body
Nausea
Adverse effectNausea is an unwanted, body-related effect rather than a desired outcome. It describes a feeling of sickness or discomfort associated with an intervention and may be reported when an intervention is considered to cause this effect.
Nausea is classified as a body-related effect.
These are research findings, not promises. Most options have little evidence, and results differ from person to person.
What can cause it
How likely each one is to cause it, most likely first.
FastingpracticePossible
Based on 9 studies. Strongest study: a pooled analysis of several trials.
Pooled analyses whose designs were not recorded reported nausea in fasting studies; one analysis concerned people with ulcerative colitis. The findings do not quantify how often it occurred.
Open the Fasting pageMeditationpracticePossible
Based on 2 studies. Strongest study: a pooled analysis of several trials.
Pooled analyses whose designs were not recorded reported nausea alongside headache, irritability, and weight gain. Another pooled analysis whose design was not recorded reported motion sickness.
Open the Meditation pageCoffee EnemapracticePossible
Based on 3 studies. Strongest study: a systematic review of studies.
A 2020 systematic review noted nausea and abdominal inflation in studies involving people with breast cancer, gallstones, and osteoarthritis.
Open the Coffee Enema pageNasal Irrigation (Neti Pot)practicePossible
Based on 3 studies. Strongest study: a systematic review of studies.
Reviews pooling randomized and non-randomized human studies listed nausea among reported symptoms; one also included epigastric pain, nasal irritation and ear fullness. The findings do not quantify how often nausea occurred.
Open the Nasal Irrigation (Neti Pot) pageHot YogapracticePossible
Based on 3 studies. Strongest study: a one-time survey study.
Cross-sectional studies in 2017 and 2016 reported nausea in samples of 700 and 157, respectively.
Open the Hot Yoga pageAcupuncturepracticeUnclear
Based on 16 studies. Strongest study: a pooled analysis of several trials.
Pooled analyses of randomized trials reported nausea, including as part of gastrointestinal symptoms that also involved vomiting, in studies of people with varied clinical conditions.
Open the Acupuncture pageHigh-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)practiceUnclear
Based on 5 studies. Strongest study: a pooled analysis of several trials.
A pooled analysis of randomized trials reported nausea and vomiting immediately after training sessions during weeks 1-4; these symptoms resolved spontaneously. Other pooled findings also listed nausea or vomiting alongside knee swelling, a medial collateral ligament tear, and uncontrolled heart rate.
Open the High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) pageTENS / EMS TherapypracticeUnclear
Based on 4 studies. Strongest study: a pooled analysis of several trials.
A 2017 pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded noted nausea. A 2026 randomized trial also recorded nausea with TENS in 384 participants; the clinical evidence cited here includes people with back pain.
Open the TENS / EMS Therapy page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What can cause it
Interventions reported to bring this on40 listedHighest probability
- →PracticesFastingCertaintyMediumSourceClinical9 other sources
Pooled analyses whose designs were not recorded reported nausea in fasting studies; one analysis concerned people with ulcerative colitis. The findings do not quantify how often it occurred.
- →PracticesMeditationCertaintyMediumSourceClinical2 other sources
Pooled analyses whose designs were not recorded reported nausea alongside headache, irritability, and weight gain. Another pooled analysis whose design was not recorded reported motion sickness.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open MeditationStudy result
nausea, headache, irritability, weight gain
- →PracticesCoffee EnemaCertaintyMediumSourceClinical3 other sources
A 2020 systematic review noted nausea and abdominal inflation in studies involving people with breast cancer, gallstones, and osteoarthritis.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Breast Cancer
- Gallstones
- Osteoarthritis
Open Coffee EnemaStudy result
nausea and abdominal inflation
- →PracticesNasal Irrigation (Neti Pot)CertaintyMediumSourceClinical3 other sources
Reviews pooling randomized and non-randomized human studies listed nausea among reported symptoms; one also included epigastric pain, nasal irritation and ear fullness. The findings do not quantify how often nausea occurred.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open Nasal Irrigation (Neti Pot)Study result
Ear fullness, epistaxis, nasal irritation, epigastric pain, nausea
- →PracticesHot YogaCertaintyMediumSourceClinical3 other sources
Cross-sectional studies in 2017 and 2016 reported nausea in samples of 700 and 157, respectively.
Low probability(34)(2)(32)
- →PracticesAcupunctureCertaintyLowSourceClinical16 other sources
Pooled analyses of randomized trials reported nausea, including as part of gastrointestinal symptoms that also involved vomiting, in studies of people with varied clinical conditions.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Addiction Drugs
- Alzheimers Disease
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Depression
- Female Infertility
- Fibromyalgia
- +3 more
Open AcupunctureStudy result
gastrointestinal dysfunction (nausea and vomiting)
- →PracticesHigh-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)CertaintyLowSourceClinical5 other sources
A pooled analysis of randomized trials reported nausea and vomiting immediately after training sessions during weeks 1-4; these symptoms resolved spontaneously. Other pooled findings also listed nausea or vomiting alongside knee swelling, a medial collateral ligament tear, and uncontrolled heart rate.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Elderly
- Stroke
Open High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)Study result
Nausea/vomiting, knee swelling/medial collateral ligament tear, uncontrolled HR
- →PracticesTENS / EMS TherapyCertaintyLowSourceClinical4 other sources
A 2017 pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded noted nausea. A 2026 randomized trial also recorded nausea with TENS in 384 participants; the clinical evidence cited here includes people with back pain.
- →PracticesOzone TherapyCertaintyLowSourceClinical4 other sources
A 2024 review pooling randomized and non-randomized human studies reported nausea and vomiting. In a 2021 trial involving 178 people with Oral Lichen Planus, transient nausea and mild headache were reported.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Oral Lichen Planus
Open Ozone TherapyStudy result
Nausea and vomiting
- →PracticesCupping TherapyCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A 2024 pooled analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies reported nausea, as did a 2023 pooled analysis of randomized trials. The studies involved people with migraine or obesity.
- →PracticesTai ChiCertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded listed nausea and motion sickness among reported effects during Tai Chi practice.
- →PracticesMassageCertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
Pooled analyses whose designs were not recorded reported nausea in a clinical-condition context.
- →PracticesTranscendental MeditationCertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
A 2025 pooled analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies included nausea among the reported effects.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open Transcendental MeditationStudy result
nausea, headache, irritability, weight gain
- →PracticesOil PullingCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A 2025 randomized controlled trial involving 40 participants recorded an urge to gag.
- →PracticesHot BathCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A randomized trial involving 20 healthy participants in 2021 recorded nausea.
- →PracticesAnusara YogaCertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
A 2026 systematic review of observational studies classified reported events as nasopharyngeal or gastrointestinal adverse events, without specifying whether nausea was reported.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open Anusara YogaStudy result
nasopharyngeal/gastrointestinal adverse events
- →PracticesBreathworkCertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
A 2025 trial of 126 people assessed motion-sickness scores during 360-degree VR and MindGym experiences; the reported finding does not give the direction of change.
Open BreathworkStudy result
Motion sickness (MSAQ) scores during 360-degree VR and MindGym experiences
- →PracticesInfrared SaunaCertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
A 2025 randomized trial involving 30 people with Major Depressive Disorder recorded nausea.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Major Depressive Disorder
Open Infrared SaunaStudy result
Nausea
- →PracticesFinnish SaunaCertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
A 2025 cross-sectional study involving 384 people recorded nausea.
- →PracticesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)CertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
A pilot study involving people with Breast Cancer or Prostate Cancer reported nausea and vomiting scores of β = 1.11 [0.45; 1.78], p=0.001 on the EORTC QLQ-C30 (40 participants).
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Breast Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
Open Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Study result
Nausea et vomiting β = 1.11 [0.45; 1.78], p=0.001 (EORTC QLQ-C30).
- →PracticesMobility TrainingCertaintyLowSourceClinical1 other source
A pilot study involving 17 people with Parkinson’s disease reported nausea-related simulator sickness symptoms in two patients on Day 2.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Parkinsons Disease
Open Mobility TrainingStudy result
Simulator sickness symptoms (nausea-related) in two patients with PD on Day 2
- →PracticesTabata TrainingCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge2 other sources
Transient nausea can occur during or shortly after near-maximal intervals.
- →PracticesBlack SalveCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge1 other source
Nausea may occur if toxic bloodroot alkaloids are absorbed systemically, especially when the salve is applied over large areas or damaged skin.
Open Black SalveStudy result
Nausea can occur with systemic absorption of toxic bloodroot alkaloids, especially after application over large areas or damaged skin.
- →PracticesCalisthenicsCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge1 other source
A pharmacology reference notes that hard bodyweight exercise, such as burpees, jump squats or fast circuits, can send blood away from the gut and cause nausea, particularly right after a meal or in people new to hard exercise.
Open CalisthenicsStudy result
Hard bodyweight exercise such as burpees, jump squats or fast circuits sends blood away from the gut, which can cause nausea, more often right after a meal or in people new to hard exercise.
- →PracticesChelation Therapy (Non-Medical)CertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge1 other source
Gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, is common with chelation therapy.
Open Chelation Therapy (Non-Medical)Study result
Gastrointestinal upset including nausea is common with chelation therapy.
- →PracticesFocused Attention MeditationCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge1 other source
Close attention to the breath can lead to over-breathing, and the practice may stir up anxiety; either can cause brief nausea, which meditator surveys list among short-lived unwanted effects.
Open Focused Attention MeditationStudy result
Close focus on the breath can lead to over-breathing, and the practice can stir up anxiety; both can cause brief nausea, which meditator surveys list among short-lived unwanted effects.
- →PracticesStrength TrainingCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge1 other source
Very intense sets can reduce blood flow to the gut and bring on nausea during or just after a hard session, especially on a full stomach.
Open Strength TrainingStudy result
Very intense sets cut blood flow to the gut and can bring on nausea during or right after a hard session, especially on a full stomach.
- →PracticesBinaural BeatsCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal2 other sources
Rare reports of mild nausea, potentially linked to overstimulation of the autonomic nervous system during prolonged theta/delta sessions.
- →SupplementsSea Moss (Irish Moss)CertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal2 other sources
Some users report nausea after consuming sea moss gel, possibly due to its high mineral content or carrageenan-induced gastric irritation.
- →PracticesSwedish (Classic) MassageCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal2 other sources
Some clients report transient nausea post-massage, possibly due to rapid release of metabolic byproducts or vagal stimulation.
- →SupplementsChagaCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 4 of 229 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesCoherent BreathingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
Rarely reported, possibly due to visceral stimulation from diaphragmatic movement or vagal activation.
- →PracticesHatha YogaCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 2 of 279 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesIV Vitamin DripCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
Nausea can occur, especially with rapid infusion of certain vitamins like B complex.
- →PracticesIndoor RowingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 242 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesTongue ScrapingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
Scraping the posterior tongue may trigger the gag reflex, leading to transient nausea.
- →PracticesVinyasa YogaCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 312 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesLatin Dance FitnessCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 218 Reddit reports discussing it.
Very low probability(1)(1)(0)
- →SupplementsTurkey TailCertaintyVery lowSourceTheoreticalModerate effect2 other sources
Nausea has been reported during oral use of standardized PSK or PSP preparations. It was mentioned in 3 of 232 Reddit reports discussing it.
How big is the effect
Moderate effectA clear difference on average.
Open Turkey TailWho was studied
- People with a condition
- Colon Cancer
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Nausea is an unwanted, body-related effect rather than a desired outcome. It describes a feeling of sickness or discomfort associated with an intervention and may be reported when an intervention is considered to cause this effect. Examples include Vitamin B9 (Folate), Berberine, Zinc, and Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA), although the likelihood and supporting evidence differ between interventions.
How interventions help
For nausea, the interventions represented here are potential contributors rather than ways to relieve the symptom. The patterns suggest several broad routes: direct gastrointestinal intolerance, irritation, acidity, delayed gastric emptying, caffeine exposure, dehydration, and nicotine exposure. These routes are not interchangeable, so the circumstances surrounding use matter as much as the intervention itself.
Some contributors are associated with oral gastrointestinal effects. Berberine has been studied over a continuous 12-week course, while other findings involve acute treatment or longer exposure. This means nausea may be reported across different time frames rather than only after a single use. For Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA), the reported exposure lasted 2 years, whereas Zinc findings came from acute treatment with dosing varied by study. Magnesium was examined with an IV bolus plus infusion, with doses varied across studies.
The practical context also differs by intervention. Apple Cider Vinegar may provoke nausea through acidity and delayed gastric emptying. Chlorella is described in connection with mild gastrointestinal intolerance, while Coffee Enema may involve rectal irritation, cramping, caffeine exposure, or developing dehydration. Nausea after Ozone Therapy is especially associated with rectal or intravenous administration. Cigarette Smoking is more likely to cause it in new users, after unusually strong cigarettes, or with rapid repeated smoking.
Most findings were not tied to a specified health status, while the Magnesium evidence concerned a clinical condition. The relevance of these observations can therefore depend on the person, route of administration, and exposure pattern.
Choosing guidance
For nausea, the listed options are best compared by the kind of evidence behind the association, the exposure used, and how closely the study population matches the person considering the option. Clinical studies and meta-analyses provide a different basis for judgment than pharmacology references, anecdotal reports, or theoretical explanations. The latter may help identify a possible concern, but they do not establish how often nausea occurs in people using the option.
Dose and timing also matter. Some findings involve acute treatment, while others follow use over weeks or years; nausea observed after a large or intensive exposure may not represent the experience of routine use. When comparing options, check whether the study exposure resembles the intended amount and duration rather than treating every mention of nausea as equivalent. Evidence linked to a specific administration route or circumstance may also have limited relevance to other forms of use.
Applicability is uneven because the health status is not specified for many entries. Findings from people with a clinical condition or from healthy participants may not transfer directly to everyone else. If studies disagree, regard the association as unsettled and give greater attention to the direction, design, and population of the studies rather than relying on a single result. Options supported mainly by anecdotal, theoretical, or reference-based information are better viewed as possibilities to monitor, whereas options examined in clinical research allow a more direct assessment of nausea risk, though they still do not predict an individual response.