It’s not a pleasant topic, but sometimes, inducing vomiting can be necessary for our health. Whether it’s due to food poisoning or accidental ingestion of harmful substances, knowing how to make yourself throw up can come in handy.
However, note that inducing vomiting should only be done under specific circumstances and with caution. In this article, we’ll discuss the various methods of inducing vomiting, the precautions you should take, and when it’s necessary to seek medical attention.
While this topic may not be the most pleasant to read about, it’s important to have the knowledge and tools to take care of ourselves in emergency situations. So, let’s dive into the world of vomiting and learn how to do it safely and effectively.
Situations When You Need to Make Yourself Throw Up
1. Food Poisoning
If you experience symptoms of food poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, fever, or dehydration, you may need to make yourself throw up. This will help to remove any toxins from your system and can help to speed up the recovery process.
2. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
If you have consumed a large amount of alcohol, you may need to vomit in order to reduce the amount of alcohol in your system. Doing this may help to reduce the risk of alcohol poisoning.
3. Consuming Non-Food Items
If you have accidentally consumed a non-food item such as a small toy, battery, or other small objects, you should make yourself throw up in order to prevent the object from becoming stuck in your digestive system.
4. Drug Overdose
If you have accidentally taken an overdose of a drug, you may need to make yourself throw up in order to remove the excess from your system.
5. Motion Sickness
If you are experiencing severe motion sickness, you may need to vomit in order to relieve the symptoms.
12 Easy Ways to Make Yourself Throw Up Naturally
1. Fingers Down Your Throat
This is the most common method to make yourself throw up. Moreover, this method is quite simple to implement. Just insert one of your fingers into the mouth, and push it down to the throat.
When your finger reaches the throat, you will feel gagging. This gagging feeling will make you vomit and empty all the contents of your stomach. If you don’t vomit immediately, you can repeat this process till you puke. However, before using this method, you must ensure that your fingers are clean.
Ensure that your nails are trimmed short because long nails may cause an injury to your throat or mouth. Furthermore, don’t use this method if you’ve worn a ring on your finger or if you have applied nail polish to your nails.
Since this method is relatively easy, many people utilize it to make themselves throw up. However, some people may find this method disgusting; such people will always look for alternative ways to puke.
2. Utilize a Toothbrush
You can opt for a toothbrush if you don’t want to use the fingers down the throat method. Just take your toothbrush and insert its head into the back end of your mouth until you feel like gagging.
If you don’t vomit the first time, you can repeat this method till you vomit. You should make sure that you thoroughly clean your toothbrush before inserting it into your mouth.
3. Mustard Water Solution
When you drink mustard water solution, you will cause an imbalance in the pH levels of your body system. Mustard is rich in sodium, and when you introduce large amounts of sodium to your bloodstream, you will feel nauseated, and you may vomit quickly.
To use this method, take two spoonfuls of mustard and dissolve it in one glass of water. Then drink the mustard-water mixture in one gulp. When using this method, pay due regard not to consume large amounts of mustard since high amounts of sodium may cause you some adverse health effects.
4. Hot or Warm Salted Water
Like mustard, salt can cause an electrolyte imbalance in your body and help make you throw up quickly. Take two spoonfuls of table salt, dissolve them in a warm or hot water glass, and then drink the saline solution in our gulp.
Of course, you may have that unpleasant, bitter taste in your mouth after drinking the salty solution. But this method is quite effective. Using this method, you may vomit after 25 – 30 minutes.
However, if you want to vomit more quickly, you can insert your finger deep down your throat after using this method. This way, you will vomit within two seconds after taking the saline solution.
5. Gargle with Egg Whites
Of course, you may not want to gargle with egg whites that may appear runny, slimy, and snot-like. Gargling with egg whites may seem quite disgusting, but it is one of the quickest methods you can use to make yourself throw up.
Just take a handful of egg whites and gargle them. When you use this method, you will be irritated by the funky smell of the egg whites, and you will throw up instantly.
6. Drink De-carbonated Coca-Cola
Just like mustard and table salt, de-carbonated Coca-Cola can affect the electrolyte levels of your bloodstream and make you throw up instantly. Coca-Cola is a widely known soda brand that is manufactured with carbon dioxide. To throw up, you should take Coca-Cola, which is de-carbonated.
You should drink this sugary syrup after every thirty minutes. You can also take a large glass of water in addition to Coca-Cola at the time when you want to vomit. This way, you will throw up immediately. Also, you should always go for sugary Coca-Cola brands such as Fanta.
7. Use Bloodroot Herbs to Make Yourself Throw Up
Most native Americans utilized the bloodroot herb as medicine for fever and cancer and as a drug to induce vomit. To vomit after using this method, take two spoonfuls of bloodroot herb and dissolve them in water. Then, boil the bloodroot herb-water mixture for at least twenty minutes.
After boiling the mixture, drain it and take the bloodroot herb water solution when it is still warm. However, the bloodroot herb can be poisonous, so you should only use it in small quantities. Also, you can buy the medically moderated version of the bloodroot herb from the chemist.
Make sure you consult your doctor for medical advice before using this method to induce yourself to vomit. Also, breastfeeding and pregnant women should not utilize this method to make themselves throw up.
If you are at home, one simple way to induce vomiting is by consuming apple cider vinegar. This treatment is an excellent remedy if you suspect you have ingested rotten or contaminated food. The strong scent of organic apple cider vinegar can make you feel nauseous and help you throw up immediately.
To use this treatment, consume one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. The strong taste and scent of it will make you vomit instantly. This solution will also help clean your body as it can combat bacteria and other unwanted pathogens, thanks to its acidic properties.
9. Overeat food
If you are a foodie, you will use this method to make yourself puke. However, this method is not entirely practical.
To succeed with this method, consider starting to overeat starchy foods first. Then, you can top up your already filled-up stomach with vegetables and fruits. When you utilize this method, you should expect to vomit within one hour after overfeeding.
You can combine this method with the other nine methods to vomit much more quickly and easily. However, don’t overfeed junk and oily foods. Overeating junk and fried foods will only bring you diarrhea, abdominal pain, and stomach discomfort.
10. Expose Yourself to Unpleasant Sights and Smells
When you expose yourself to unpleasant smells and sights, the neurons in your brain will react to unpleasant odors and sights, leading to nausea.
These conditions include puke, poop, phlegm, mucus, and dead and decaying matter. The foul sight and smell can cause you nausea and vomiting fast.
If you know something that can make you throw up quickly, go for it. If this doesn’t work soon, you can speed up this process by putting your hand in your mouth.
11. Think about Vomiting
This method sounds weird, but many people report it is useful. The power of self-suggestion will trigger nausea and induces vomiting. Just thinking about vomiting can activate your gag reflex.
Look for a place where you can vomit comfortably, such as a toilet or bucket. Kneel or sit down. Make sure that you are not pressing your abdominal area. Focus your thoughts on the thing that makes you sick and nauseous. You can think about the sights, sounds smell of disgusting food or medicine you have eaten.
This method works for many people, but it does not prove that it works for every people. If it is difficult to focus your mind, you can try other methods.
12. Use Medicines to Make Yourself Throw Up
Medicines mainly used to induce an individual to throw up are referred to as emetics. Typically, these emetics are available to almost all local chemists. The most popular type of emetics is Ipecac Syrup.
The best way to take Ipecac is to dissolve it in a glass of water and drink the Ipecac-water solution. You should expect to vomit within 30 minutes immediately after taking the Ipecac syrup.
If you can not make yourself throw up within this time, you can repeat the dosage. If repeating the dosage fails to make you puke, you should consult your doctor for medical advice.
However, most emetics have side effects, such as reduced blood pressure levels, light-headedness, shortness of breath, and heart-related problems. Moreover, breastfeeding and pregnant women are restricted from taking emetics. Also, children below 12 years old are not supposed to take emetics.
What You Should Do After Throwing Up
You may lose a lot of minerals and water when you throw up. Furthermore, you may experience adverse side effects such as itchy throats and abdominal discomfort. Also, you may be fatigued after vomiting. Here is what you should do after throwing up to regain your health.
1. Hydrate Yourself
After vomiting, you may feel dehydrated because you lost a lot of water. To compensate for this lost water, you should take plenty of mineral water and fresh juice after vomiting. However, you should avoid drinks like coffee, tea, and carbonated and canned juices after throwing up.
2. Clean Up
After vomiting, many remnants of partially digested food will be stuck up in your throat or between your teeth. You must remove these remnants to prevent all possible bacterial infections. Also, some stomach acids may have remained inside your mouth after vomiting.
Therefore, brushing your teeth and taking water is not enough to eliminate these remnants and stomach acids. You should gargle with salty water or plain water so your mouth can be well cleaned.
However, don’t brush your teeth immediately after puking. When you brush your teeth immediately after vomiting, the stomach acids in your mouth will erode your teeth’ enamel. Also, it would help if you cleaned up the place where you have puked to prevent contamination.
3. Compensate For the Lost Nutrients
It would help if you compensated for the lost nutrients after throwing up. Most doctors advise that you take at least two ripe bananas immediately after vomiting to make up for the lost nutrients. This way, you will get enough carbs and vitamins to last until you have a decent meal.
Possible risks of making yourself throw up
Making yourself throw up is a dangerous behavior that may lead to serious health issues.
One of the primary risks of making yourself throw up is dehydration. When you induce vomiting, you expel fluids and electrolytes that your body needs to function properly. Over time, this can cause dehydration and other issues like kidney failure and seizures.
Another risk of making yourself throw up is damage to your esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach. When you induce vomiting, you put pressure on the esophagus, which can cause tears, ulcers, and irritation.
The stomach acid that is expelled during vomiting can also erode enamel and cause cavities, discoloration, and other damage.
Finally, making yourself throw up can lead to an unhealthy cycle of purging. It can become a habit, and the associated guilt, shame, and body image issues can lead to depression and other mental health issues.
When to Avoid Vomiting
You should only vomit to eliminate a harmful substance from your body system. Don’t use vomiting as a method to clean your stomach regularly. Also, before you make yourself throw up, you must always consult with your doctor. Here is when to avoid vomiting;
1. When you Have Ingested Acidic Chemicals and Sharp Objects
If you have accidentally taken acidic chemicals, don’t force yourself to throw up in a bid to get rid of them from your body system. These acidic chemicals include detergents, bleach, paint thinners, and solvents.
When you make yourself throw up after taking acidic chemicals, these chemicals may corrode the inner lining of your mouth, throat, and gut. In such a situation, you should rush to the nearest hospital for help.
Also, don’t make yourself vomit if you have ingested sharp objects such as rings, coins, toys, or buttons. Such things can easily scratch your gut or block your airways.
2. When Your Child Has Swallowed Something Poisonous
It is not prudent to force your child to vomit without being given the go-ahead by your doctor. Typically, children below 12 years old have a weak immune system. These kids may not be able to cope with the adverse side effects after being forced to vomit.
Also, when your child has swallowed some coins, pebbles, or small toys, you shouldn’t force them to vomit. When you force your child to vomit in such a situation, these small substances may block your child’s airways and cause them to have breathing difficulties.
3. Throwing Up as a Weight Loss Method
Some people may decide to force themselves to throw up so that they can lose weight. Such people usually overeat and then attempt to get rid of the excess food through vomiting.
However, this method is not a healthy practice and can result in severe eating disorders and some long-term negative emotional side effects. Also, this method will not help you lose weight.
People who use throwing up as a weight-loss method develop an eating disorder called Bulimia Nervosa. This eating disorder will make you practice binge eating, excessive exercise, and unnecessary fasting. Also, Bulimia Nervosa may cause you to have low self-esteem and indulge in hard drugs, diuretics, and laxatives.
Signs of Danger – See Your Doctor if You Experience:
- Dizziness and nausea for more than a few days
- Persistent vomiting and with blood in your vomit
- Signs of dehydration, such as increased thirst and very little or dark urine
- Fever higher than 38 C (100 F)
- A stiff neck or a severe headache
- Confusion and lethargy or severe abdominal pain
Conclusion
When you practice self-induced vomiting frequently, your body may become prone to it. Therefore, you should use these methods of throwing up cautiously.
Forcing yourself to vomit may help you feel better after ingesting excessive alcohol, food, or a harmful substance. However, you should only force yourself to throw up as a last resort; and after you have consulted your physician.
