point in their lives, but there are a few specific common symptoms that are used to achieve a diagnosis.
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Confusion
- Lethargy
- Rapid pulse
- Sweating
The downside of pharmaceutical nausea medicine
There are hundreds of different nausea medicine options on the market today, but not a single one comes without a list of harmful side effects, especially after long term use. Though they may be an excellent solution for short-lived bouts of nausea, long term consumers are left with few options that won’t harm other aspects of their overall health.
How does cannabis help with nausea?
Though most people are aware of this helpful side effects of marijuana, few understand how or why it can reduce the symptoms associated with it. The sensation that we call nausea begins in the brain, where the active element THC is able to intervene by binding to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system and reducing the brain's reaction to nausea-inducing stimuli.
Using marijuana for nausea-inducing conditions
Sometimes a sick feeling comes out of nowhere with no apparent cause or reason, but in other cases like in patients with recurrent conditions, cannabis can often be ingested regularly to avoid or reduce potential flare-ups:
- CINV (Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting)
- Morning sickness
- Migraines
- Gastroenteritis
- Influenza
- IBS
Methods of ingestion
Many interested consumers don’t consider using marijuana as a nausea medicine, because the most commonly used method of ingestion is smoking, which comes paired with unhealthy side effects. However, thanks to legalization and years of stoner ingenuity from the black market, there are now hundreds of different kinds of cannabis products to choose from, as well as new and exciting ways to use them. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking and vaping are actually the most recommended methods of ingestion as they both provide an immediate sense of relief.
Below, you will find some of the most frequently used products and methods of ingestion utilized by both recreational and medicinal users:
- Dry bud flowers
- Concentrates (wax, oil, crumble, shatter, kief)
- Vape juice
- Infused edibles and beverages
The best ways to take marijuana for nausea
1. Ingestion
Ingesting means to eat or drink a cannabis-infused product. These options tend to have amplified effects that take longer to kick in, but they can also provide extended periods of relief that can last for up to 12 hours.
2. Inhalation
Inhaling takes place with dabbing, vaping and smoking, all of which inject a cloud of cannabinoids directly into the user's lungs to be absorbed. This method of ingestion produces effects immediately, but they do not last nearly as long, with an average of between 2-4 hours.
3. Topical
If you look carefully at cannabis-infused topical products, you might notice that the concentrations far exceed any other options on the market, but that is because our skin barrier does not fully absorb the elements through sheer topical contact. What this means is that while you can still get some of the benefits from the cannabinoids, there will never be any type of psychoactive effect. These options are useful for direct treatment of affected areas, but they tend to last less time than any other marijuana products, which is the reason why it is often considered to be the least efficient treatment for most symptoms.
Dosing with marijuana for nausea
Cannabis dosing is not an exact science and learning how to dose with cannabinoids is a trial and error experience. One person may achieve relief from smoking a joint, while another might benefit most from edibles with ten times the concentration of either THC or CBD. Hence the reason, it is always recommended to start with the lowest dose possible. The main thing to keep in mind when using marijuana for nausea is the frequency at which doses are taken.
1. Smoking
As needed and on a regular basis.
2. Eating
No more than one serving every 12 hours (up to twice per day)
3. Topical
Apply as often and as much as desired.
It is important to remember that a starting dose of only 5mg is recommended, but despite that, many patients will need more to achieve their desired results.
Why does some marijuana cause nausea?
Unfortunately, not everyone has a success story to tell after trying marijuana to control nausea symptoms. Sometimes the intense sensations caused by the psychoactive element called THC can make the user feel woozy and panicked, which can lead to a bout of sickness, but those effects are short-lived. The most severe cause of vomiting induced by cannabis consumption is from a condition that is called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, but it is generally only found in long term consumers.
The best strains of marijuana for nausea
During the course of your treatment, you might find a cannabis strain that isn’t listed here that works, but for those who are seeking options to choose from with no experience, we have compiled a list of some of the most effective ones for nausea, headaches and appetite.
- Acid
- Irish Cream
- Rob Ford Kush
- Ancient OG
- Killer Grape
- Blucifer
- Strawberry Cheesecake
- Fallen Angel
- Blue Kiss
- Hindu kush
Tips for how to get rid of nausea without medication
Nausea medicine isn’t a viable option for everyone, especially when the symptom appears unexpectedly. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks that you can use to reduce the likelihood and severity of nausea symptoms long before they start.
- Take deep breaths
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoid alcohol
- Do high-stress activities before eating
- Drink plenty of water
- Ride in the front seat of moving vehicles whenever possible
- Apply a cool cloth to your forehead
- Get plenty of rest in a cool dark space
- Regular exercise
