Nausea is more of a symptom than an ailment on its own. It can be caused by a wide range of conditions. Some are temporary or easily alleviated while others are chronic and difficult to identify, let alone treat.
Cannabis interacts with receptors throughout the body, including the digestive system, meaning it may offer relief to people suffering from chronic nausea.
What Causes Nausea?
The most common cause of nausea is viral gastroenteritis, the common “stomach flu.” Nausea can also be caused by bad food, drinking alcohol, multiple minor ailments, and even extreme hunger. These causes are temporary, and often fade in a few days or less.
Chronic nausea, on the other hand, can be brought on by conditions that are more often used as criteria for a physician to recommend medical cannabis.
- Cancer treatment
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Ulcers
- Inflammatory bowel disease(IBS)
- Nervous system conditions or damage
- Hepatitis
- Pancreatitis
- Migraine headaches
Nausea Signs & Symptoms
Nausea is generally considered a symptom rather than a condition in and of itself. It can be an indication that something else is wrong. Sometimes the cause is simple, like a stomach virus or drinking too much, and the feeling will pass in a few hours or days. Other times, nausea can be a sign of a serious medical condition that needs treatment from a physician.
Nausea often presents as a feeling of digestive discomfort. It might come with cramping or pain. It can cause excessive salivation and lead to vomiting.
How Cannabis Can Help Alleviate Nausea
Cannabis has shown the potential to provide relief for people dealing with nausea and vomiting symptoms.1
Nausea is one of the most common symptoms for which physicians recommend cannabis, and some states even cite chronic nausea as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis.
Research conducted on the underlying mechanisms that allow cannabis to alleviate nausea has shown that THC binds to CB1 endocannabinoid receptors within a region of the brain responsible for internal sensations in the body. It’s theorized that the body’s endocannabinoid system naturally modulates sensations like nausea, so cannabinoids from plants, like THC, would have a similar effect.
A study from the University of New Mexico analyzed data collected from the Releaf app to see how effective medical cannabis users found the plant at treating their nausea symptoms.2 Researchers also considered the methods of cannabis consumption and the types of cannabis used to treat nausea. The researchers found that more than 96% of those surveyed felt relief from cannabis.
Dried smokable cannabis flower and cannabis concentrates showed the strongest results, followed by edibles and tinctures, and finally vapes. The research team also noticed that users consuming sativa and hybrid strains reported greater relief than indica consumers. Additionally, the study found that higher THC strains seemed to bring more relief than high CBD strains.
It should be noted that cannabis may not provide nausea relief for every consumer.
Researchers cautioned that cannabis may not be the best option for treating children or pregnant women as the effects on development are not well understood.
In rare instances, overuse of cannabis can lead to cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), which is characterized by extreme nausea and repeated vomiting. CHS isn’t completely understood, but it is believed to be caused by an overstimulation of endocannabinoid receptors. It’s unclear why the condition develops in some individuals and not in others. The only known way to fully alleviate symptoms of CHS is to abstain from cannabis, even if temporarily, to clear the body of residual cannabinoids.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers nausea to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes nausea as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to register for your state’s medical marijuana program.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 22 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Nausea
What terpenes are best for nausea?
Terpenes are common in herbal remedies for nausea. Mint and ginger appear to be effective and those are rich in limonene and humulene (two of the most common terpenes found in cannabis).
What strains are best for nausea?
Research suggests that sativa dominant strains may be more effective than indicas when treating nausea. Common sativa strains that patients have reported relief from include:
- Durban Poison
- Jack Herer
- OG Kush
- Sour Diesel
Do edibles help with nausea?
Research suggests that smoking dried cannabis flower or inhaling concentrates (dabbing) are more effective and provide quicker relief but edibles may be just as effective depending on the individual.
Resources
1. Parker, Linda A, et al. “Regulation of Nausea and Vomiting by Cannabinoids.” British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 163, no. 7, 12 July 2011, pp. 1411–1422, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165951/, 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01176.x.
2. “Cannabis Offers Immediate Relief from Symptoms of Nausea, but Product Use Matters.” UNM Newsroom, news.unm.edu/news/cannabis-offers-mmediate-relief-from-symptoms-of-nausea-but-product-use-matters. Accessed 20 Dec. 2022.
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.
