It is important to be careful when making yourself throw up because the process can be uncomfortable or painful. If you scratch or burn the throat while making yourself throw up you can do permanent damage to the body.

Warning: There are some circumstances in which forcing yourself to vomit is not an appropriate course of action. If you are concerned that you have injected something poisonous, contact poison control to determine the best course of action before you try self-care like making yourself throw up. Do not try to induce vomiting for someone who ingested something inappropriate and is unconscious as this can cause them to choke. Self-induced vomiting should also be avoided as a weight loss alternative. Frequent vomiting can rob the body of vital nutrients and cause erosion of the teeth and esophagus from frequent contact with stomach acid.

How to Make Yourself Throw Up

Beforehand, plan where you will throw up so that you can avoid making a mess. Throwing up in the bathroom over the toilet or using a plastic bag are common choices.

Sit in a comfortable position that puts minimal stress on your abdomen so that your muscles do not have to overwork themselves to expel the contents of your stomach. In between cycles of vomiting, try to breath at a normal rate to avoid overexerting your body. If possible, rinse your mouth out with water in between bouts of sickness to avoid leaving stomach acid or food fragments remaining in the throat for long periods of time.

1. Index Finger- Typically when people want to make themselves throw up, they use their index finger to stimulate the gag reflex. Insert the finger deep into the throat, aiming for the palatal area around the uvula. This should cause a wave of nausea that will lead to vomiting. Take care to remove the finger before you start throwing up to avoid any potential choking hazard. You should also be careful when inserting the finger in the throat to avoid scratching the delicate tissue around the tonsils.
2. Emetics- How to make yourself throw up? A safer method involves taking medication intended to cause these effects. Ipecac is a common emetic which comes in a tablet or syrup. Mix this medication with water and drink it to induce vomiting. Ipecac causes the stomach wall to contract severely to push out any contents. It may take a few moments before these medications induce nausea, and during this time the patient may suffer some discomfort.
3. Salt Water- If you do not have emetic medication on hand, salt water can be used to help induce vomiting. Mix approximately 4-5 tablespoons of salt in an 8 ounce glass of water and drink the solution. The high concentration of sodium may cause vomiting as your body works to avoid making you become excessively dehydrated.
4. Sensory Stimulation- Coming in contact with certain stimuli can induce nausea that can lead to vomiting. Watching a video of other people throwing up can create a nauseous feeling that can lead to vomiting. Similarly, coming into contact with offensive smells can lead to vomiting if you are already feeling ill.
5. Overeating- Overextending your stomach can cause you to vomit. If you are trying to make yourself throw up because you have ingested something foul this might not be the best course of action, so it's important to think carefully before you use this method. Stick with healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables or bland starches when you choose to extend your stomach by overeating. Junk food can cause additional distress that might make your nausea or digestive symptoms worse.

Now that you know how to make yourself throw up, there's also precaution to be taken.

Things to Do After Making Yourself Throw Up

After you have induced vomiting it is important to help replenish what you have lost. Take a few moments to sit, relax and allow the nausea to pass. Once you are sure that you will not throw up again, drink a glass of cold water to ensure that you will not become dehydrated. You should also brush your teeth and tongue to remove any lingering stomach acid from your mouth which could cause damage to your teeth. Do not try to eat until you are feeling up to it again. When you are hungry, start out with bland foods like rice, crackers or broth to avoid over-stimulating your system.