An upset stomach can turn a normal day into a rough one really fast. When your stomach turns and you start to feel queasy, it’s almost impossible to think about anything else. Some would argue that nausea is more distressing than vomiting because it’s a continuous sensation. You probably want instant relief. So – will marijuana help with nausea?
Here’s where we share the good news. Medical marijuana for nausea has been studied for decades, and the answer to your question, “Does medical marijuana help with nausea?” is a resounding yes!
Within the body’s endocannabinoid system, cannabis works to activate receptors in the dorsal vagus complex – that’s the nerve responsible for controlling vomiting.
Essentially, cannabinoids and THC have anti-emetic, or anti-nausea, potential. Medical marijuana for nausea is an effective and fast-acting treatment that has been successfully helping patients for years. Only last year (in 2021), Forbes reported on a study that showed 96% of participants had relief of nausea symptoms.
Medical Cannabis and Severe Nausea
Nausea is considered severe, or chronic, when you experience frequent vomiting, intense queasiness, or constantly feel sick to your stomach.
We’ve all felt nauseous at one time or another, but when you experience severe nausea, you lose your ability to live a quality life. Your symptoms interfere with all sorts of daily living activities.
In fact, nausea can cause such a disturbance that many people opt out of treatment for other conditions solely to avoid the adverse effects of nausea. Chemotherapy is an example of this trade-off that many people struggle with. This is one of the reasons many states consider severe nausea a qualifying condition and permit the use of medical marijuana to help with the nausea from your treatment.
Complex Nausea Triggers
Although nausea is a common symptom, it remains one of the most difficult to treat because the contributing factors of an upset stomach can vary significantly.
Nausea can be your primary symptom or the secondary symptom of an underlying condition you have. It can also present itself predictably or unpredictably, adding to the complication of finding relief.
Conditions that can cause nausea
- Crohn’s disease
- Acute gastritis
- Anxiety disorders
- Hypoglycaemia
- Arachnoiditis
- Panic disorders
- PTSD
- Pregnancy
- Food poisoning
- Emotional distress
- Motion sickness
Treatments that can cause nausea
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Amyloidosis
- Huntington’s disease
- Leukemia
- Lupus
- Lymphoma
- Melorheostosis
- Myasthenia Gravis
Benefits of Using Medical Marijuana for Nausea
Whether a primary condition triggers your nausea or the nausea is a secondary effect of you having treatment for your primary condition, medical marijuana is a versatile solution.
For example, it eases other common symptoms related to conditions and treatments, such as:
Chronic pain: Nausea is often associated with chronic pain. Rather than taking an assortment of pills for both conditions, medical marijuana can offer you relief for pain and nausea at the same time.
Reduced appetite: If you’re constantly vomiting, it’s hard to motivate yourself to eat, but it’s important to eat even when you’re sick. Marijuana can relieve the nausea, make you hungry, and give you the desire to eat when you wouldn’t have otherwise.
Anxiety disorders: Flare-ups related to anxiety can lead to nausea. With the proper strain, marijuana can help you calm down and reduce nausea at the same time.
Fatigue: When you have a condition that makes you feel drained and exhausted, you can develop a sensitive stomach, too. Some strains of marijuana can give you the energy you need while soothing your upset stomach at the same time.
Optimizing the Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Nausea
Best strains
There are thousands of strains of marijuana, but they classify into two families – sativa and indica. Sativa boosts your energy and mood, and indica calms you down and helps you sleep. Manufacturers also crossbreed different strains of marijuana to create hybrid versions.
Some of the most popular strains that offer marijuana help with nausea include:
- Cheese
- Death Star
- Chocolope
- Super Sour Diesel
- Chernobyl
- White Fire OG
- Sunset Sherbet
Consumption method
Choosing the best way to consume marijuana to relieve nausea depends on several factors. Some ways to use marijuana work quicker, but others last longer. Some need longer to take effect, but might provide extended release. Consider how your symptoms happen and what your body’s needs are. These are your choices:
- Inhaling (smoking/vaping)
- Tincture (under the tongue)
- Patches (directly on the skin)
- Edibles
Side effects
Cannabis used for medical purposes can have side effects, but the side effects usually cause less discomfort than those of some traditional medicines. Interestingly, depending on the nausea trigger, what some patients consider negative side effects are actually beneficial to others. These are the more common side effects:
- Hunger
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth or thirst
- Insomnia
- Giddiness
- Uneasiness or anxiety
- Red eyes
- Short-term memory loss
- Respiratory issues
Qualify For and Obtain a Florida Medical Marijuana Card
If you think medical marijuana help for nausea could be the solution of your dreams, take some time to familiarize yourself with state law. You won’t be able to take advantage of the benefits of medical marijuana until you’ve qualified for and received a Florida medical marijuana card.
Medical marijuana cards are only available to Florida residents who have a verified qualifying condition, as determined by a medical marijuana doctor.
Visiting your primary care physician is a good place to start. They can help provide records about your medical history and current diagnosis. Taking this to a licensed medical marijuana doctor will give them more insight into your situation and help determine if your condition may qualify.
Nausea Relief Starts with Medical Marijuana
Suffering from nausea doesn’t have to rob you of the life you deserve to live well. Medical marijuana has the potential to provide relief from your nausea so you can get back to living your best life. The evidence is promising, and with the right resources, you can start using medical marijuana to treat your nausea and see the benefits for yourself.
The professional team of licensed medical marijuana doctors at Emerald Health is here to offer you an effective treatment for nausea. We can help determine the right medical marijuana help for your nausea, taking into account your health history, current problems, nausea triggers, and potential side effects. Contact us, and let’s talk about how to get started.