Let’s take a moment to talk about one of the least pleasant sensations imaginable: Nausea. Nausea is difficult to diagnose: It can stem from food poisoning or some other digestive issue, be the result of motion sickness or a drug or alcohol overdose, or it can be triggered by medications, such as those used in chemotherapy. In other words, any number of things can make you feel nauseous, and when you do, you’ll probably do anything to make it go away.
That’s why we’ve taken a look at the age-old question: Does marijuana help with nausea?
We’ll share what we know about using marijuana for nausea, along with recommendations for some of the best strains for nausea that may be able to give you fast relief when you need it most!
The Science Behind Marijuana for Nausea
Serotonin is responsible for regulating our moods, providing us with the motivation to participate in daily activities, and causing feelings of nausea when something isn’t right. Your gut provides around 95 percent of the serotonin in your body.
That’s where marijuana might help. Research indicates that cannabis interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain and the gut. Cannabis also interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors, which work to slow digestion (gut motility) and calm the stomach muscles.
Marijuana is well-known for offering anti-nausea benefits, but not every strain delivers the same effects. How do you determine which is the best strain for nausea? For that, we have to look deeper at the important active ingredients in cannabis: cannabinoids and terpenes.
Does Marijuana Help with Nausea? The Concept of Cannabinoids
As you likely already know, cannabinoids are the major “active ingredients” in marijuana. The two most abundant ones are THC and CBD. THC produces the marijuana plant’s euphoric “high,” while CBD does not produce a high but offers several other benefits.
Different marijuana strains contain different ratios of the two major cannabinoids. Whether a given strain is a good match for nausea comes down to how you react to THC’s distinctive psychoactivity.
For instance, if you don’t mind the “high,” euphoria tends to help increase feelings of well-being, thus reducing the unpleasant sensation of nausea. On a deeper level, research shows that THC reduces the urge to vomit by interacting with cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
On the other hand, some of us find THC distracting or even unpleasant. Or, you may need nausea relief at a time where you need to maintain a clearer head. Can CBD help? As it turns out, some research suggests that CBD may be even more helpful for nausea than THC, especially at low doses. And CBD’s chemical precursor—CBDA—is more effective than either CBD or THC at taming nausea.
Best Strains for Nausea
As we suggested a moment ago, it’s helpful to gauge your tolerance for THC. If you find it pleasant or soothing, moderate doses of high-THC strains may help you feel better. Here’s a starter list of some strains to try:
OG Kush
This classic strain is known for its piney, peppery, and earthy aromas. It exerts a powerful euphoria and a noted sense of uplift with moderate to high levels of THC that can range from about 18% to over 25%, which has made it a popular strain for taming nausea.
Sour Diesel
As one of the most popular strains for medical use, “Sour D” is known for its classic uplifting and stimulating characteristics. This popular strain is also recommended for increasing appetite, fighting migraines, and mitigating depression.
Blue Dream
Blue Dream imparts gentle euphoria, creative inspiration, and overall relaxation. This legendary sativa-dominant hybrid is popular for medical use because it can provide noticeable relief from nausea without putting you to sleep, thanks to its moderate average THC levels, which typically range from 15-25%.
Blueberry Diesel
This indica-heavy hybrid imparts relief from nausea, mildly sedating effects, and the unmistakable smell of blueberries. It typically contains moderate THC levels ranging from 15-20%, which makes it approachable for new cannabis patients or consumers, alongside higher than average CBD levels.
Headband
Headband is a cross between two longstanding classic strains on this list—OG Kush and Sour Diesel—and is a fairly balanced hybrid strain. It’s typically potent with average THC levels of 20% and higher, known for its relaxing effects that many reserve for the end of the day.
Lavender
Lavender has anecdotally been used as an essential oil for nausea, and this aptly named indica-dominant hybrid gives off the smell of relaxation with every sniff of its frosty flower. It often clocks in with moderate THC levels between 14% and 18%, making it good for daytime use.
Alternatives When Using Cannabis for Nausea
Smoking or vaping flower isn’t the only way of using cannabis for nausea – you can also ingest THC products for longer-lasting relief without inhalation.
Edibles
Edibles might be the last thing on your mind when you’re feeling sick, but they could make all the difference in helping you feel better by delivering cannabinoids right to where you need it—your digestive tract. Edibles are also filtered by the liver, which may result in a longer and stronger high.
Capsules
Capsules are a bit easier to swallow when you don’t feel like tasting food. Like edibles, THC and CBD capsules take a bit longer to kick in. Still, waiting a little longer for nausea relief that may last up to 12 hours is a good trade-off compared to smoking weed.
Tinctures
While you can swallow tinctures and oils to enjoy their benefits, they can also be used sublingually—which means you’re dropping THC oil under your tongue. When used sublingually, the blood vessels and absorptive tissue in the mouth can transport active ingredients to your bloodstream without having to go through the digestive tract. Tinctures offer a quicker onset time than edibles or capsules, and their effects can last for several hours, too.
Cannabis for Nausea: Our Final Verdict & Strain Recommendation
Cannabis has been used for its antinausea properties for thousands of years, and fortunately, today’s growing anecdotal and clinical evidence supports the potential efficacy of marijuana for nausea. We’d suggest trying OG Kush as a starting point, but you may want to explore some options when it comes to strain and type of product.
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