How to Induce Vomiting

There is nothing fun at all about vomiting, but it is one of the body’s main lines of defense against toxins. People generally need to induce vomiting for one of two reasons: they have ingested a poison that needs to be expelled immediately, or they are bulimic. People suffering from the eating disorder bulimia should seek medical help, but if you've swallowed a poison, then vomit away.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Find a spot to vomit. The bathroom is your best bet, but if you need to throw up because of an emergency situation, then simply induce vomiting and point your mouth away from other people.
2. Take an emetic, like syrup of ipecac, if you have one on hand. Emetics are ingestible substances that induce vomiting. Adults should take 1 to 2 teaspoons of syrup of ipecac and then 1 cup of water. The syrup is safe if you take the proper amount.
3. Find the constrictor muscle at the back of your throat if you don’t have an emetic. The constrictor muscle is behind the dangling bit of tissue called the uvula.
4. Stimulate the constrictor muscle with a finger. Basically, just stick your finger down your throat and tickle it. Once you start to heave, take your finger out.
5. Place your head lower than your hips to reduce the possibility of vomit entering your lungs. Stand up and bend over to vomit rather than kneel down.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a reduced gag reflex, there is a good chance that you will not be able to induce vomiting by stimulating the constrictor muscle. Take an emetic instead.
• People who vomit regularly, such as bulimics, run a risk of esophageal and dental deterioration.
• Vomiting a lot can cause you to dehydrate. Drink lots of fluids if you have been sick.