Weed for Nausea: What the Latest Research Says

Nausea is an all-too-common stomach uneasiness that often precedes vomiting. It may be caused by a number of factors, ranging from illness to pregnancy to a myriad of other causes. More than 50% of adults reported at least one episode of nausea per year.¹

Nausea is a common symptom that many people use cannabis for. The plant’s popularity has continued to rise over many decades as legalization opens up access to cannabis treatments.

Scores of anecdotal feedback support using weed for nausea. But what does the research say?

What is Nausea?

Nausea is an uneasy or uncomfortable feeling in the stomach that typically is accompanied by the urge to vomit. Nausea is caused by various factors, including but not limited to:

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

Nausea can be treated using various methods depending on the condition's cause. Several prescription medications may be used to relieve nausea symptoms. Natural methods such as acupuncture, hydration, and ginger have also been used to treat nausea and vomiting for short- and long-term relief. 

Cannabis has long been considered another viable option in the treatment and management of nausea. While the public has used it for ages, the prohibition on the plant over the past hundred or so years has limited research until recently.

Benefits of Using Weed for Nausea

Clinical research into cannabis for nausea relief appears to support many of the claims made over the past several decades. 

Researchers have indicated that cannabinoids like THC and CBD appear effective in treating nausea, particularly concerning chemotherapy-induced bouts of nausea and vomiting.² Additionally, synthetic THC medications such as dronabinol and nabilone have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for their ability to ease nausea symptoms in patients.³

A 1:1, THC:CBD cannabis-based medicine approved in the UK and Canada, Sativex, showed a reduction in nausea and vomiting symptoms when combined with a traditional anti-nausea medication.⁴ Other potential cannabinoids for nausea relief that need more research include CBDV and CBDA, two non-intoxicating cannabinoids.^5,6

Weed for Nausea: Are There Any Risks?

Decades of anecdotes and select lab studies suggest that using medical cannabis for nausea, notably THC, is often effective while posing a little to no risk profile for most consumers. However, consuming cannabis does come with its risks that consumers should be aware of. 

The plant is predominantly beneficial, but side effects do exist, especially with an intoxicating compound like THC. In one study examining the effects of a THC:CBD oral extract, up to one-third of cannabis consumers experienced moderate to severe sedation, dizziness, and disorientation.⁷ 

Anxiety and stress levels may also be increased as adverse side effects can include increased panic, fear, or depression levels in some concerns. Additionally, prolonged vomiting and intense abdominal pain syndrome linked to chronic cannabis use, known as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, has been reported for several years and continues to be researched.

Anyone using pharmaceuticals or supplements should consult with a medical professional before deciding to add THC or any other cannabis-based products for nausea relief.

Weed as a Treatment for Nausea

Clinical analysis suggests that using medical cannabis for nausea relief can be an effective treatment method. Using cannabinoids like THC and CBD may help with several nausea-causing conditions and treatments, specifically chemotherapy-induced bouts of nausea and vomiting.^2,5 

The plant has undoubtedly shown promise in treating and managing nausea symptoms and side effects. For further insight into cannabis and nausea, consider speaking to a physician.

Tips for Using Weed for Nausea

Cannabis tends to present a low-risk profile for most recreational and medical consumers. Still, there are some best practices to keep in mind. 

While it is possible to get an idea of how cannabis will likely affect someone, the outcome can vary by the individual and the product or strain they're consuming.

With such variability, patients should consult with a medical professional before using cannabis as a nausea treatment option. This urging is especially geared toward anyone using any medications or supplements that could be affected by cannabis. 

After consulting with a professional, the next step is exploring the optimal dosage. Doing so slowly and at an incremental rate will help avoid any side effects of THC over-intoxication, which include side effects like nausea.

The most effective method to assess an individual's ideal dosage without running the risk of over-consumption is the "start low, go slow" method. Start with a low dose of cannabis, wait some time, and then assess if more is needed for the desired outcome to be felt.⁸ 

A low dosage, often called a microdose, is typically around one to five milligrams, with the dose varying based on the individual's tolerance level. After consuming a dose, individuals should wait between 15 minutes and 2 hours to decide if more is required. Wait times should be determined based on the consumption method, with smoking having a much quicker onset (15 to 30 minutes) than an edible. 

Additionally, avoiding substance mixing is always recommended, as mixing cannabis with alcohol or other drugs may increase nausea and vomiting symptoms. Additionally, many lab reports and experts urge consumers to only buy products from the regulated market, where products are more thoroughly vetted and tested for product safety and quality.⁹

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

Nausea and its associated symptoms typically require fast-acting relief. As such, consumers have reported that products like flowers, vapes, and concentrates are some of the top choices for quick relief. Patients have also self-reported that high-THC cannabis products provide greater symptom relief than high-CBD products.¹⁰

Consumers should focus on cannabinoid and terpene levels to understand which strain or products may most effectively treat nausea symptoms, as patients have mixed reports on which cannabis cultivars may be best.⁸

Consumers should only buy products made by regulated, licensed producers sold by licensed and reputable retailers, where they can verify the third-party lab results to check the potency and dosage and ensure the products are free of harmful contaminants.

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. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Health and Medicine Division, Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice. Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids In: The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. National Academies Press (US); 2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425748/ ↩︎
3. 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 ↩︎
4. Rock EM, Sticht MA, Limebeer CL, Parker LA. Cannabinoid Regulation of Acute and Anticipatory Nausea. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 2016;1(1):113-121. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0006 ↩︎
5. Russo EB, Marcu J. Cannabis Pharmacology: The Usual Suspects and a Few Promising Leads. In: Advances in Pharmacology. Vol 80. Elsevier Inc.; 2017:67-134. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apha.2017.03.004 ↩︎
6. Walsh KB, McKinney AE, Holmes AE. Minor Cannabinoids: Biosynthesis, Molecular Pharmacology and Potential Therapeutic Uses. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2021;12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.777804 ↩︎
7. 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 ↩︎
8. 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 ↩︎
9. 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 ↩︎
10. Stith SS, Li X, Orozco J, et al. The Effectiveness of Common Cannabis Products for Treatment of Nausea. Journal of clinical gastroenterology. 2021;56(4):331-338. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/mcg.0000000000001534 ↩︎

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.