CBD for Nausea: A Possible Treatment?

Nausea is a common feeling of stomach unease that is often accompanied by the need to vomit. Several causes can trigger bouts of nausea, including illness, pregnancy, chemotherapy, and a myriad of other causes. With so many causes, more than 50% of adults reported at least one episode of nausea per year.¹

Cannabis has long been a popular remedy for nausea, and access to the plant has grown as legalization allows millions of Americans and others across the world to consume cannabis legally. While THC has often been the focus, using CBD for nausea may provide many with similar benefits without any "high" produced. 

Decades of anecdotal feedback support using weed for nausea. But what do researchers have to say about CBD?

What is Nausea?

Nausea is described as feelings of uneasiness or discomfort in the stomach, often serving as a prelude to the need to vomit. Various factors can be the root cause of a bout of nausea. Common causes of nausea include:

• Anxiety 
• Food Poisoning 
• Gastrointestinal Disorders 
• Medications 
• Migraines 
• Motion Sickness 
• Pregnancy 
• Stress 
• Therapies and Treatments 

Nausea treatments vary and can include pharmaceuticals, natural remedies, and even cannabis. The most common treatment for many is various prescription medications. Acupuncture, hydration, and ginger have also been cited for treating nausea and vomiting symptoms, providing short and long-term relief. 

Cannabis has long been considered a viable option in the treatment and management of nausea. CBD, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid in the plant, has gained momentum for similar effects without any impact on the consumer's cognitive abilities. While the public has used cannabis for nausea relief for ages, the prohibition of cannabis for the past hundred or so years has limited research until recently.

Benefits of Using CBD for Nausea

Research suggests that CBD may help treat nausea, particularly chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting symptoms. CBD and its acid precursor cannabinoid CBDA have both been shown to be promising anti-nausea agents, with the acid precursor being more potent in select studies. 

Additional analysis has suggested that high doses of CBD may worsen nausea, while lower doses are considered more effective. Despite the mixed results from lab studies so far, many consumers self-report that they've experienced relief by using CBD on their nauseous symptoms. 

In addition to dosage, research suggests that the cannabinoid's interaction with the 5-HT1A receptor contributes to CBD's anti-nausea properties.²

CBD and Nausea: Are There Any Risks?

CBD comes with a low-risk profile. Still, some potential drawbacks could occur for consumers using CBD for nausea, particularly those with additional medical conditions or taking other medications.

While the cannabinoid is non-intoxicating, over-consuming CBD may lead to several adverse effects, such as: 

• Sedation 
• Liver Abnormalities 
• Diarrhea 
• Vomiting

Combining CBD with other prescribed medications may produce adverse drug-drug interactions.³  Anyone using pharmaceuticals or supplements for their nausea or other conditions should speak with a physician before integrating CBD into their nausea treatment plans. 

CBD as a Treatment for Nausea

CBD continues to show promise for a number of symptoms and conditions, including its ability to help with nausea. 

While the current research notes that CBD may be effective, particularly in low dosages, that is not always the case. Researchers typically note that its promise is insufficient to replace existing nausea treatments. However, research has pointed out that cannabinoid-based medicines may enhance the efficacy of anti-nausea medications and provide additional symptom relief.² 

As some studies have reported, a combination of THC and CBD may be effective for severe cases of nausea and vomiting often linked to chemotherapy.⁴

Tips for Using CBD for Nausea

CBD is a typically low-risk option for most consumers. Still, with dosage and other critical factors playing a role, consumers should look for a few key factors during their purchasing and consumption experience.

Patients are always recommended to first consult with a medical professional before going forward with CBD or any cannabis treatment. After consulting and deciding whether CBD is an effective option for the consumer, the next step is identifying an ideal dosage.

Finding the ideal dose is best achieved using the "start low, go slow" method. As the name suggests, this method involves consumers starting with a low dose of CBD and gradually increasing with subsequent doses until reaching their ideal outcome.⁵

The usual starting dosage is around one to five milligrams, often called a microdose, to avoid any over-intoxication risks. Some starting doses may vary depending on a person's previous experience with cannabis/CBD and their tolerance levels. 

The consumer should ingest their targeted dosage and take between 15 minutes and 2 hours to see how they feel and if another dose is required. Several factors, notably consumption level, impact this wait time. Remember that smoked and vape products take effect much quicker than edible products. 

For optimal results, consumers using CBD for nausea should avoid mixing the cannabinoid with alcohol, which may exacerbate symptoms. Similarly, do not mix CBD with other drugs unless a medical professional has explained the possible outcomes first and determined it poses low or no risk to any ongoing treatment efforts. 

Additionally, many lab reports and experts urge consumers to only buy products from the regulated market, where they are more thoroughly vetted and tested for product safety and quality.⁶ Doing so will limit any risk of mislabeled or otherwise untrustworthy products. 

Ask a Budtender: Which CBD Products are Best For Nausea?

Nausea patients often require fast-acting relief. As such, CBD products like smoked flower, vapes, nano-emulsified edibles, and sublingual tinctures are typically considered the most effective. 

Nano-emulsified edibles have a rapid onset time ranging from 10 minutes to an hour. Traditional edibles take longer, 30 minutes to 2 hours, before taking effect but may produce prolonged effects once felt.⁵

When buying any cannabis product, it is best to ensure it is made from a licensed, reputable source with positive consumer feedback. Additionally, products should contain a link to a certificate analysis verifying the CBD's contents. Links to these third-party tests can sometimes be found via a QR code on the packaging or by visiting the company's website. If this information is not available, consider buying another CBD product for nausea relief.

References

1. Singh P, Yoon SS, Kuo B. Nausea: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutics. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016;9(1):98-112. doi:10.1177/1756283X15618131. ↩︎
2. Rock EM, Parker LA. Cannabinoids As Potential Treatment for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2016;7. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2016.00221
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3. Huestis MA, Solimini R, Pichini S, Pacifici R, Carlier J, Busardò FP. Cannabidiol Adverse Effects and Toxicity. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2019;17(10):974-989. doi:10.2174/1570159X17666190603171901 ↩︎
4. P. Grimison, A. Mersiades, Kirby A, et al. Oral THC:CBD cannabis extract for refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase II crossover trial. Annals of oncology. 2020;31(11):1553-1560. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.07.020
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5. MacCallum CA, Russo EB. Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing. European Journal of Internal Medicine. 2018;49(49):12-19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2018.01.004
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6. MacCallum CA, Lo LA, Pistawka CA, Boivin M. A Clinical Framework for Evaluating Cannabis Product Quality and Safety. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2023;8(3):567-574. doi:10.1089/can.2021.0137
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The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.