CBD Oil for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
More and more people are trying cannabidiol (CBD) oil and other forms of the compound for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition known to have no cure. There are even reports of doctors suggesting to their patients to try the hemp plant extract to see if it can improve their symptoms.
CBD OIL
Although research on efficacy is still at a very nascent stage, many IBS sufferers have taken things into their own hands by self-prescribing the cannabinoid to deal with the embarrassing symptoms of this disorder.
But does CBD oil really help for IBS? How does it work? We will be discussing all that in this article.
Troubling Effects of IBS
Living with irritable bowel syndrome can be a frustrating, painful, and potentially embarrassing experience. This forces sufferers into making some drastic changes in their lifestyle choices, most especially on diet.
Common symptoms that people with this disorder often exhibit include:
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Rectal bleeding
- Too much gas
- Weight loss
There are certain triggers that can set off these symptoms, which usually occur in episodes. They include certain foods (e.g. spices), hormonal imbalance, and stress response.
IBS can also have a mental dimension to it. The disorder is capable of making you suffer depression. And it is easy to see why with the occurrence of unpleasant or embarrassing symptoms that just won’t go away.
There is actually evidence of a direct relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and mental health. The state of your gastrointestinal health may have effect on your cognitive function. People with poor gut flora are thought to be more likely to suffer anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Some might wonder how it is possible for the state of the gastrointestinal tract to impact mental health. A significant amount of serotonin is produced in the digestive tract. This neurotransmitter plays crucial role in the regulation of mood. So, you are more likely to suffer depression and other mental issues if you have low levels of the substance.
IBS, Endocannabinoids and Cannabidiol
The human endocannabinoid system helps to maintain homeostasis in the body, mainly within the nervous and immune systems. It promotes a stable environment in the body to support good health and feeling of wellness. Naturally occurring endocannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors, many of which are in the gastrointestinal tract, to regulate internal homeostasis.
A deficient endocannabinoid system is thought to be a factor in the incidence of gastrointestinal issues, including IBS. This can throw internal homeostasis off balance, resulting in symptoms related to IBS and other issues.
On the basis of this, you may get better by improving the amount of endocannabinoids in your digestive system. CBD offers a means of doing this.
Cannabidiol is one of the compounds found in the hemp or cannabis plant. This substance, which isn’t psychoactive, is also able to bind to cannabinoid receptors in your body, same way as endocannabinoids. As a result, it may improve internal homeostasis as well as IBS symptoms.
How Effective is CBD Oil for IBS?
The efficacy of cannabidiol for irritable bowel syndrome is based mainly on anecdotal evidence. You can find people talking about how it improved their symptoms on online forums.
However, sufficient research is lacking on this use. There is scientific evidence that the compound may be helpful for correcting IBS symptoms, though.
It is well known in research that CBD oil activates cannabinoid receptors in the nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Because of this, it can help to fight inflammation and inhibit the secretion of fluids in the gastrointestinal tract. This also means it may be useful in blocking symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting in IBS sufferers.
Researchers have also found that the cannabis constituent has analgesic effect. It can help to lessen the pain that people with IBS often feel.
There are studies showing that CBD oil can improve anxiety and depression symptoms. It may, therefore, be helpful for combating depression that may result from IBS.
You will likely find a good oil-based CBD product, such as CBD Pure, more beneficial if you’d like to try cannabidiol for your IBS. This offers you a more targeted approach for re-balancing your endocannabinoid system. It is actually the most popularly used form.
As always, we will advise that you discuss with your doctor before you use any special product to improve your health, including supplements. It will help greatly in preventing probable complications from CBD use.
REFERENCES
CBD for IBS: How CBD Oils Can Help with IBS Symptoms – The Gut Program (https://www.thegutprogram.com/blogs/the-low-fodmap-blog/cbd-for-ibs-how-cbd-oils-can-help-with-ibs-symptoms)
Let’s talk about cannabis and irritable bowel syndrome | NHS (https://naturalhealthservices.ca/medical-cannabis-and-irritable-bowel-syndrome/)
