Several studies show the beneficial effects of cannabinoids for nausea, but the product type and dosage matter. In the body, cannabinoids activate the endocannabinoid system, or the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) interacts with the CB1 receptors in the brain and disrupts their signaling to block the feeling of nausea.
Are THC gummies suitable for nausea? If so, how do you use them? This article explores the pros and cons of using THC gummies for nausea.
What Are THC Gummies?
THC gummies are edible gummy candies infused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These gummies can be made from hemp or marijuana, and the origin of the THC determines their legality.
Gummies infused with hemp-derived THC are legal in the United States under the 2018 Farm Bill as long as their delta 9 THC concentration doesn’t exceed 0.3%.
Marijuana-infused gummies are illegal at the federal level because marijuana is a prohibited substance. Despite the federal prohibition, marijuana-derived THC gummies are allowed for sale in over a dozen states, including California, Oregon, Nevada, Massachusetts, and more.
There are several types of THC gummies for nausea, but the two most popular ones are delta 8 THC gummies and delta 9 THC gummies. Some states, including Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Utah, New York, Idaho, have banned the sale and distribution of delta 8 THC.
Delta 9 THC Gummies for Nausea
Delta 9 THC gummies are edible hemp products infused with hemp-derived delta 9 THC in a concentration of no more than 0.3% by weight. Mr. Hemp Flower Delta 9 THC Gummies are crafted with 25 mg delta 9 THC derived from federally legal hemp that’s infused directly into the recipe.
If you are a beginner, you can start with half of our 10 mg Delta 9 THC Gummies, which are sugar-free and vegan-friendly. These gummies are potent and will give you a psychoactive experience. Our premium gummies are made with all-natural ingredients and take up to an hour to work and up to two hours to peak.
Delta 8 THC Gummies for Nausea
Delta 8 THC gummies are chewable gummy candies infused with hemp-derived delta 8 THC. This cannabinoid is twice less potent than delta 9 THC, but it will still provide a mildly psychoactive experience.
Unlike the delta 9 THC gummies, our Delta 8 THC Gummies (25 mg, mixed berry flavor) provide a mellower, more soothing sensation, and less stimulation. Our gummies are directly infused with the delta 8 THC extract and are not coated or sprayed.
Do THC Gummies Work for Nausea
When medical marijuana was legalized in the 1990s, it was to protect cancer patients from persecution by the authorities because many of them used marijuana for nausea. Most states that legalized marijuana for medical purposes have listed “nausea” as a qualifying condition for treatment.
Studies show that medical marijuana helps patients deal with chemotherapy-induced nausea that’s resistant to other medications.
A recent 2022 study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology found that over 96% of the participants found relief from nausea and noticed a decrease in nausea severity by 4 points (on a scale of 0-10) within the first hour of consumption [1].
A 2016 study revealed that patients experiencing nausea from chemotherapy found relief in legal cannabis medication that combines CBD and THC at a 1:1 ratio (Sativex). According to the study, the patients had a more significant improvement on their nausea from cannabinoids than traditional anti-emetic (anti-nausea) treatment [2].
Delta 8 THC is also a promising anti-emetic, with studies showing that it’s potentially 200% more effective at reducing nausea symptoms than delta 9 THC. In a 2011 study, Mechoulam and Abrahamov revealed that delta 8 THC completely prevented vomiting in children undergoing chemotherapy with negligible side effects [3].
How to Use THC Gummies for Nausea?
Here are a few tips on how to use THC gummies for nausea.
Time Them Properly
Edible cannabis products take a while to work. When ingested, cannabinoids are absorbed through the digestive system, so you’ll have to wait between 30 minutes and two hours to feel the effects of the THC gummy.
Because they take so long to work, you need to time them. That is, if nausea appears after a certain activity or at a certain period or time of the day, you need to take the gummy at least an hour before that.
Typically, most people rely on smokable cannabis products for nausea because they are the only product that offers instant and strong relief. According to research, THC flower and concentrates performed faster and better for symptoms of nausea than edibles or tinctures, with joints being superior to vapes.
The good news is once the THC gummy kicks in, its effects will last from six to eight hours. So, if you are a smoker who needs immediate nausea relief, you can combine a smokable THC product with a THC gummy to get the best of both worlds: quick and prolonged relief.
Get the Dosage Right
Consuming the right THC dosage when trying an edible for the first time is key to a pleasant experience. THC edibles hit stronger than smokables, so even if you’ve smoked cannabis before, you need to start with a low dose of edibles.
The recommended beginner’s dosage for THC gummies is 2.5 mg delta 9 THC and 5 mg delta 8 THC. This dose is considered a microdose or a very low dose that will leave you feeling nothing or get you mildly intoxicated. On top of the THC dose, you can add an equal ratio of cannabidiol (CBD).
A 10 mg delta 9 THC edible is also too high for a beginner, so please don’t jump to 10 mg immediately if the microdose doesn’t do anything for you. In this case, increase it gradually to 5 mg and then to 8 mg and 10 mg once you start feeling comfortable. If THC gummies don’t do anything for you, maybe you should switch to tinctures, smokables, or HHC gummies.
If you happen to take a higher dose, no big deal. In this case, try to rest and watch a movie until the effects wear off.
THC Gummies Make Me Nauseous. What to Do?
Most of the time, the reason behind such symptoms is a high dose. Again, edibles hit differently in the brain because they are metabolized through the digestive system. It does take a while for edibles to work, but once they do, the effects last longer than smokable cannabis.
People who have been smoking cannabis tend to take a 20 mg to 40 mg THC edible because they assume they have developed tolerance, but start feeling dizzy, nauseous, and paranoid. Lower the dose if you are sensitive to THC and felt nauseated your first time taking THC gummies. Begin with a microdose of 2.5 mg and increase from there.
Side Effects And Concerns for Using THC Gummies for Nausea
Extensive research shows that THC helps with nausea even when conventional treatment has failed. But you should know a few things before using THC gummies for nausea.
THC causes several side effects short term, including:
- Altered sense of time
- Altered mood
- Impaired memory
- Difficulty thinking
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
Frequent cannabis use (more than twice a week) in adolescents and adults younger than 25 carries an increased risk of developing psychosis later in life. In addition, heavy cannabis use decreases the gray matter in the brain, which is a large pool of neurons that control memory, movement, and emotions [4] [5].
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
In a small number of individuals who use cannabis at least once a week, there’s a risk of developing cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This condition causes frequent bouts of severe nausea and cyclic vomiting, which disappear when the person stops using cannabis.
CHS is a life-threatening condition and requires medical assistance and abstention from cannabis. So, if you are a consistent THC user who is experiencing severe vomiting and nausea — and nothing seems to help except for long, hot baths — consult your doctor to help you figure out what’s causing your nausea.
Should You Use THC Gummies During Pregnancy?
The short answer is: No.
To help with nausea during pregnancy, some mothers take CBD or THC, which according to studies, should be avoided. An increasing number of research shows that cannabinoid consumption during pregnancy endangers the brain development of the fetus [6] [7] [8].
From a neurobiological perspective, pregnant mothers should avoid cannabinoids during pregnancy (yes, both THC and CBD, but THC, in particular) because they negatively impact the development of nerve cells in charge of the development of higher cognitive functions.
Later in life, the fetus exposed to THC in the womb or at an early age faces an increased risk of neuropsychiatric illnesses.
Where to Buy THC Gummies for Nausea?
Nausea makes your GI tract feel more sensitive, so in this case, buying quality THC gummies is essential. Mr. Hemp Flower crafts Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC Gummies using all-natural ingredients that won’t irritate your body or worsen your symptoms. Our gummies are sugar-free, non-GMO, and vegan-friendly, so you can rest assured they are safe for you.
A third-party lab tests our gummies and provides a detailed Certificate of Analysis as proof of their purity and safety. Our gummies are recommended by numerous reliable sources worldwide that have done background checks or have felt the benefits of our product firsthand.
FAQs
Do CBD THC gummies help with nausea?
According to research, both CBD and THC may ease nausea and improve or regulate appetite.
What form of THC is best for nausea?
Studies show that cannabis flower and concentrates (smoked) show faster and greater relief than edibles, tinctures, and even vapes.
Are edibles good for an upset stomach?
According to research by the UConn School of Medicine (2017), edibles can soothe an upset stomach because cannabis reacts with the receptors in the body that lower the immune response.
What relieves nausea fast?
Smokable cannabis is the best product to relieve nausea and yields the best results when compared to edibles, tinctures, and even vaping.