Nausea is something that everyone has most likely experienced at some time in their life. There are many reasons for feeling nauseous: pregnancy, migraines, hangover, or gastrointestinal issues. Other things that can cause one to become nauseous are chemotherapy, food poisoning or stress; nausea may perhaps be the symptom of an underlying illness. Regardless of the reason for the onset of this symptom, most would agree that it is a distinctly unpleasant feeling best avoided. While there are many over-the-counter medications to treat nausea, many people turn to CBD oil. Therefore, we ask the question; using CBD oil for nausea -does it help and how?
Choosing CBD Oil For Nausea- Does It Help?
There are plenty of anti-nausea over the counter treatments to be found in your local pharmacy. While many of these medicines may help treat nausea, they can often have side effects. Additionally, these medications often only treat nausea related to specific issues. Medicines for motion sickness induced nausea, for instance, will not work for nausea caused by stress or migraine.
Therefore, more people who suffer from nausea are turning to more natural products and CBD oil is one of those.
To understand how CBD oil works for nausea works it is probably best to understand some of the causes and physiology of nausea. Then to understand how CBD oil might interact and why its potential benefits for the body make it popular.
Why Do We Experience Nausea?
Nausea is a symptom of other minor or possibly more significant underlying health issues. Some of these, like migraine, motion sickness or a hangover, are relatively short-lived and quickly resolved. Usually, it is caused by your brain informing your body that something is off balance.
Our bodies work in sync to make sure that everything operates as it should. When viruses or toxins enter our bloodstream, our bodies act fast to excrete those toxins. The nausea is a prelude to that excretion, in the form of vomit. Food poisoning and hangovers are just two examples.
Some common causes of nausea:
- Migraines
- Food poisoning
- Pregnancy
- Anxiety
- Motion Sickness
- Drug or Alcohol consumption
- Chemotherapy
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Medication Side effects.
How Does CBD oil Help Nausea?
Papers researching how CBD can help regulate nausea were published in 2013 and suggested that CBD could provide potential benefits in lowering nausea alongside other treatments as part of an integrated treatment plan.
However, as most of the studies carried out to date have been on rats, it is essential to discuss any cannabinoid use with your health professional, particularly if you have an illness such as cancer.
One study on humans who had chemotherapy-related nausea explored the use of the drug Sativex. At the same time, this particular medication containing both CBD and THC is not yet approved by the Food and Drugs Association (FDA).
Although, participants involved in the small study did feel it impacted them positively. While there is still plenty of research to do on this subject, some studies suggest that CBD oil interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in a manner that may prove beneficial in reducing nausea.
Read our similar blog on: CBD for Acne
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea
When looking at why CBD oil for nausea may be helpful, it is useful to look at one area where most studies occur. That is the area of chemotherapy-induced nausea. There are, numerous studies highlighting the side effects of chemotherapy on cancer patients, and nausea is on top of the list.
While chemotherapy is a life-saving treatment for many, it can also have severe side effects. Debilitating nausea and vomiting is one side effect that can discourage those embarking on treatment. Over 80% of chemo patients suffer from chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Another side effect is loss of appetite, which can be detrimental to a cancer survivor's recovery. Keeping a healthy weight and a healthy immune system is imperative to the recovery process. CBD potentially increases appetite. Therefore, adding benefit by making sure the immune system gets the nourishment it needs.
Thirdly, there is often a reluctance by those going through chemotherapy treatment to try nausea medication, for fear of overloading an already weak system. These are just some reasons why the American Cancer Society has CBD listed as a treatment option for those looking for more natural methods to suppress nausea, with few side effects.
Moreover, CBD can inhibit serotonin from combining with your serotonin receptors, which are highly responsible for nausea and motion sickness. These are just a few reasons why people going through chemotherapy treatments may feel CBD is beneficial.
Other Reasons To Use CBD
Still, even with limited research, we do know one thing for sure. CBD has the potential to help with various ailments. Since it can help with several issues that cause nausea, it can also help reduce nausea. The body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) likely plays a key role.
The network of neurotransmitters and receptors throughout the brain and body appears to regulate various internal homeostatic functions. A study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in 2011 suggests that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system by regulating nausea.
Some causes of nausea include:
- Anxiety – Since stress can cause nausea, and CBD potentially reduces stress, it makes sense that CBD might help.
- Appetite – It's been found that CBD can help to stimulate people's appetites when they are experiencing a lack of appetite
- Inflammation – A prominent feature of nausea and inflammation. As research has shown, CBD has the potential to manage various types of inflammation and is considered a natural anti-inflammatory.
- Pain – While pain in itself can cause nausea, it's more often that pain medications cause nausea.
What Is The Correct Dosage Of CBD Oil For Nausea?
When taking CBD oil for nausea or any other reason, it is always advisable to start with a low dosage and increase accordingly. Mainly as too much CBD can cause fatigue, which can also cause nausea; therefore, discussing it with your health professional is advised. Especially if you are a beginner to CBD oil.
Your CBD dosage depends on several factors, like your body height and weight. How you tolerate CBD and what is causing the symptoms of nausea. If you're using CBD to address nausea, it may be best to take it early in the morning or late at night.
Taking your CBD oil sublingually is a perfect method of taking CBD, as the dropper that comes with the bottle allows easy dosage. Moreover, holding the CBD under the tongue means that it does not go through the digestive system. In addition, this means that the effects of the cannabinoid are felt faster.
Other Ways To Take CBD For Nausea
There are plenty of choices available when looking to avail of the potential benefits of CBD. The choice you make depends on what works best for you. Some methods like vaping offer the same biodiversity as taking sublinguals. Which is one reason it is a popular choice with those looking for immediate effects.
Capsules, beverages and edibles also offer enjoyable methods of consumption. However, the journey through the digestive system takes longer for the effects of CBD to work and some CBD is lost due to the digestive process. Whichever method you decide is best for you. Always check labels for potency, quality and third party lab testing.
If you are consuming CBD for nausea, it is essential to choose a product that will not make you feel worse. Check the company's extraction process to ensure the CBD oil you buy is contaminant free. Check for the Certificate of Analysis and where the hemp is grown. Ways to consume CBD
- Vaping- is an excellent option for nausea, as it is potent and very fast-acting. Inhaling CBD bypasses the digestive system, allowing CBD almost immediately to reach the lungs.
- CBD edibles- The primary benefit is that edibles can be long-lasting. Taking CBD with food or drink: is another straightforward way to consume
- CBD oil-The compound passes through the digestive system and makes its way to the bloodstream.
Is Hemp Seed Oil Similar To CBD Oil?
People often confuse CBD oil and hemp oil as the same thing. However, it is important to note that CBD oil and hemp oil come from different parts of the plant and differ significantly in purpose. CBD comes from the flowers of the plant through a CO2 extraction process. This process maximises the cannabinoid content, resulting in a good quality CBD
rich oil.
In comparison, hemp oil or hemp seed oil is a derivative of hemp plant seeds. While hemp seed oil has excellent nutritional value and is rich in omega acids and essential vitamins, it does not contain any CBD. Therefore, it is more common to find it used in cooking or as an additive to moisturisers and skin products. In comparison, CBD oil is consumed for a variety of potential therapeutic benefits.
Takeaway
When exploring the possibilities of CBD oil for nausea-does it help? It would seem that CBD presents many benefits for some of the causes of nausea. In addition, it is therefore helpful in relieving the uncomfortable feeling that many people experience as a result of nausea.
It is important to remember that unless it contains CBD oil, hemp oil or hemp seed oil will not offer the same potential benefits for nausea. Although it is an extremely nutritious supplement
If you liked reading this, be sure to check our other blog: The Ultimate Guide to CBD
