Does CBD help with nausea? The endocannabinoid system has a major effect on mediating nausea. CBD, THC and many of the other endocannabinoids present in cannabis have proven extremely valuable in regulating nausea.
Regardless of whether nausea is arising as a response to toxin exposure, chemotherapy treatment, anxiety, or digestive distress, the administration of CBD will improve the quality of life of all patients.
Here we’ll be explaining why CBD helps with nausea while discussing the various scenarios where use is common so that you know how CBD can help you.
How CBD Suppresses Nausea
Acute nausea is helped by CBDs is a number of ways. Firstly, the stimulation of the 5-HT receptor suppresses the emetic response. Without the trigger of retching, vomiting does not typically follow. The triggering of 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A by CBD also reduces the sensation of nausea itself.
Furthermore, CBD modulates the flow of serotonin which then lessens stimulation responsible for vomiting in the brain. This reaction is far more powerful at overcoming nausea than almost all anti-emetic medicines in production and there are no negative side effects.
Highly Effective for Chemo-Induced Nausea
Chemotherapy-induced nausea is so distressing to most that 20% of all patients cease treatment as a direct result. The worst part about nausea which follows chemotherapy for most patients is how it is ongoing. There is no break from nausea.
However, the administration of CBD and cannabidiolic acid is proven to ease nausea arising from chemotherapy. Both cannabidiol and its synthetic CBD-dimenthylheptyl homologue disrupt nausea arising from lithium chloride exposure.
The endocannabinoid system suppresses all forms of nausea by means of a range of functions but the most prominent effect is the way it works upon the interoceptive insular cortex, governing the sensation of nausea. Here, 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A is stimulated which is a direct antagonist for the response of nausea in the body. The anti-emetic and anti-nausea effects of CBD treatments are invaluable to cancer suffers.
CBD Reduces Anticipatory Nausea
Not only does CBD help suppress unnecessary nausea and vomiting resultant from chemotherapy but it also plays a vital psychological role in reducing anticipatory nausea. The majority of cancer patients find themselves becoming extremely anxious as their chemo grows closer.
This anxiety manifests as extreme nausea which can result in vomiting to such an extent that many patients end up skipping their session. If post-treatment nausea is not addressed and controlled then anticipatory nausea can develop which impairs the therapeutic value of the treatment and the quality of life of the patient.
Morning Sickness and CBD
CBD for hyperemesis gravidarum, or morning sickness, is a highly effective treatment yet a controversial topic. While further research is needed, it is clear that using CBD-based products are safer than directly smoking cannabis.
While this is still a debated area of research, the safest way for a woman to reduce nausea during pregnancy is by applying a topical CBD such as a tincture, salve or rub. The negative implications of marijuana treatments are typically associated with THC, responsible for the psychoactive effect.
Yet, medical marijuana as both CBD-only products and those containing a blend of CBD and THC, have both proved highly beneficial in suppressing severe morning sickness. The relief obtained is reported to be far greater than any over-the-counter anti-nausea solutions.
Many pregnant women find themselves holding out on meals rather than ingesting the vital nutrients needed to support the growth of their child simply due to severe nausea which accompanies eating. There is nothing of the sort when supplementing with CBD as it not only quells nausea but promotes a healthy appetite.
CBD Does Not Suppress Needed Nausea
There are certain cases where nausea is a natural and needed response to an underlying problem. Research shows that even though CBD helps suppress nausea when it is unnecessary, nausea arising from the following conditions remains unaffected:
- CNS malignancy
- Gastrointestinal obstructions
- Nausea and vomiting relating to diseases
- Oral cytotoxic chemotherapy
- The first week of radiotherapy
Versatile Treatment for All Types of Nausea
Cannabis has been in use for the treatment of nausea for well over twenty years. THC and synthetic THC also have a prominent effect in modulating nausea. The FDA has even approved synthetic THC in the form of drugs such as Dronabinol and Nabilone, showing just how well THC helps to quell nausea. Both CBD and THC are highly effective at reducing nausea and display striking efficacy when used in the right balance.
Nonetheless, on their own, CBD-only treatments are fantastic. Just over half of all cancer patients administered CBD report no nausea and no vomiting after treatment. CBD-based oils and products are wonderful solutions to all types of nausea.
Once you find the right dosage you’ll have a lasting solution to chronic nausea and an acute-treatment which you can rely on. Reliable relief is waiting within a fixed time period after administration and the long-term benefits are diversely profound.
