When you’re nauseous, you can’t really think about anything else but the sweet, sweet relief that will come once that queasiness settles. We believe that CBD (cannabidiol) can help with nausea. And many seem to think so, and it’s been used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine for this very reason [1].
There’s research examining the relationship between CBD and chemotherapy-induced nausea, finding a positive relationship between consuming CBD and reducing reported nausea after consumption. In fact, 83% of participants preferred cannabis to the placebo [2]. This positive correlation allows us to explore the possibilities of CBD for nausea outside of its use with chemotherapy.
In particular, we had one customer going through chemo, who stated this:
"I’m 1/3 of the way through Chemo with severe side impacts. The CBD/CBG oil and gummies from Neurogan are my only relief without nasty side effects of their own. My naturopathic oncologist recommended these for bone pain, TMJ and nausea."
Can CBD Help Nauseous Feelings?
CBD may help alleviate nausea and vomiting by stimulating serotonin release in the brain. No CBD product is approved by the FDA today, but its worth noting that some people have had positive reactions for this usage.
The product that works best for all types of Nausea is CBD Oil. Notable, one customer started using CBD specifically for that use: "I am using CBD for nausea and fatigue, which is what I wanted it to work and the reason why I use it everyday."
Studies also demonstrate a positive relationship between consuming cannabis-derived products and reducing nausea [3].
Nausea relief can be a desirable effect for many people who experience nausea due to pain, food intolerances, anxiousness, motion sickness, infections, and medications. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in psychological functions, which include nausea and vomiting.
This endocannabinoid system interaction, coupled with the calming effects of CBD due to their targeting of serotonin receptors, may provide some relief.
CBD dosage and CBD ratio play an important factor when it comes to avoiding side effects. Think of CBD like a nice chocolate cake. One slice is great! Two slices may even be a rewarding treat. Once you start to overeat, your body may not like it so much.
CBD Dosage for Nausea
We recommended starting low and gradually increasing, especially if you are new to CBD. When we say low, most people start around 5-10 mg of CBD. Because nausea and vomiting are sensitive conditions and potentially worsened by the things you consume, approach your dosing carefully.
High dosages of CBD may cause nausea, but this can depend on individual sensitivity.
If you’re not new to CBD, then you may be aware that 5-10 mg is on the low end and may not be strong enough for you. Many of the products we recommend today offer 20-30 mg of CBD per serving, which is a moderate dose and more fitting for experienced CBD users.
Although it would be nice if there were a once-size-fits-all dose, unfortunately, there isn’t. Determining the right dose depends on factors like your body weight, metabolism, the severity of nausea, and the concentration of the CBD product.
CBD Ratio for Nausea
If you live in a state where medical or recreational marijuana is legal, then you might benefit from a balanced ratio of 1:1 of CBD to THC to be more effective for severe nausea.
The THC dose has psychoactive effects, which might also help distract you from the discomfort of nausea. However, many CBD products with balanced CBD and THC ratios are not accessible to everyone due to their legal status in many states.
A lot of current studies that examine CBD’s effectiveness in reducing nausea include a combination of CBD and THC [3]. This ratio is important because too much CBD or too much THC may worsen nauseous symptoms rather than help them.
Because THC and CBD interact, we recommend CBD products that contain both. This allows you to experience the entourage effect, which enhances the effects you can experience from each cannabinoid.
If you don’t live in a legal state, you can still benefit from a CBD product with a higher CBD to THC ratio as long as the THC content is less than 0.3% of the total concentration. This can also be an ideal ratio for someone who is feeling nauseous during the daytime when they need to be more clearheaded.
Best Type of CBD for Nausea
Full spectrum CBD formulas are often considered the best choice for managing nausea due to the entourage effect. This synergistic interaction between CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids can enhance the overall therapeutic benefits.
When it comes to product type, CBD oils are generally the preferred option for nausea relief. They offer faster onset times compared to other forms, with effects potentially felt within 15-30 minutes of sublingual administration. High-potency CBD oils, such as those containing 12,000mg of CBD.
CBD oils are also less likely to cause unwanted side effects compared to other product types.
Best CBD Products for Nausea
Neurogan CBD Tincture
Full spectrum CBD formulas can be great to consider when your body could benefit from calming effects. Many studies on CBD’s effect on nausea include THC, so most of our research promotes the combination of CBD and THC[3]. That’s why our CBD oil tincture uses full spectrum CBD extract, so you and your nausea can experience the entourage effect.
If you are suffering from severe nausea, you may be seeking quick relief. Since not all CBD products have the same onset time, it’s important to choose one with a quicker onset time, like a tincture. A few drops of our highly potent CBD oil, and you can anticipate feeling the effects of up to 200 mg of CBD as soon as fifteen minutes.
Alchemy Naturals Broad Spectrum CBD Gummies
CBD gummies can be a good option for acute and anticipatory nausea.
For example, if I know that I’m going to be riding in a car for a long time, then I can try to prevent motion sickness ahead of time. Since it may take an hour for you to feel its effects, it won't be the best option if you are trying to reduce nausea quickly.
Alchemy Naturals broad spectrum CBD gummies are great for exactly that. Also, it’s important to us that we provide a recommendation that doesn’t include THC since not everyone wants to consume it.
Neurogan CBD Gummies
Our CBD gummy squares offer high potency with the option to order our bottle with 120 mg of CBD per square. We also have a variation with 45 mg per square. The great thing about gummies is that you can always eat half of a gummy if you want to reduce the dosage.
But with our full spectrum blend, you can really enhance your CBD experience with the robust effects that come with stronger doses of CBD, which you may want when feeling severe nausea. Plus, full spectrum CBD offers other potential benefits too for discomfort, which may indirectly help with nausea if pain is causing your nausea.
CBD's Benefits for Nausea
The cannabis plant has been used to support health in many cultures for a long time.
While we’re now starting to evaluate its role in modern healthcare, many people who like to approach their health with a holistic approach may be able to benefit from the benefits CBD products have to offer.
Remember that nausea and vomiting can be a sign of something more serious going on, so it’s important to monitor your symptoms and discuss your condition with a healthcare professional. Toxin-induced nausea should especially be observed closely.
We want to be clear that the FDA hasn’t approved using CBD as a primary treatment for nausea and vomiting. However, scientific evidence and personal testimonies have demonstrated positive feedback on CBD for nausea.
References:- Crocq, M. A. (2020). History of cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 22(3), 223-228.
- Grimison, P., Mersiades, A., Kirby, A., Lintzeris, N., Morton, R., Haber, P., ... & Stockler, M. (2020). Oral THC: CBD cannabis extract for refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase II crossover trial. Annals of Oncology, 31(11), 1553-1560.
- Stith, S. S., Li, X., Orozco, J., Lopez, V., Brockelman, F., Keeling, K., ... & Vigil, J. M. (2022). The effectiveness of common cannabis products for treatment of nausea. Journal of clinical gastroenterology, 56(4), 331-338.
- Parker, L. A., Rock, E. M., & Limebeer, C. L. (2011). Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids. British journal of pharmacology, 163(7), 1411-1422.
- Tayarani-Najaran, Z., Talasaz-Firoozi, E., Nasiri, R., Jalali, N., & Hassanzadeh, M. (2013). Antiemetic activity of volatile oil from Mentha spicata and Mentha × piperita in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Ecancermedicalscience, 7, 290. https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2013.290