Understanding Inducing Vomiting: Causes, Methods & Medical Uses

Inducing vomiting, also called emetophilia, is the intentional act of stimulating the expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. It is typically used as a way to rid the stomach of ingested poisons or harmful substances, or to relieve feelings of nausea or discomfort. There are a number of medical procedures that can induce vomiting, such as nasogastric intubation (passing a tube through the nose and into the stomach) and pharmacologically-induced vomiting (using drugs such as apomorphine or ipecac syrup to stimulate the vomiting reflex).

Inducing vomiting can be dangerous, and should only be done under the supervision of a doctor. If you think you may need to induce vomiting, it is important to call your doctor or go to the hospital immediately.