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Table Of Contents
Delta 8 For Nausea – How It Works, Research, And More
Delta 8 is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the hemp plant and the cannabis plant.
While it promises some great potential health benefits, more research needs to be done on delta 8 to confirm all of its benefits.
One of the most studied potential health benefits of delta 8 THC is its antiemetic properties. An antiemetic is a drug that provides relief for nausea and vomiting.
Delta 8 THC use for nausea is supported by anecdotal reports and clinical evidence in humans and animals.
So if you are searching for a potential remedy instead of the typical stuff for that queasy stomach feeling or to fight a nasty hangover, you might consider delta 8 THC.
What Research Says
Research suggests it to be an efficient new cannabinoid antiemetic that is more potent compared to other traditional THC products.
This article discusses the antiemetic properties of delta 8, its side effects, and how to use delta 8 and nausea remedies.
Delta 8 THC exhibits antiemetic effects by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to alter neurotransmitter levels.
The ECS is a complex cell signaling system responsible for regulating most of our core body functions.
The Role Of The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system has the main function of maintaining homeostasis in the body, which involves regulating functions like temperature, digestion, metabolism, and vomiting.
It is made up of three components; endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and enzymes.
The ECS has two main cannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2). According to the national cancer institute, delta 8 binds to the CB1 receptors, which can primarily be found in the central nervous system, the brain, and the spinal cord.
The Bodies Receptors
CB1 receptors regulate psychoactivity, motor control, memory and learning, pain regulation, etc. CB2 receptors are found in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells.
CB1 receptors have also been identified throughout the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) and may play a role in regulating food intake, nausea, gastric secretion, and intestinal inflammation.
By binding with the CB1 receptors, delta 8 produces nausea-stopping effects. According to a review published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, naturally occurring cannabinoids that are useful in treating persistent nausea symptoms act as agonists of the CB1 receptors.
This review verifies that delta 8, a CB1 agonist shows promising results in the treatment of severe nausea.
What The Research Says About Delta 8 THC For Nausea
As we stated earlier, delta 8 THC for nausea is one of the most studied therapeutic benefits of delta 8 THC.
Although delta 8 is relatively new compared to other cannabinoids, there is available research that studies its antiemetic properties.
A 1995 Study Of Nausea
One of the more well-known studies on delta 8’s antiemetic properties was published in 1995. This research was headed by Raphael Mechoulam, a renowned Israeli cannabis researcher popularly referred to as the father of cannabis.
The research focused on using delta 8 THC as a treatment for nausea caused by traditional treatments.
In the study, delta 8 was administered to 8 children (3-13 years) with different kinds of patients who were undergoing therapy and, as a result, suffered from persistent nausea and vomiting. Delta 8 THC doses of 18mg/m2 were administered 2 hours before their chemo treatment and were continued every 6 hours after the session for 24 hours.
It was found that nausea and vomiting resulting from the therapy completely stopped. The study confirmed that delta 8 was potentially useful in combating nausea in all 480 patients who used delta 8 in their chemo routine at the time of publication.
The study also suggested that delta 8 was potentially more useful than delta 9 THC as an efficient new cannabinoid antiemetic in pediatric oncology because it could be given in higher concentrations without any adverse events, even in children.
This study was also one of the first to discover that delta 8 is about 50-70% less potent than delta 9 THC hence the milder side effects.
Other studies also revealed delta 8’s antiemetic properties, and currently, there is a pharmaceutical patent on the use of delta 8 as an antiemetic. The research that led to this patent revealed that delta 8 might be up to 200% more effective for managing nausea and vomiting than other cannabinoids. But more research is needed.
Will Delta 8 THC Increase Appetite?
When you are nauseous, the mere idea of food usually sickens you. You lose your appetite for food or water, which is quite disturbing because you need to eat and stay hydrated when you are sick. Fortunately, delta 8 THC products can help to stimulate your appetite and prepare your stomach for food or water, thus helping to manage weight loss.
An Animal Study
A 2004 animal study found that very low doses of delta 8 THC increased appetite in mice by up to 22%. The study compared delta 8 and delta 9 and found that while the two cannabinoids increased activity in the mice in similar ways, delta 8 was a more effective appetite stimulant.
Although animals and humans react to substances in different ways, the researchers concluded that delta 8 potentially stimulates appetite in humans too.
Delta 8 THC Side Effects
Available studies and anecdotal reports show that delta 8 is a safe cannabinoid without many adverse effects.
However, it is always advisable to see a doctor before using delta 8 THC and as a safety measure, it is wise to start with a low dose and slowly work your way up.
Delta 8 THC May Have Negligible Side Effects
The 1995 study conducted on children undergoing therapy found that the compound had negligible side effects, including psychoactive effects.
Only 2 of the youngest children suffered mild irritability to delta 8 THC, which led the researchers to conclude that it was a safe compound.
Potential Side Effects To Be Aware Of
More Research Is Needed
Although scientists are still conducting further research on delta 8 THC from the hemp plant, so far, it is said to have little to no side effects if taken in the right dose. Overuse of marijuana, on the other hand, has been associated with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (cyclical vomiting). However, this has not proved to be the case with Delta 8, which is less potent.
Can You Take Delta 8 THC For Nausea Without Getting High?
It is understandable to want to experience the health benefits of delta 8 THC from hemp plants without feeling its intoxicating effects.
Drawbacks Of Delta 8 THC Products
One major drawback to this natural relief is that it will make you high, but there might be a way to counteract the psychoactive effects of delta 8 THC.
This can be done by taking your delta 8 THC in microdoses. Microdosing would require you to take the delta 8 product in little doses at a time throughout the day instead of taking a higher dose once or twice.
This will likely allow you to get the therapeutic benefits of delta 8 without getting high.
How To Use Delta 8 THC For Nausea
If you are considering delta 8 as a natural relief for nausea or as a hangover cure, then here are a few things to keep in mind.
First, you should ensure that you buy high-quality delta 8 THC products from trusted sources. The delta 8 THC market is unregulated, which allows fake or mislabeled products to be sold. Fake products will most likely add to your queasy feeling, or you might not get the relief you want.
Why The Consumption Method Matters
Secondly, you must find a consumption method that works best for you. Some people prefer to smoke the hemp flower, but that doesn’t work for everyone. For many people, hemp products such as delta 8 gummies work better than vaping or smoking.
The onset of delta 8 effects also depends on the consumption method.
Delta 8 edibles like gummies or cookies will take up to 2 hours to show their full effects, while tinctures and oils can take up to 30 minutes. Smoking or vaping cannabis products will take about 15 minutes to show effects.
Delta 8 Nausea - Conclusion
The effects of delta 8 THC products can last between 2-8 hours. This means you might have to take 2 to 4 doses of delta 8 THC throughout the day when fighting nausea.
Note that the delta 8 experience is different for everyone and there is no one-size-fits-all regarding the quantity consumed or the consumption method. Therefore, it is very important to listen to your body as you take delta 8 and adjust accordingly.
If you would like to keep some delta 8 on hand for when that queasy feeling hits you, then we recommend our delta 8 gummies which come in different flavors. They taste and smell great and we ship to all states that have legalized delta 8 THC.
Disclaimer: If you use prescription medications, always follow your doctor's advice before purchasing delta 8 THC or anything from the cannabis plant. Delta 8 THC is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical conditions. For more information always visit federal government websites.
Clayton McCall
Clayton is a Senior Content Specialist, researcher, and holistic healthcare practitioner. Having been in the supplement industry for more than 15 years, Clayton brings a wealth of experience to the delta 8 space. His publications include alternative therapy, stress and coping, and alternative health.
