“I’m a nurse, and this is the best little-known way I’ve found to relieve nausea without drugs.”

EDo you ever feel nauseous and reach for a ginger ale or crackers? Both sound appealing, but nurses have an old hack that may be even more effective. It’s like smelling rubbing alcohol. It may come as a surprise, but the smell of alcohol often reduces nausea and has been used as a quick-fix solution for nausea for generations. In fact, it turns out that its strong scent has a miraculous effect on soothing an upset stomach.

Curious how the smell of something so sharp can help? Learn more about this little-known nausea treatment and why it’s still the go-to for many nurses.

Why sniffing rubbing alcohol makes you feel nauseous

It may be the first time you (or us) have heard of it, but this nauseating hack is nothing new. “Isopropyl alcohol was originally used as a South American folk remedy for nausea,” Jennifer Shepherd, DNP, MHA, RN, director of nursing education and product management at the American Nurses Association, told Well+Good. I’ll tell you.

More recently, a study found that this hack is “effective in the following cases.” reduce the severity of nausea1 was reduced by more than 50 percent and improved in a shorter period of time compared to anti-nausea drugs such as ondansetron and promethazine,” Shepherd said. The study, published in a Cochrane review in 2018, also found that people who sniffed isopropyl alcohol needed less medication to treat postoperative nausea.

It’s not entirely clear why sniffing rubbing alcohol is effective or why it only works for some people. However, medical experts have several theories. The first one is simple. “It’s a distraction,” says Liesel Teen BSN, RN, a labor and delivery nurse and host of the podcast “The Mommy Labor Nurse.” She added that sniffing rubbing alcohol can temporarily relieve nausea. But there is also a biological aspect. Strong, sharp smells stimulate the olfactory nerve (which controls smell), which blocks the brain’s nausea pathway, Shepard says.

Another theory has to do with the evaporation rate of rubbing alcohol. It provides a cooling sensation in the nasal passages and can relieve nausea in some people, Teen says. Controlling your breathing may also be effective. Sometimes, nausea and irregular breathing go hand in hand, so sniffing alcohol can “reset” your senses and slow your breathing, she says.

This method is very useful if you need immediate relief from nausea. According to Shepherd and Teen, possible symptoms include:

That said, this tip may not be useful or recommended for certain people, including:

Pregnant women: “Some people may find relief, but others may be more sensitive to strong odors, which can make nausea worse,” Shepard says. People with chronic medical conditions, such as gastroparesis or severe gastrointestinal disorders: For nausea related to these medical issues, more comprehensive treatment is likely needed, Shepherd says. People with respiratory illnesses: Strong smoke can be irritating, Shepard said. Children: There is less research on whether inhaling rubbing alcohol helps with nausea in children. That means it’s unclear whether it’s effective or safe for them, Teen says.

Also worth noting: Sniffing rubbing alcohol beforehand (i.e., before a road trip or surgery) won’t prevent nausea from hitting you afterwards, teens say.

Is it safe?

For the most part, “sniffing isopropyl alcohol is generally considered safe in occasional small doses,” Shepherd says. That being said, there are potential risks, especially if you do it for a long time or frequently, she says.

According to Shepherd, long-term or repeated exposure to isopropyl alcohol can irritate the nasal passages and respiratory system. Inhaling too much can cause dizziness or lightheadedness, and the strong smell can cause headaches in some people. It also may not be a good idea for people who have dealt with inhaler misuse issues.

“Inhalant drug use is similar to other substance use disorders because it directly stimulates the brain’s reward system, leading to compulsive use and potential addiction,” Shepherd says.

There’s also limited research on sniffing alcohol in children and pregnant people, so it’s difficult to tell whether this nauseating hack is safe for them, Teen says. If you are unsure, ask your doctor for advice or alternatives to anti-nausea medications.

How to smell rubbing alcohol to relieve nausea

Sniffing rubbing alcohol when you feel dizzy is usually safe for most people as long as you take some precautions. If you want to try it, here’s how to do it safely.

First of all, “Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area, such as outdoors or near an open window,” Teen says. Hold the alcohol pad approximately 2 to 6 inches from your nose. If you don’t have alcohol pads on hand, you can also soak a cotton ball in isopropyl alcohol. “Take a few deep breaths and inhale the smoke for 30 seconds to a minute,” says Shepherd. “I like to smell the rubbing alcohol without being completely overwhelmed,” the teen added. Listen to your body. “If you start to feel uncomfortable or weird, stop right away,” the teen says. Similarly, if you continue to feel nauseous, don’t keep sniffing, Shepard says. Instead, contact your health care provider, she says.

Other possible nausea treatments

If the rubbing alcohol trick doesn’t work (it doesn’t work for everyone), there are other natural remedies you can try to reduce nausea. For example, nurse-approved treatments include:

ginger

Shepherd and Teen both recommend eating ginger (think ginger tea and ginger candy). According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, ginger improves digestion so that food doesn’t stay in your intestines longer and cause you to vomit.

peppermint

Recent research finds peppermint oil to be effective suppress nausea3. Reduces vomiting and nausea in people receiving chemotherapy, but less nausea. The participants in this study reaped the benefits simply by placing a drop of peppermint oil under their noses.

But what if you’re not a fan of essential oils? Peppermint tea ($9) may have a similar effect, Shepherd says.

Shiatsu

Acupressure (a type of massage based on traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture) involves applying pressure to specific areas of the body (called acupuncture points). It helps control nausea by changing the pain signals that nerves send to the brain. “Applying pressure to the P-6 point on the wrist can relieve symptoms,” says Shepard.

According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, here’s how to find acupoint P-6:

Place your hands so that your fingers are pointing up and your palms are facing you. Place the first three fingers of your other hand on your wrist. The fingers should be placed just below the wrist crease (where the wrist bends). Place your thumb directly below your index finger (index finger). Remove three fingers from your wrist, but keep your thumb in place and press down. You should be able to feel two large tendons (tissues that connect muscles and bones) between your thumbs. This location between the two tendons is pressure point P-6.

If you prefer, you can also purchase an acupressure wristband ($5) to press on these pressure points.

hydration

Dehydration can lead to nausea, so “drinking clear fluids like water or electrolyte drinks” can help, Shepard says. You can drink plain water or use an electrolyte drink mix like Nuun Daily Hydration Tablets ($22) or Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier Mix ($26).

Eat small snacks and frequent meals.

“It depends on the cause of your nausea, but if it’s related to pregnancy or morning sickness, keeping something in your stomach at all times may help,” Teen says. Stick to low-fat, bland, starchy foods. “Just popping a saltine cracker into your mouth first thing in the morning can help relieve nausea,” she says.

vitamin B6

This essential vitamin “helps metabolize carbohydrates and regulate blood sugar levels, which can reduce the chance of nausea,” Teen says. According to the National Institutes of Health, you can get vitamin B6 from foods such as chickpeas, tuna, and fortified breakfast cereals, or through supplements. However, always consult your health care provider before trying any new supplements.

fresh air

Shepard says a breath of cold air and a slight change of scenery can help ease nausea. For example, if you’re feeling carsick, turning up the air conditioning or taking a pit stop and walking outside for a bit can help. Of course, this is a temporary relief strategy. If nausea persists, ginger and peppermint are effective.

If home remedies don’t help and you still feel nauseous, see your health care provider. Depending on your situation, you may be prescribed an antiemetic (such as Dramamine ($3)) to treat nausea.

When should you see a health care provider?

Everyone has had an upset stomach at least once. Usually it’s a simple explanation. Maybe the food you ate didn’t suit you, or you got motion sickness while on a boat. In such cases, you can treat the nausea at home until it subsides on its own. However, if the nausea doesn’t go away, your body may be telling you something. Severe or persistent nausea may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Shepherd and Teen recommend that you consult your health care provider if:

Nausea lasts for several days Nausea is accompanied by serious symptoms such as chest pain, severe abdominal pain, high fever, confusion, or blurred vision Severe or excessive vomiting or inability to keep fluids down Mouth with side effects of dehydration Thirst, sunken eyes, or rapid breathing Blood or feces in the vomit

If you’re pregnant and experiencing severe nausea that is interfering with your quality of life, don’t hesitate to talk about it. “While some degree of nausea is common and expected during pregnancy, I highly recommend speaking with your ob-gyn if you’re concerned,” Teen says. Your health care provider can examine you to rule out medical problems and create a safe treatment plan to help manage your nausea.