CBD can relieve chronic nausea, especially that which comes with cancer treatment. It is a natural way to get rid of this irritating feeling rather than over-the-counter drugs for nausea.
CBD oil is derived from the cannabis plant. Unlike the common THC compound found in the same plant, CBD does not cause a high feeling. Choudhury (2020) noted that it has various properties such as antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-seizure that makes it treat various diseases and conditions. It can also relieve chronic pain and nausea. CBD can be taken orally in tinctures, sprays, oil, pills, gummies, and capsules. It can also be found in the form of topicals that are applied to the skin and later absorbed into the body. There are three major types of CBD oil. These are CBD isolate, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum oil. CBD isolate oil only contains a single compound from the cannabis plant, CBD. Broad-spectrum oil contains all the other compounds in the hemp plant apart from THC. Full-spectrum oil contains all the compounds from the hemp plant, including THC. However, THC in any CBD oil does not exceed 0.3%, which is not harmful to the body. Combining THC and CBD makes the oil more effective in treating some diseases and conditions.
What is Nausea?
Wood et al. (2007) defined nausea as discomfort and sensation in the stomach that makes you feel like vomiting. It is very irritating and can affect an individual’s daily activities. Sometimes it can lead to vomiting the content in the stomach. This condition can be triggered by different things such as;
Foods
Overeating and eating oily or spicy foods can trigger nausea. If you happen to eat foods you are allergic to, you might also experience nausea. Therefore, keep away from such foods if you are prone to nausea.
Motion
When traveling in a public vehicle, some people vomit. This vomiting is caused by nausea that is triggered by movements. It is most common if one travels on a full stomach.
Certain Medications
Nausea is a common side effect of many medications. For example, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy cause serious nausea. Other pharmaceutical drugs may also trigger nausea. Always check the medication information for every treatment you are undergoing. In case of serious nausea and vomiting, consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
Nausea is very common in pregnancy. It is among the first sign pregnant women experience before missing their first monthly period. However, not all pregnant women experience nausea. You should not get worried if you experience nausea during pregnancy, as hormonal changes trigger it.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
This is the main cause of nausea. Patients with this disease experience extreme nausea. The nausea is usually accompanied by a burning sensation known as heartburn. If this disease is not treated, it might lead to a more serious stomach ulcer illness. Stomach ulcers are small sores in the lining of the small intestines. Ulcers are also a major cause of nausea.
Stomach Infections
Various infections may attack the stomach. These infections are either viral or bacterial. The main characteristic of these infections is nausea, vomiting, and stomach pains. Nausea can also signify other medical conditions like liver cancer, meningitis, heart attack, kidney diseases, and pancreatitis.
When should you get Worried about Nausea?
Sometimes, nausea can signify a serious health condition that needs immediate attention. If you experience prolonged nausea that does not get better in more than a week, seek medical attention. You should also seek immediate attention if the nausea is accompanied by heart attack signs such as serious chest pains, headaches, sweating, and pain radiating from the chest to the left arm and the neck. If you suspect that you have ingested a poisonous substance and experience nausea, seek immediate attention.
Can CBD oil Treat Nausea?
There is limited research on how CBD can treat nausea. However, Abrams (2016) showed that CBD oil could treat nausea, especially related to cancer treatment. Serafimovska et al. (2020) found that patients who took Sativex while undergoing chemotherapy got relief. Sativex is a medicine that contains both CBD and THC. Therefore, while buying CBD oil to treat nausea, Price et al. (2011) advised users to buy full-spectrum oil as it contains both CBD and THC. CBD also interacts with the serotonin receptors hence improving moods. It may also increase appetite in patients with cancer. However, cancer patients should seek professional advice before trying alternative treatments such as CBD oil.
Benefits of Using CBD Oil to Treat Nausea
Low chances of side effects
Many people are used to over-the-counter pills to treat nausea. These pills have long-term side effects. Using natural methods such as CBD oil may not expose you to serious side effects.
Multiple Benefits
Using CBD oil can have various benefits at a go. The previous study mentioned that it might help calm nausea and treat other chronic pain and anxiety conditions. Cancer patients can benefit from using this natural medication.
Safe for Use
CBD oil is generally considered safe for use. Unlike other pharmaceutical drugs that may put you at risk of developing other health problems such as high blood pressure, CBD is a natural medication and safe for use.
Downsides of Using CBD Oil to Treat Nausea
Change in Appetite
The use of CBD oil may affect an individual’s appetite. Many people have reported having a low appetite when using CBD oil.
Difficult to Ingest
If you are already nauseous, you may find it more difficult to ingest CBD oil. CBD products have a natural, earthy taste that might make you feel uncomfortable. However, to avoid this taste, take CBD oil in capsules.
Conclusion
CBD oil is a natural remedy for various conditions such as nausea. Nausea can be caused by medication, health conditions, and pregnancy, among other reasons. Cancer patients can benefit from CBD oil to reduce nausea caused by chemotherapy treatment. It might also help in reducing anxiety and chronic pain. However, cancer patients should consult a doctor before taking an alternative medication.
References
Abrams, D. I. (2016). Integrating Cannabis Into Clinical Cancer Care. Current Oncology, 23(S1), 8-14.
Choudhury, A. (2020). Pharmacological And Therapeutical Aspects Of Cannabis. Cannabis, 77.
Price, S. L., Fisher, C., Kumar, R., & Hilgerson, A. (2011). Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome As The Underlying Cause Of Intractable Nausea And Vomiting. Journal Of Osteopathic Medicine, 111(3), 166-169.
Serafimovska, T., Darkovska-Serafimovska, M., Stefkov, G., Arsova-Sarafinovska, Z., & Balkanov, T. (2020). Pharmacotherapeutic Considerations For Use Of Cannabinoids To Relieve Symptoms Of Nausea And Vomiting Induced By Chemotherapy. Folia Medica.
Wood, G. J., Shega, J. W., Lynch, B., & Von Roenn, J. H. (2007). Management Of Intractable Nausea And Vomiting In Patients At The End Of Life:“I Was Feeling Nauseous All Of The Time… Nothing Was Working”. Jama, 298(10), 1196-1207.
Nutrition plays an important role in human life. Eating habits are one of the factors that affect our health. There is often a misconception among people that nutritionists force a very restrictive diet, but that is not true. In fact, I don’t ban any products, but I point out dietary mistakes and help change them by giving tips and new recipes that I’ve tried myself. I advise my patients not to resist change and to be purposeful. Only with willpower and determination can a good result be achieved in any area of life, including changing eating habits. When I don’t work, I love to go climbing. On a Friday evening, you are most likely to find me on my couch, cuddling with my dog and watching some Netflix.
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