Does CBD Help With Nausea?
In years past, much of the general population had fears about the safety of any product sourced from a hemp plant, regardless of whether it was recreational marijuana or pain-reducing CBD. Today, however, experts and physicians are far more confident in CBD's potential as an effective treatment for a range of common illnesses.
Chief among these is acute nausea, an unpleasantly familiar sensation to many of us. Triggered by food poisoning, air travel, chemotherapy, or countless other situations, nausea can bring even the best times to a screeching halt, and those who frequently suffer its effects have likely tried countless management methods.
The question, then, is simple: Does CBD help with nausea? And, if so, what is the best CBD product for reducing nausea? In this article, we'll answer both, along with information about our CBD mints and how they might help improve your day-to-day life.
What Is Nausea?
While most people are, unfortunately, familiar with the sensation of nausea, relatively few understand the underlying mechanism of action responsible for both nausea and vomiting. In the human body, nausea occurs due to a relationship between the digestive tract, nervous system, and serotonin receptors. And, though things like food poisoning can indeed trigger sudden nausea, experts increasingly look to the brain for potential treatments.
Medical researchers believe temporarily suppressing serotonin production may head off nausea before it takes hold, saving you from pain and potential embarrassment. Although many prescription drugs offer this serotonin-dampening effect, many users prefer a more natural, less harsh treatment method.
Nausea Symptoms
While most people consider nausea a symptom of other illnesses, it nonetheless has its own unique range of symptoms. These include:
- Intestinal spasms
- Cold sweat
- Sudden loss of appetite
- Need to vomit
- Increased saliva production
- Fatigue or weakness
Nausea Causes
Because nausea is linked to so many different bodily functions, it can be caused by an enormous range of conditions and situations. We've listed some of the most common below and how they might be managed with the proper CBD supplement.
Chemotherapy-induced Nausea
Often, the chemicals involved in cancer treatment may induce severe nausea in cancer patients by killing off fast-growing cells in the digestive system. This effect is so intense that some chemotherapy patients experience acute and "anticipatory" nausea, where their body creates symptoms before treatment even begins.
Still, a growing number of studies cite CBD as a potential treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Motion Sickness
One of the most common causes of nausea, motion sickness occurs when your brain struggles to cope with information sent from your five senses. This may happen when flying, driving on winding roads, or even experiencing very loud noises.
Luckily, motion sickness-induced nausea can be treated preventatively by taking a medication such as CBD when you know you'll be in high-risk circumstances.
Alcohol Consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption can produce nausea both while drinking and during the ensuing hangover. While the best solution here is often to regulate the alcohol consumption itself, CBD supplements can suppress hangover-related nausea and provide relief.
Flu
Chances are, you've had the stomach flu at least once during your life. Also known as gastroenteritis, these bugs affect millions of people each year, with norovirus alone afflicting almost 700 million people worldwide each year. Adding CBD to your normal flu treatment routine may help reduce nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.
Migraines
Unless you or someone you love suffers from chronic migraines, you may be surprised to learn that they can cause severe nausea for two or more days. For more extreme cases, doctors may prescribe powerful drugs to grant immediate relief.
By keeping a CBD supplement on hand, however, you can be ready for when a migraine starts rather than having to schedule an appointment with your physician.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Nearly 70 million Americans struggle with serious gastrointestinal issues, and experts say that number is only increasing each year. And, whether you suffer from IBS, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or any other disruption of the digestive system, you probably know the value of having a trusted method of nausea relief on hand.
Like with motion sickness, many CBD products can be taken prior to a situation you expect to trigger GI symptoms, such as before a big meal out.
How Does CBD Work for Nausea and Vomiting?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally-occurring compound found within the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects and has instead been used for a number of health benefits and medical applications. Beyond its ability to calm anxiety, reduce inflammation, and treat chronic pain, CBD's anti-nausea effects have earned it special attention from researchers trying to address common causes of nausea and vomiting.
These effects are due to the way that CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system and serotonin receptors, both of which regulate mood and critical functions around the human body. When serotonin receptors become overactive and pump too much of the chemical into your digestive system, administering a CBD supplement may relieve nausea by calming serotonin receptors and reducing production.
Mints and Gummies vs. CBD Oil
Typically, most approved nonprescription CBD products come as CBD oil or a tincture, which could be easily dosed via a dropper. As the demand for high-quality CBD products grew, however, many companies began experimenting with new, more convenient delivery methods.
Today, two of the most common of these methods are CBD mints and CBD gummies, both of which offer unique benefits compared to CBD oils. Specifically, CBD oils are generally faster-acting than either gummies or mints but provide relief for a much shorter period.
CBD mints and gummies need slightly longer to take effect but also provide relief for much longer periods. Additionally, gummies and especially mints are more discreet and convenient than other CBD products, as they can be carried in a pocket or bag and taken easily whenever the situation demands.
Are CBD Products Right for You?
If you're still unclear about the underlying cause of your nausea, it might be best to speak with your healthcare provider and establish a clear plan of action. That said, those looking to treat nausea at home may want to invest in a high-quality CBD product like our Süth Mints.
Specially formulated to include only CBD isolate and less THC than a full-spectrum CBD oil, these mints provide discrete, long-lasting relief from nausea, anxiety, and countless other symptoms. Because our mints dissolve fast and last longer than traditional CBD oils, you won't be stuck taking repeated doses for the same case of nausea, and our mild flavor freshens your breath instead of leaving the trademark earthy aftertaste from full-spectrum products.
If you're interested in a new method of managing nausea that you can keep in your back pocket, consider taking a look at our three proprietary mint formulas and seeing if they're right for you.