Medical cannabis for severe nausea — patient guide in Puerto Rico

Why it may help

Nausea and vomiting are coordinated by signaling centers in the brainstem, and the body's own endocannabinoid system has receptors in many of these areas as well as in the gut. Cannabinoids such as THC act mainly on CB1 receptors found in the regions that trigger the vomiting reflex, while the system as a whole appears to help regulate serotonin and other neurotransmitter signals that drive the urge to vomit. By interacting with this network, cannabinoids may dampen the signals that set nausea in motion. This is the same biological pathway that led to research interest in cannabis for hard-to-control sickness.

How patients use it

People dealing with severe, persistent nausea are usually seeking relief from the constant queasiness, the urge to vomit, and the loss of appetite and weight that often come with it. Research suggests that by acting on the endocannabinoid receptors involved in the vomiting reflex, cannabinoids may reduce how often and how intensely nausea strikes, which some people find helps them keep food down and feel more functional. Any use should be guided by a licensed physician, since response, dosing, and product type vary from person to person.

Strength of the evidence

The evidence is substantial for nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy — one of the conditions the 2017 National Academies report identified as best supported — though evidence for severe nausea from other causes is more limited.

Educational information grounded in established pharmacology and public sources. Not medical advice or a guarantee of results — treatment decisions are made with a licensed physician.

From the shelf

Where to start on the menu

Patients exploring relief for severe nausea often start with our Wellness and Relax shelves.

These are navigational suggestions by effect, not medical directions. What you feel depends on a product's chemistry and your body — talk with your physician and our staff.