We’ve all felt nauseous before, whether from eating the wrong foods, getting car sick, or taking medication on an empty stomach. Nausea is defined as uneasiness or discomfort felt in the stomach that is usually accompanied by an urge to vomit. Nausea is not considered a disease or condition itself, but it can stem from a variety of causes. For some, like those patients undergoing chemotherapy, severe nausea is a chronic and debilitating problem that interferes with daily life. There are medications available to combat the effects of nausea, but often patients complain that traditional drugs prescribed for severe nausea leave them feeling drugged, lethargic and even delusional (i).
There are some non-medication steps you can take to relieve the feeling of nausea such as staying hydrated, eating small frequent meals, and avoiding certain foods that upset your stomach, but for those who suffer from severe nausea, these steps are not enough and many patients have found relief treating their nausea with medical cannabis. In fact, one of the first medical benefits found for cannabis was nausea treatment. “The FDA has approved two cannabinoid receptor agonists for patients receiving chemotherapy to help alleviate nausea—Marinol (dronabinol) and Cesamet (nabilone). You might also explore CBD oil as a natural solution for nausea (ii).” The National Academy of Medicine reviewed effectiveness of cannabis, and found that it was effective against nausea due to chemotherapy (iii)
Research has shown that medical marijuana, including cannabinoids and THC, works as an antiemetic. In some cases, patients reported that medical cannabis works better than other medications prescribed for nausea. Also, it can stimulate appetite in even the sickest of patients, which can be lifesaving for some who are severely ill.
Whether your nausea is minor or severe, research shows that treating your symptoms with medical cannabis can be a natural, effective form of treatment. If you are currently taking medication for nausea and not finding relief, consider talking to your doctor about medical cannabis; severe nausea is a qualifying condition for cannabis treatment. Your doctor can give you more information about the proper type, or strain, of cannabis that can treat the exact symptoms you have, and treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the nausea.
Looking to treat your nausea today? Stop in to any of our Health for Life Arizona locations or go online and discuss with our team members what may be beneficial for your symptoms. They would be glad to make a suggestion. Then discuss it with your physician.
Don’t forget to check our site for more information and to find dispensary deals near you. If you want to learn more, click here to explore Leafly’s extensive list of cannabis strains that are best for nausea (iii) and comment below which strain has helped you the most!
SOURCES:
(i) https://www.leafly.com/news/health/marijuana-for-nausea-and-vomiting-relief
(ii) https://www.singlecare.com/blog/nausea-relief-medication-and-home-remedies/
(iii) https://www.nap.edu/catalog/24625/the-health-effects-of-cannabis-and-cannabinoids-the-current-state
(ivii) https://www.leafly.com/strains/lists/condition/nausea?sort=name