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Some people wish to induce vomiting to relieve nausea from illness or substances. Others induce it if they think they overate — this is a sign of an eating disorder. Eating disorders can severely affect the quality of life of people living with these conditions and those close to them. Early intervention and treatment greatly improve the likelihood of recovery. Anyone who suspects that they or a loved one has an eating disorder can contact the National Eating Disorder Association for advice and support via:phone or text at 800-931-2237online chat, by going to this link These services are only open during specific hours. Someone in crisis can text “NEDA” to 741741 at any time to get support from a trained volunteer at Crisis Text Line. Alternatively, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) run a Disaster Distress Helpline that people can contact on 800-985-5990 for 24-7 support. Many other resources are available, including:National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated DisordersThe Alliance for Eating Disorder AwarenessF.E.A.S.T., who provide support and educational resources to friends and family who want to help someone living with an eating disorder However, vomiting carries risks. In particular, it is not safe to induce vomiting to prevent or treat poisoning. People used to induce vomiting in children who swallowed poison. Parents and caregivers should not gag children or give them ipecac syrup when they suspect poisoning or believe that the child ate rotten food. Instead, they should go to the emergency room or contact a poison control center. Research suggests that inducing vomiting may delay or reduce the effectiveness of treatment. Additionally, vomiting after consuming certain poisons can increase the risk of serious complications. In this article, learn more about the safety and risks of inducing vomiting. How to induce vomiting Vomiting is usually induced by triggering the gag reflex using the fingers or another object. A person typically washes their hands thoroughly and positions themselves in front of a toilet or sink. The index and middle fingers are inserted into the throat to trigger the gag reflex, which causes gagging, followed by vomiting. Some research indicates that drinking water before vomiting may help prevent tooth damage associated with vomiting. It is also best to rinse or gargle with water and avoid brushing the teeth immediately after vomiting, as this could worsen damage. However, keep in mind that a person should not induce vomiting unless directed by a doctor, as it can be dangerous and may cause serious side effects. When to induce vomiting There are several reasons why a person may want to induce vomiting. Some of the most common reasons include:after consuming something harmful or poisonouswhen feeling sick or nauseousdue to feelings of shame, self-loathing, or guilt after eating, which is a sign of an eating disorder But it is important to remember that a person should not induce vomiting unless instructed by a doctor. Self-induced vomiting may be associated with potential risks, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and damage to the throat, teeth, or gums. Safety and risks It is not safe to induce vomiting to treat poisoning. When a person vomits some poisons, such as acids, this increases the risk of burns and other injuries to the esophagus, throat, and mouth. In addition to poisoning, there might be other scenarios in which a person wants to induce vomiting. For instance, they may have an eating disorder or feel nauseated due to a stomach virus. Vomiting always carries risks, and there is no medical reason for a person to induce vomiting just because they feel nauseated. Vomiting also does not fully empty the stomach. Even if a person can safely vomit, vomiting will not remove the full dose of poison or the other contents of the stomach. Drugs such as ipecac syrup can decrease the effectiveness of other poisoning treatments, such as activated charcoal. The use of these drugs may also cause a person to delay getting treatment, especially if vomiting temporarily alleviates nausea. Some emetics — drugs to induce vomiting — can themselves be poisonous. Sodium chloride, for example, can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances. It is also lethal at doses of 3 grams per kilogram of body weight and above. A 2013 position paper update emphasized that ipecac syrup may be appropriate in some rare poisoning cases. However, it is not safe to administer it without a doctor’s supervision. Some risks of vomiting include:dehydrationmalnourishmentelectrolyte imbalances that may damage the heart and other organsdamage to the teeth and gumsinjury to the throat or esophaguspancreatitis, a dangerous swelling of the pancreas What to do to alleviate nausea The right treatment for nausea depends on the cause. People who feel nauseated because of a stomach virus may find relief by avoiding food until the vomiting stops. They can try drinking small quantities of water or an electrolyte drink, and then gradually begin eating as their symptoms improve. It is best to start with bland, easily digestible foods, such as unbuttered toast. Some other strategies that may help with nausea, including nausea from cancer, pregnancy, and illnesses, include:eating small meals throughout the day because some people feel nauseated when their stomachs are emptysucking on ginger or peppermint hard candiesidentifying and avoiding triggers for nausea, as some people find that specific smells or food textures make them feel sicksitting upright for an hour after eating Prolonged vomiting can cause serious and even life threatening complications, so it is important to tell a doctor about any vomiting that lasts longer than a few days. In many cases, a doctor may be able to prescribe an antiemetic drug, which can reduce nausea and vomiting. A person who feels nauseated after drinking poison or another harmful substance should not try to treat the nausea. Reducing nausea will not reverse poisoning. It is essential to get emergency medical care instead. What to do to treat poisoning Anyone who thinks that they or a child might have swallowed something harmful should get immediate medical care by contacting a local poison control center or going to the emergency room. The more information that a person can provide about the poisoning, the easier it will be for a doctor to treat them. The following strategies can improve treatment outcomes:keeping the bottle of the suspected poison to show the doctorwriting down approximately how much the person swallowed, if possiblelogging anything else that the person recently ate or drankpreparing to list any medications that the person takes How to get help for an eating disorder People who feel compelled to vomit because of shame, self-loathing, or fears about weight gain may have a condition called bulimia nervosa. Some people with eating disorders fear stigma or judgment, but eating disorders are treatable medical conditions. People can talk with a trusted loved one and ask a doctor for support. Treatment can include:medical care to cope with the health effects of bulimianutritional counseling to help a person eat a balanced diettherapy to deal with underlying self-esteem and mental health concernsfamily support, such as family counselingeducation about eating disordersparticipation in a support group Some people find inpatient treatment the most beneficial approach because it offers comprehensive care in a safe environment. For people who do not want inpatient care or cannot take time off work or school, therapy and medical management often work well. Eating disorders can often involve higher deaths than most other mental health conditions. According to a 2020 research review, the risk of premature death was two times higher for people who received treatment for bulimia nervosa compared with the general population. It is important to know that getting treatment for an eating disorder can be lifesaving. Summary There is no medical reason to induce vomiting without guidance from a doctor. Inducing vomiting without a compelling medical reason and a doctor’s supervision can be dangerous. In some cases, it may even make the effects of poisoning or an underlying medical condition worse. People concerned about nausea should ask a doctor about treatment options. People who believe that they ate something poisonous need to get immediate emergency care. Frequently asked questions Last medically reviewed on April 19, 2022Eating DisordersMental HealthAlcohol / Addiction / Illegal DrugsGastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Benzoni, T., (2021). Ipecac.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448075/Forney, KJ., (2016). The medical complications associated with purging.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4803618/Hšjer, J., (2013). Position paper update: Ipecac syrup for gastrointestinal decontamination [Abstract].https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15563650.2013.770153?journalCode=ictx20If you suspect a poisoning...act fast! (n.d.).https://www.poison.org/actfast Jain, A., . (2021). Bulimia nervosa.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562178/Nausea and vomiting. (n.d.).https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/nausea-and-vomiting.htmlSivakumar, S., . (2021). Physiology, gag reflex.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554502/Sodium chloride. (2022).https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sodium-chloridevan Hoeken, D., (2020). Review of the burden of eating disorders: Mortality, disability, costs, quality of life, and family burden.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7575017/Vomiting and your health [Fact sheet]. (2018).https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/-/media/CCI/Mental-Health-Professionals/Eating-Disorders/Eating-Disorders---Information-Sheets/Eating-Disorders-Information-Sheet---30---Vomiting-and-Your-Health.pdf/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Rachael Link, MS, RD — Updated on April 19, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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