How to Make Yourself Throw Up: 12 Safe Ways

Have you ever felt nauseous and need to vomit but not sure how to do it safely? We’ve all been there. Whether you’ve eaten something that doesn’t agree with you, or you’re trying to get rid of toxins, sometimes throwing up is the body’s natural way of finding relief. However, it’s crucial to induce vomiting safely to avoid complications. In this article, we’ll explore 12 safe ways to make yourself throw up without harming your body.

How to Make Yourself Throw Up

When Is It Okay to Make Yourself Throw Up?

Before reading this article, it’s important to note that vomiting should only be induced as a last resort.

In general, it’s best to let vomiting happen naturally. However, there are a few situations where inducing vomiting may be appropriate:

  • If you’ve ingested a poisonous or harmful substance and a poison control center advises you to induce vomiting
  • If you have a condition like gastroparesis that prevents your stomach from emptying properly
  • If you’re experiencing severe nausea and vomiting and your doctor recommends it as a way to find relief

When Not to Induce Vomiting

There are certain situations where inducing vomiting can be dangerous or even life-threatening, such as:

  • When you have ingested a corrosive substance like acid or bleach
  • When you have ingested sharp objects or batteries
  • When you are experiencing severe abdominal pain or cramping
  • When you have a history of eating disorders or are prone to self-harm

In these cases, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately and follow the guidance of a healthcare provider.

12 Natural Ways to Make Yourself Throw Up Safely

1. Using Your Finger

One of the most common methods to trigger the gag reflex is by using your finger. The gag reflex is a natural protective mechanism that helps prevent choking and the ingestion of harmful substances. By touching the back of your throat, you’re essentially tricking your body into thinking something is obstructing your airway.

How to use:

  • First, you need to cut your nails to avoid scratching your throat and causing wounds.
  • Then wash your hands with soap and clean water to avoid bacterial infection. If you have long hair, remember to tie them up.
  • Choose a suitable place to vomit such as a toilet, sink or disposable vomit bag.
  • Choose a comfortable posture, do not press your abdomen area. You can also sit in a comfortable position or kneel to help your body throw up.
  • Insert your middle and index fingers into your mouth, placing them over your tongue.
  • Move toward the back of your throat so you can touch the palatine uvula, the little thing that hands down from the back of the mouth’s palate.
  • Gently press your fingertips downward. You will soon feel stomach cramps and start vomiting.
  • This will make you feel nauseous. If you can not vomit, repeat this method a few times until you throw up.
  • Rinse your mouth and throat remover with warm water to remove odors and stomach acid.
  • Remember not to brush your teeth immediately after vomiting.

2. Warm Salt Water

Saline water is a natural and low-cost remedy to induce vomiting at home. It can also help treat a sore throat effectively.

Salt in sodium can disrupt your body’s natural electrolyte balance and induce you to expel the water. However, remember that you can only consume no more than 1.5 g or ¾ teaspoon of sodium per day. Also, this procedure is not recommended for people who are on a sodium-restricted diet.

How to use:

  • Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of salt and 16 ounces of warm water to a glass.
  • Stir it well until the salt is dissolved completely.
  • Drink the solution as quickly as possible and wait for about 20 to 30 minutes for the solution to work.
  • If it fails to work after 30 minutes, you can try a finger or toothbrush to speed up the process.

Note: Consuming more than 1.5 g of sodium can cause hypernatremia. This condition occurs when the sodium content is almost the same as the water level in the body. It causes neurons to shrink and may cause seizures and brain damage.

Toothbrush
Toothbrush

3. Using a Toothbrush

Have you ever experienced vomiting when your toothbrush touches your throat? Toothbrushes can be used to induce vomiting, not just brush your teeth. This method is especially helpful if you feel the finger method is disgusting.

To do this, you just need to trigger the gag reflex that induces you to throw up. First, make sure that your bristles are wet and rub them against the back of the tongue until you feel the need to gag. Repeat this process until you throw up. The rubbing action will induce the gag reflex and induce you to vomit quickly.

4. Sensory Stimulation

Because the body’s sensory stimulation reacts to certain situations in different ways, watching someone vomiting can make you feel nauseous and result in vomiting. The foul smell of someone’s vomit also activates your gag reflex and causes vomiting.

In this case, you will need to look for foods or objects that produce unpleasant smells to help you throw up quickly. You can try to smell rotten vegetables or fruits. Prolonged exposure to the foul scent will make you vomit.

If that does not help, you can watch videos of people vomiting online and put your finger in your mouth to help your body expel stomach contents.

5. Gargling with Egg Whites

While it might sound unpleasant, gargling with raw egg whites can trigger nausea in some people. The slimy texture and distinct odor of raw egg whites can be particularly nauseating for many people.

Additionally, the risk associated with consuming raw eggs (such as salmonella) might contribute to the psychological aspect of inducing nausea. However, it’s important to note that consuming raw eggs carries health risks and should be avoided.

Safety note: Due to the risk of salmonella, this method is not recommended. If you choose to try it, use pasteurized egg whites to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

6. 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 smells and sights and lead to nausea.

These conditions include puke, poop, phlegm, mucus, dead and decaying matter. The foul sight and smell can cause you nausea and vomiting fast.

If you know something that can cause you to vomit, just go for it. If this doesn’t work quickly, you can speed up this process by putting your hand in your mouth.

Caution: Be mindful of your surroundings when using this method. Avoid exposing others to unpleasant smells or sights in the process.

7. Mustard Solution

A mustard solution is an easy and effective homemade emetic. Mustard has natural emetic properties. The unpleasant sight, taste, and smell of the drink will make you nauseous and induce your vomiting quickly.

How to use:

  • Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of mustard into a glass of warm water.
  • Mix it thoroughly and drink this solution in one gulp.
  • Wait for about 20-30 minutes for the solution to produce results.
  • You need to drink this very quickly so that you can vomit easily.
  • Some people will vomit immediately after drinking, but it may not work for others.

Note: Mustard may seem like an ideal remedy but it cannot be taken in large doses, as mustard is rich in sodium which is not good for your health.

Baking Soda can be a Natural Deodorant
Baking Soda

8. Baking Soda

This is another easy method at home. Consuming a small amount of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) mixed with water can cause nausea and vomiting. Baking soda reacts with stomach acid to produce carbon dioxide gas.

This can lead to bloating, nausea, and vomiting. However, consuming too much baking soda can disrupt your body’s acid-base balance and lead to serious health issues. Always use this method sparingly and under guidance.

Baking soda dosage:

  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 4 ounces (120 ml) of water
  • Stir until dissolved and drink quickly

Warning: Never consume baking soda if you have high blood pressure, heart problems, or are on a sodium-restricted diet.

9. Coca-Cola Without Bubbles

Coca-Cola to make yourself throw up

Do you know that drinking Coca-Cola can also be used to induce nausea and vomiting? Coca-Cola is commonly used to treat an upset stomach. However, if it has run out of gas, it will make you feel sick and want to vomit. The high sugar content in Coca-Cola will stimulate your stomach and induce nausea.

To use this treatment, simply drink some Coca-Cola that has run out of bubbles every hour and drink some water as a follow-up. If the fresh Coca-Cola doesn’t work, you can try drinking some stale Coke instead.

To get rid of the bubbles of this drink, leave it unattended for a short while. The bubbles will disappear and it will be flat enough to induce vomiting. This is most effective if you feel that you are suffering from food poisoning. It can help purge the harmful substances from your stomach fast.

10. Ginger

While ginger is typically known for its anti-nausea properties. However, consuming excessive amounts can have the opposite effect.

The strong, spicy flavor and the high concentration of active compounds can irritate the stomach and potentially lead to vomiting. Always use ginger in moderation.

Preparation: Grate a large piece of fresh ginger (about 2 inches) and steep in hot water for 10-15 minutes to make a strong tea.

11. Just Think about Vomiting

This method sounds weird, but many people report it is useful. The power of self-suggestion will trigger nausea and induce 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 things that make you sick and nauseous. You can think about the sights, sounds smells 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. Motion Sickness

For some people, inducing motion sickness can lead to nausea and vomiting. This can be done by spinning in a circle or using a spinning chair, but be cautious to avoid injury.

Motion sickness occurs when there’s a mismatch between visual cues and the body’s sense of movement. This confusion can lead to nausea and vomiting. However, inducing motion sickness can be disorienting and potentially dangerous. So it should be approached with extreme caution.

Safety first: If attempting this method, ensure you’re in a safe environment free from objects you could hit while spinning. Have someone nearby to assist you if needed.

Stomach Pain after Eating
Stomach Pain after Eating

Possible risks of Making Yourself Throwing up

Self-induced vomiting can lead to several serious health risks, including:

  • Dental Damage: Stomach acid erodes tooth enamel, causing cavities and sensitivity.
  • Throat and Esophageal Injury: Repeated vomiting can tear the esophagus or cause it to rupture.
  • Electrolyte Imbalances: Loss of fluids can lead to low potassium levels, resulting in fatigue and heart issues.
  • Dehydration: Frequent vomiting can cause dizziness and headaches.
  • Digestive Problems: It may result in constipation, diarrhea, and long-term digestive issues.
  • Other Complications: Swollen salivary glands and calluses on knuckles may occur.

When to Seek Medical Help?

While the methods described above can be effective in certain situations, it’s crucial to know when professional medical help is necessary. Seek immediate medical attention if:

  • You’ve ingested a potentially life-threatening substance
  • You’re experiencing severe abdominal pain
  • Have signs of dehydration (dark urine, dizziness, dry mouth)
  • Vomiting persists for more than 24 hours
  • You see blood in your vomit
  • You’re unable to keep any fluids down
  • Have a high fever along with vomiting
  • You experience chest pain or difficulty breathing
  • Have a severe headache or stiff neck
  • You’re diabetic and having trouble controlling your blood sugar
  • You notice signs of electrolyte imbalance (muscle weakness, confusion, irregular heartbeat)
  • Have a history of eating disorders and find yourself frequently inducing vomiting

In most cases of suspected poisoning or ingestion of a harmful substance, it’s best to call poison control or seek medical attention immediately rather than trying to induce vomiting at home. Trained professionals can guide you on the safest course of action.

Other Common Questions

1. What is the safest method to induce vomiting?

The most commonly recommended method is to gently stimulate the back of the throat using a clean finger. This can trigger the gag reflex. However, ensure you are in a safe position, such as kneeling in front of a toilet, to avoid aspiration.

2. Can I use ipecac syrup to induce vomiting?

No, ipecac syrup is no longer recommended for inducing vomiting due to its potential side effects and the risk of complications. It is best to avoid using it unless specifically advised by a healthcare professional.

3. Is it safe to induce vomiting for non-emergency reasons, like after overeating?

Inducing vomiting for non-emergency reasons, such as after overeating or to lose weight, is not safe and can lead to serious health issues. If you’re struggling with these urges, consider seeking help from a healthcare professional or therapist.

4. How can I tell if I have a problem with vomiting?

If you find yourself frequently inducing vomiting or feeling compelled to do so after eating, it may indicate an eating disorder, such as bulimia. Signs include preoccupation with body image, binge eating, and using vomiting as a weight control method.

5. Are there alternatives to vomiting for feeling better after overeating?

Yes! Instead of inducing vomiting, try gentle methods to alleviate discomfort, such as walking, drinking herbal tea, or taking a warm bath. Focus on healthy eating habits and listen to your body’s hunger cues to avoid overeating in the future.