How to Take CBD Oil for Nausea

Co-authored by Aimée Shunney, ND and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: June 16, 2022 References

CBD oil, or cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in marijuana and another related plant, hemp. Unlike THC, another compound in the marijuana plant, CBD doesn’t cause a “high.” However, it may help reduce nausea and other unpleasant symptoms, like pain and anxiety. If you have nausea due to a medical condition or a medication you’re taking, such as chemotherapy drugs, talk to your doctor about using CBD to get relief.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing a Safe Product

1
Find a licensed dispensary near you if possible. One of the risks of using CBD oil is that many of the products are still poorly regulated. To make sure you’re getting high-quality CBD oil, look for a reputable, licensed dispensary in your area that sells cannabis products. A clinic that specializes in medical marijuana and related products can also help you get high-quality CBD.^{[1]
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- Do a search online using terms like “licensed CBD dispensary near me.”
- A reputable dispensary or clinic can also give you advice on which products will work best for nausea and how to use them properly.
- If you live in an area where there are no medical marijuana dispensaries, you may be able to buy CBD products online, in a smoke shop, or even from a local pharmacy or convenience store. However, make sure to check that any products you buy are third party verified for safety and purity.^{[2]
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2
Choose a product that’s been lab verified. Using low-quality or contaminated CBD oil could make you sick, and it’s less likely to treat your nausea effectively. Ask your doctor or the staff at a dispensary or clinic if they can recommend a reputable brand or product that’s been tested by a third party verifier.^{[3]
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- Visit the ANSI National Accreditation Board’s search database and look for “cannabidiol” or “CBD” to find information about third-party testing labs: http://search.anab.org/.
- Ask to see the COA (certificate of analysis) whenever you purchase a CBD product. The COA will contain information about lab test results, including the purity of the product and what kinds of cannabinoids it contains.^{[5]
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- If you don’t have any licensed dispensaries in your area, do some research on any products you’re interested in buying to find out if they’re third party verified. You can also check the list of warning letters issued by the FDA to companies with possibly unsafe products.^{[6]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
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Warning: Your dispensary should be able to provide information on how their products are tested. If they won’t or can’t share that information, don’t buy from them.^{[4]
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3
Look at the label to determine how much CBD is in the product. It can be hard to take the right dosage of a CBD product if you don’t know how much CBD is in it. Check the label and make sure you get a product that specifies the amount of CBD in each dose (e.g., 10 mg per drop).^{[7]
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- Read the label carefully and check that the product specifies the amount of “CBD” or “cannabidiol” rather than “cannabinoids.” The term cannabinoids can also refer to other compounds, like THC.
4
Research local laws about using CBD oil. Before you try to use CBD oil to treat your nausea, look up whether you can legally buy and use CBD in your area. The laws governing the use and sale of CBD oil are still evolving in many places.^{[8]
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- Try searching online using terms like “Is it legal to buy CBD oil in New York State?”

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using CBD Oil

1
Use a vaporizer for rapid relief. The quickest way to absorb CBD into your bloodstream is to inhale it. If you’re struggling with nausea and need fast relief, use a vaporizer to inhale the oil as a vapor. You should start to feel the effects pretty quickly.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Aimée Shunney, ND
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Expert Interview. 31 January 2020.}
- A doctor experienced in treating nausea with CBD can show you how to use a calibrated vaporizer to ensure you’re getting the right dose.^{[11]
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- If you can’t buy vape products from a licensed dispensary or find third party verified vape products in your area, it may be safest to avoid vaping CBD. Always use extreme caution when purchasing and using these products.
Warning: Using contaminated vaping products can cause serious illness or death.^{[10]
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Research source} If you plan to vape your CBD, only use lab-verified products from reputable clinics or dispensaries. Look for cartridges that are labeled “solvent free.”
2
Take a tincture if you’re concerned about vaping hazards. If you’re worried about the possible health effects of vaping CBD oil, using a tincture is also an effective way to absorb CBD into your bloodstream fairly quickly. A tincture comes in the form of a liquid or spray. Put a drop of the liquid under your tongue or use a single puff of spray on the inside of your cheek, and hold it in your mouth for 30 seconds before swallowing.^{[12]
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- You can find full-spectrum CBD oil tincture options easily online. Popular brands include: Just CBD, Green Roads, and CBDistillery.
- If you're looking to alleviate anxiety and sleep better, you can also try a CBD sleep oil.
- You can choose between multiple dosage options on sites like CBDfx.
- It may take 15-30 minutes before you feel the benefits of the tincture.
- Don’t put the spray or drops on top of your tongue, since this will prevent the CBD from entering your bloodstream as effectively.
- If possible, ask a doctor to recommend an appropriate dosage for treating nausea. Until you know how the CBD oil affects you, it may be best to start with the lowest possible dose and gradually work your way up.
3
Try edibles to prevent delayed nausea. You can get CBD in a variety of edible products, including gummies, baked goods, and beverages, like iced coffee or tea. It can take at least 30 minutes for CBD to get into your bloodstream when you eat it, so use this method if you don’t need immediate nausea relief.^{[13]
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- For example, some doctors use cannabinoids preventatively by giving their patients an edible before giving them a medication or treatment that may cause nausea.^{[14]
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  PubMed Central
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- It’s hard to measure the dosage precisely when you’re taking CBD in edible form. If you want to know exactly how much you’re getting, try taking a CBD pill or capsule.
4
Look into a more potent CBDA product for stronger relief. CBDA is the form cannabidiol takes before it is heated. Some studies suggest that CBDA might be even more effective for treating nausea than CBD.^{[15]
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Research source} Check with your local dispensary to find out if they sell CBDA products.
- The best way to get CBDA is to drink juice from a fresh, raw plant that is rich in CBD, such as a hemp plant.
5
Ask your doctor about using a product that contains some THC. While there’s not much research yet on the effects of CBD on nausea in humans, THC is already a well-recognized anti-nausea medication.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Some doctors who use cannabinoids to treat nausea find that a combination of CBD and THC works best for their patients.^{[17]
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Research source} If you live in an area where medical marijuana is available, ask your doctor about getting a prescription so you can use products that have both CBD and THC in them.
- THC can not only help relieve the nausea itself, but may also reduce the emotional stress of dealing with nausea or other symptoms of your health condition.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Medical Care and Advice

1
See your doctor if you don’t know what’s causing your nausea. If you have nausea for more than 1-2 days and you don’t know what’s causing it, call your doctor or visit an urgent care clinic. It may be a symptom of a more serious medical condition.^{[18]
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Research source} Your doctor can figure out what’s going on and work with you to treat the underlying cause. Common causes of nausea include:
- Motion sickness
- Stomach viruses
- Food poisoning
- Pregnancy
- Severe pain or stress
- Exposure to toxins
- Indigestion
- Gallbladder disease
- Certain medications or medical treatments, like chemotherapy or radiation therapy
2
Talk to your doctor about whether you can use CBD safely. Before using CBD or any other medication or supplement, talk to your doctor. They can help you decide whether CBD is likely to be a safe and effective treatment for your nausea.^{[19]
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- Give your doctor a full list of any other medications or supplements you are currently taking. CBD can interact poorly with some medications, such as blood thinners, certain antidepressants, and cholesterol-lowering medications.
- Let your doctor know if you are pregnant, nursing, or have any other health conditions. They can advise you about whether it’s safe for you to use CBD.
- Your doctor can also recommend other possible treatment options for your nausea, including lifestyle changes, natural remedies, and medications.
3
Look for a doctor who has experience using CBD to treat nausea. A healthcare provider who has experience recommending CBD for nausea can give you sound advice on how much CBD to take and how to use it safely. A doctor who works with medical marijuana or a naturopathic physician might be especially helpful.
- Ask your primary care doctor if they can refer you to a healthcare provider who works with CBD.^{[20]
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4
Ask your doctor about the best dose for controlling nausea. Since CBD oil isn’t a well-researched treatment for nausea, there aren’t a lot of clear dosing guidelines available. However, an experienced healthcare provider can recommend a safe and effective dose. They can also work with you to adjust your dose if necessary.
- Healthcare practitioners who work with CBD recommend starting with a low dose (such as 10 mg per day) and gradually increasing the dose until you get the effect you want.^{[21]
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5
Let your doctor know if you experience any side effects. Most people tolerate CBD well. However, it does occasionally cause side effects. Let your doctor know if you experience any of the following while using CBD:^{[22]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Dry mouth
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Increased nausea or vomiting
Warning: In rare cases, long-term users of marijuana may develop a condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This condition causes severe nausea and vomiting when you use THC or other cannabinoids. Stop taking any cannabinoid products and talk to your doctor if your nausea and vomiting get worse.^{[23]
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Cedars Sinai Hospital
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Expert Q&A
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Question

What is the fastest way to absorb CBD?

Aimée Shunney, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Aimée Gould Shunney is a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor at Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine in Santa Cruz, California where she specializes in women's health and hormone balancing. She also consults with various companies in the natural products industry including CV Sciences, makers of PlusCBD Oil. Dr. Aimée educates consumers, retailers, and healthcare providers about CBD oil through written articles, webinars, podcasts, and conferences nationwide. Her work has been featured at the American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Conference, and on Fox News. She earned her ND from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2001.

Aimée Shunney, ND

Licensed Naturopathic Doctor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

The vape pen is going to be the fastest, unless you're looking for topical relief. In that case, CBD lotions or moisturizers are going to be faster.
Question

Is nausea a side effect of CBD oil?

Aimée Shunney, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Aimée Gould Shunney is a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor at Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine in Santa Cruz, California where she specializes in women's health and hormone balancing. She also consults with various companies in the natural products industry including CV Sciences, makers of PlusCBD Oil. Dr. Aimée educates consumers, retailers, and healthcare providers about CBD oil through written articles, webinars, podcasts, and conferences nationwide. Her work has been featured at the American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Conference, and on Fox News. She earned her ND from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2001.

Aimée Shunney, ND

Licensed Naturopathic Doctor

Expert Answer

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I've found in my practice that side effects tend to be few and far between. The biggest issue I've seen is sleepiness, which is actually great if you're taking it right before bed. I don't think nausea is going to be a side effect for most people.
Question

Will CBD cure my nausea?

Aimée Shunney, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Aimée Gould Shunney is a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor at Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine in Santa Cruz, California where she specializes in women's health and hormone balancing. She also consults with various companies in the natural products industry including CV Sciences, makers of PlusCBD Oil. Dr. Aimée educates consumers, retailers, and healthcare providers about CBD oil through written articles, webinars, podcasts, and conferences nationwide. Her work has been featured at the American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Conference, and on Fox News. She earned her ND from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2001.

Aimée Shunney, ND

Licensed Naturopathic Doctor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If I'm giving a patient CBD as part of a treatment for something like anxiety, sleep, or pain, then obviously I'm tracking how that symptom is changing as well. If the CBD is providing you relief and your symptoms are getting better, that's going to help you and your doctor come up with a concrete solution. You may end up staying with the CBD, or you could move to as as-needed basis, or you could totally stop with the CBD.