Consult with a medical professional before utilizing cannabis products for a medical issue.
Cannabinoids for Nausea
Nausea is a common complaint that many people experience, and while it can be unpleasant, there are a variety of treatments available. Nausea is often a physiological response to pain, stress, and anxiety. CBD has been found to be effective at treating pain and anxiety in studies. In recent years, cannabis-based products such as CBD and THC have become increasingly popular as treatments for nausea. Let's take a look at how these compounds work to treat nausea, dosage, and more…
CBD and THC are the two major cannabinoids at play when treating nausea. Both have been studied for their antiemetic properties, which means they may help to reduce nausea and vomiting. This is study found THC to be more effective than placebo at treating Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV).
There are many other studies proving that cannabinoids are effective for treating nausea.
How Do CBD and THC Work for Nausea?
This study in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that THC binds to the CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the brain that are located in a region associated with regulating nausea and vomiting. In addition, THC binds to CB1 receptors in the gut, increasing appetite and reducing intestinal motility. In this same study, CBD appears to have a different action that reduces nausea. It binds to serotonin receptors which reduces the irritability of the digestive tract.
Cannabinoid Entourage Effect for Nausea
With this being established, we now have to consider the entourage effect. Patients have been fighting for years to be able to legally use cannabis medicinally. Marinol has been on the market since 1985, why bother? Marinol is expensive, it is synthetic, and it takes much longer to feel the effect than vaporized or smoked cannabis.
Many argue that it is less effective because it lacks all of the other cannabinoids. There are many factors at play here, but the most important is the entourage effect. Cannabis contains 8 major cannabinoids, but the most important are CBD and THC. These 8 cannabinoids work synergistically. Meaning that whole cannabis is greater than the sum of its parts. For an in depth look at the synergy of cannabinoids, please check out our article all about the entourage effect.
THC to CBD Ratio
In the above article, we talk extensively about THC to CBD ratio. Specifically, that cannabis went from 14:1 to 80:1 THC:CBD between 1995 and 2014. This is anecdotal, but many people believe that a more balanced ratio, with higher CBD and other cannabinoid content, helps mitigate unwanted effects from THC. The ideal ratio varies for each individual. For some, the trace amounts of THC in full spectrum CBD oil such as our Key Lime Drops may be perfect for reducing their nausea. Others may need to adjust the ratio by adding THC like our 5mg Stoner Patch Gummies to get the best effect. Let's get into the details of dosage for nausea.
CBD and THC Dosage for Nausea
When it comes to dosage, the amount of CBD and/or THC needed to treat nausea can vary. Everyone is different, cannabis affects everyone differently, and the dosage depends on the individual. Generally, a low dose of CBD or THC is found to be effective. If you are inexperienced with THC, trying 5mg or less is a good starting point, then adjust the dose as necessary. For CBD, 20mg or less is a good starting point. Refer to our CBD Dosing Guidelines for every detail to find the perfect dose for you.
If possible, choose a full spectrum CBD product like our Key Lime Drops. Full spectrum CBD products contain trace amounts of THC which will aid in controlling nausea and vomiting. If a moderate dose is not effective for your nausea, adding 2.5mg or less of our 5mg Stoner Patch Gummies may enhance the antiemetic effects. This provides a small dose of all cannabinoids with about a 10:1 CBD:THC ratio.
First Time THC for Nausea
When using THC for the first time, less is more. Start with 2.5mg or less to get a feel for the effects before increasing dosage. A very small amount of CBD and THC can be effective for treating nausea. Remember, start small, take notes, and make adjustments as necessary. Using a very small dose, and increasing in very small increments will allow you to find an effective dose for your nausea with minimal, if any, side effects.
You Decide if CBD and THC Help Your Nausea
Synthetic THC was approved by the FDA to treat nausea in 1985, but it lacks the entourage of cannabinoids that are found in whole cannabis, and full spectrum products. Many people treating nausea believe that the full spectrum of cannabinoids is more effective for nausea. If you want to try cannabis to help your nausea, our Key Lime Drops have the synergistic effect of the full spectrum of cannabinoids. However, it is under the legal limits for THC content in hemp products. Less than 0.3%. You can take it without psychoactive effects. If you know that the FDA approved THC to treat nausea, and believe that you will need more of it to help your nausea, try our 5mg Stoner Patch Gummies along with the key lime drops to get more hemp derived THC along with the full spectrum of cannabinoids.