Can CBD be used to relieve nausea?

Do you suffer from motion sickness, have you contracted an illness where vomiting is one of the symptoms, or is your medical treatment causing nausea? Why not try using CBD? Cannabinoids can effectively relieve nausea and vomiting.

What causes nausea?

Nausea was originally a defence mechanism used by the body to avoid ingesting harmful substances. These substances may cause a feeling of discomfort in the stomach and often result in vomiting. However, it is not just food poisoning or digestive system diseases that cause nausea. Seasickness or motion sickness, pregnancy, stress, depression, certain medical conditions or treatments (especially cancer) can make you nauseous.

Regulating the digestive system is one of the endocannabinoid system’s key functions. In particular, we know that the structures involved in causing the feeling of nausea and the urge to vomit are the dorsal vagal complex, the amygdala and the striatum, and they are lined with CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are sensitive to cannabinoids.

How does CBD work to combat nausea?

As early as 2012, the British Journal of Pharmacology presented the results of a trial on rats showing that, at low doses, CBD has an anti-nausea and antiemetic effect. A more recent report (2015) also reviewed all studies on the role of cannabinoids in nausea and vomiting. Their mechanisms of action are only partially understood. CBD acts against nausea in 3 different ways.

Cannabis activates serotonin receptors while lowering the body’s production of this chemical. By regulating the circulation of serotonin in the body, cannabinoids thus help to reduce nausea. The second mechanism of action involves CB2 receptors, which are widespread and involved in regulating nausea and vomiting. However, the exact role of CBD in the anti-nausea action of CB2 receptors has not yet been established.

Finally, CBD has a regulatory role on anandamides, a type of endocannabinoid which promotes the antiemetic effects of CB1 receptors. Hemp can extend the life of anandamides. They are broken down by the body less quickly and therefore contribute more effectively to reducing nausea.

How can CBD be used to combat nausea?

Nausea often occurs suddenly and without warning. It is therefore essential to choose a fast-acting form of CBD. Inhaling CBD or vaping CBD e-liquids are ideal for being able to very quickly experience the compounds’ benefits. Consuming CBD oil sublingually is also very effective. A few drops of CBD oil placed under the tongue will take just a few minutes to act on the endocannabinoid system. Those who feel mildly nauseous for long periods of time can also ingest CBD in drinks or in food. The effect will be felt more slowly but will last longer.

Finally, regardless of how you choose to consume CBD, it is best to start with low doses. Cannabinoids are more effective against nausea when taken in small quantities. Too high a dose can even increase the feeling of nausea and vomiting. It’s up to you to find the right dose of CBD to stop suffering from nausea.