HOW DOES CBD OIL HELP IN THE TREATMENT OF MOTION SICKNESS?

Have you ever had a long trip in a vehicle, boat, cruise, or plane and came out sick? Or have you felt out of balance after embarking on a long trip? Well, if you have had that, your body is likely prone to the symptoms of motion sickness.

Also called a complex syndrome, motion sickness refers to the disorder of the sense of balance that results in nausea or vomiting, among other symptoms. And while the causes of this condition are still undetermined, prescription solutions are often used, albeit with severe side effects. But studies and clinical trials in the past few years have suggested that CBD could be a viable alternative for treating motion sickness.

What is Motion Sickness?

Experts define motion sickness as extreme nausea and dizziness experienced by a traveler due to moving through space. This phenomenon often occurs when one takes a ride in a boat, car, or train. And while the condition can’t be categorized as life-threatening, it causes severe discomfort, vomiting, and nausea.

Statistically, 33% of the U.S population is susceptible to motion sickness – that’s according to the United States National Library of Medicine. This condition is more likely to occur in a certain group of people, but researchers are yet to establish its causes. The most susceptible group of people include:

Those that suffer from migraines.
Women (studies have shown that women are at higher risk than men.
Those with vestibular migraine.

Causes and Symptoms of Motion Sickness

Motion sickness does not have a definitive cause yet, but researchers say triggers vary from person to person, although many think genes and environmental factors are considered the key culprits. Some people can take a bus ride and travel unaffected, while others experience motion sickness under similar circumstances. And while prescription medication can be used to alleviate symptoms, some people eventually outgrow this condition, while others don’t.

Motion sickness occurs when the central nervous system receives conflicting or mixed messages. An example is when someone attempts to read a book and feels dizzy while taking a car ride. In such a scenario, the inner ear and the skin CB2 receptors can sense the motion, but the individual sees are only the book’s stationary pages. These mixed messages often result in one, two, or all of the following:

Dizziness.
Nausea.
Vomiting.

The three symptoms mentioned above are the prime suspects that result from motion sickness, but the scope of the condition is more than that. Motion sickness (also referred to as the complex syndrome) involves more than vomiting and nausea. Others factors such as tiredness or sleep deprivation can contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to this condition. Other symptoms associated with this condition include but are not limited to:

Changes in skin color.
Headaches.
Drowsiness.
Pain.
Cold sweating.
Persistent yawning.

Most of these symptoms can go unnoticed, meaning that motion sickness could be affecting more than the 33% estimate. Besides, the condition is almost always self-treatable. However, cases that threaten to worsen should seek specialist attention, more so those specializing in the body balance issues, ear infections, and the nervous system.

Treatment of Motion sickness: Conventional Methods and Potential Side Effects

There are boundless over-the-counter and prescription solutions to the symptoms of motion sickness. From Dramamine and Bonine to Marezine and Benadryl, you can’t run out of options. And regarding their usage, patients are supposed to take these medications an hour before embarking on a trip. And while all have been used traditionally to alleviate symptoms of motion sickness, there is a catch: all-cause drowsiness as a side effect, which means that those who work in stations that require ultimate attention should not take this medication.

CBD Oil: A Natural Remedy for Motion Sickness?

What makes CBD Oil a viable option and a natural remedy for motion sickness? Well, the most common over-the-counter medications for motion sickness are Dramamine and Benadryl. And whereas they have a fair success rate at alleviating this condition, the downside is they don’t come without side effects that include but are not limited to:

Drowsiness.
Dizziness.
Blurred vision.
Unstable coordination.
Irritability.

However, CBD oil happens to be a safe option to cure motion sickness and comes without side effects. This extract from the Cannabis Sativa plant has a remarkable ability to eliminate nausea and vomiting – the key symptoms of motion sickness.

CBD and Motion Sickness: What Researcher are Saying

A 2010 study on Motion Sickness was conducted by German scientists who tested volunteers’ blood samples before and after a parabolic flight maneuver. This type of flight simulation is quite challenging, even for highly trained astronauts. As such, many that undertook this activity experienced nausea and vomiting, with those that had lower levels of cannabinoids in their system becoming the sickest.

A 2014 study examined steroids that inhibit the production of inflammation-causing substances in the body. The study, conducted on mice, established that a reduction in motion sickness might occur if endocannabinoids are enhanced in the system.

Benefits of CBD Oil in the Treatment of Motion Sickness

CBD Oil has been proven to regulate serotonin receptors based in the brain responsible for the management of nausea. What CBD does is regulates the levels of hormone serotonin because an increase in it causes nausea.
CBD Oil has remarkable anti-nausea characteristics that render it effective at managing nausea – a notorious symptom of motion sickness. In this case, cannabidiol, in conjunction with the endocannabinoid system, play a crucial role in alleviating nausea and vomiting.
CBD Oil works to restore balance in the body when the endocannabinoid activity slows down – a key driver of motion sickness.

You should consider CBD Oil over OTC (over-the-counter) medications because consumers have ascertained that the extract is fast-acting and effective, especially when managing motion sickness symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Besides, OTC medication comes with severe side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness that consumers don’t usually experience with CBD oil.