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Queasy tummies are as old as boat trips, dodgy prawns and the first day of a new job. Cannabis has been used for centuries to help people feel settled, so it is no surprise that CBD keeps coming up in the conversation. Here is where the science really stands, minus the hype.
First, a quick word about what CBD is not
CBD is not a medicine, and nobody selling CBD oil in the UK is allowed to say it treats nausea, vomiting or anything else. Our products are wellness supplements and skincare, full stop. If you are being sick and it will not stop, the right person to talk to is your GP or NHS 111, not a website. With that said, the research behind CBD and the body’s “feeling sick” system is fascinating, and worth knowing about.
Your body’s built-in settling system
Every one of us has an endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors that helps keep things like mood, appetite and digestion ticking along in balance. Scientists first found it while studying cannabis, hence the name. Part of that network sits in the brainstem, in the exact area that decides whether you are about to lose your lunch.
CBD does not lock onto those receptors the way THC does. Instead, researchers believe it works indirectly, partly by nudging a serotonin receptor called 5-HT1A, which is involved in the queasy signal. Laboratory studies in animals have shown CBD reducing behaviours linked to nausea, which is why the topic gets so much attention.
What the evidence actually says
The strongest evidence belongs to cannabis medicines, not to CBD oil. Nabilone, a prescription drug based on THC, is licensed on the NHS for sickness caused by chemotherapy when other treatments have not worked. For CBD on its own, the promising results are mostly from animal studies and small human trials, and researchers agree that bigger, better studies are still needed. Promising is not the same as proven, and we would rather tell you that than pretend otherwise.
Why people reach for CBD anyway
Ask around and you will hear plenty of people say CBD helps them feel calmer, and that is a big part of the story. Stress and nerves are famous for upsetting stomachs, from butterflies before a speech to the churning that comes with a long, anxious day. Many people include CBD in their routine for that sense of everyday calm, and a calmer mind often means a calmer middle. That is a wellbeing benefit, not a medical one, but it is a real reason CBD has become so popular.
When CBD is not the answer
- Morning sickness. The FSA advises against CBD during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so please give it a miss and speak to your midwife instead.
- Sickness caused by medication or treatment. CBD can change how the liver processes some medicines, so always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.
- Vomiting that lasts more than a day or two, comes with a high temperature, severe pain or blood, or leaves you unable to keep fluids down. Those need proper medical attention straight away.
- Anyone under 18. CBD supplements are for adults only.
The sensible summary
CBD is a gentle, well tolerated plant compound with an interesting relationship to the body’s settling system, and science is still catching up with the stories people tell about it. If you enjoy CBD as part of a calm daily routine, wonderful. If you are feeling properly unwell, put the bottle down and pick up the phone to a professional. Your stomach will thank you either way.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Native Treatments products are food supplements and cosmetics. They are not medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness, including nausea or vomiting. Follow the FSA guidance of no more than 10 mg of CBD a day, and speak to your GP or pharmacist before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication or have a health condition.