Everyone experiences nausea from time to time and it’s no fun. Whether it’s from food poisoning, morning sickness, the flu, or chemotherapy, we can all agree that nausea is one of the most uncomfortable feelings when it comes on. If you suffer from severe nausea, it is even worse. While reaching for peppermint or ginger can be helpful for mild cases, it does little to help those who suffer from severe nausea. Chronic nausea can be caused by a variety of gut disorders or as a result of cancer treatment. Might cannabis for nausea help?
Why Does Nausea Happen?
There are hundreds of things that can cause a person to feel queasy, from illness and poisoning to prescriptions and abdominal issues. The thing about nausea is that its actually a symptom, rather than an illness itself. It’s a sign that something is going on and the body is trying to remove toxins and invaders from the system.
Unfortunately, some people experience chronic nausea and vomiting due to chronic medical conditions — with no relief in sight. If you experience persistent nausea and aren’t sure why, it’s important that you consult your doctor to treat the underlying problem. With their diagnosis, and after exploring treatment options, you may find that cannabis for nausea may be helpful
How Does Cannabis Bring Relief?
It is believed that cannabis works with the central nervous system to bring relief. Unlike localized pain, nausea is an overall sensation that’s created by the nervous system and the endocannabinoid system. This means that cannabis can interact with the cannabinoid receptors to disrupt the nausea signal. Remember that cannabis won’t fix what’s causing the signal in the first place, but it is very effective at blocking the nausea sensation it creates.
Do I Have to Get High to Use Cannabis for Nausea?
The good news is you can use cannabis to fight nausea even if you don’t want to get high. It turns out that the non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBD can work to ease nausea and vomiting without the intoxication associated with THC. A 2012 study found that CBD produced powerful anti-emetic effects due to its interaction with the body’s autoreceptors. CBD is also good at helping patients manage anxiety, which can be helpful in dealing with chronic nausea.
If you are up for a more intoxicating effect, THC also works well as an anti-nausea cannabinoid. It acts by binding to the CB1 receptors in the brain to significantly reduce vomiting. THC can also help promote a positive state of mind for people enduring difficult-to-treat health issues or treatments like chemotherapy.
Cannabis is already accepted by many physicians as a treatment for nausea caused by chemotherapy or radiation and is quickly becoming recognized as a treatment for other causes of queasiness. Although we are still working to understand all the mechanisms of action, cannabis is a well-tolerated and effective treatment.
If you are suffering from severe nausea and need help finding a suitable strain or cannabis consumption method, Remedy can help! Schedule an appointment today.