Using Cannabis in today's society has become less taboo than in previous years. The consuming population has widely accepted the usage of marijuana and all its derivatives for medicinal purposes. It helps treat a wide array of conditions, including gastrointestinal problems. 

 

Most cannabis products are marketed as medicinal and are used to ease varying health conditions like anxiety, seizures, cancers, pain, and skin conditions to name a few. Some products are promoted to facilitate different forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Crohn's Disease. 

 

GET TO KNOW YOUR GUT

 

The Gastrointestinal system is also known by its other name, the "second brain." It starts from the esophagus and ends at the anus. A majority of people believe that the function of the GI system is only to digest food, but it does much more than that. The microbiome, a collection of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that all live in equilibrium in a human's body, is found in the gut. 

 

One of the microbiome's main functions is the digestion of food and the absorption of nutrients. It is also responsible for producing neurotransmitters used by the body and regulates daily cognitive and physiological processes, including the immune system. 

 

Digestive issues are some of the most common conditions people suffer from worldwide. These conditions affect a vast chunk of the population. When these conditions become severe, they endanger a person's life and well-being by being a gateway for more life-threatening illnesses. Keeping the GI system healthy gives a person a chance for a longer and more fulfilling life. 

 

GUT FEELING

 

When healthy, these microbes present in the gut work in symbiosis with a human being; it helps regulate and restore the immune system by disintegrating potentially toxic food and synthesizing necessary nutrients to strengthen the gut barrier. The gut barrier's function is to absorb nutrients from our food intake. 

 

When unhealthy, these microbes make us suffer from the condition known as gut dysbiosis. This condition is mainly caused by an unhealthy and unbalanced diet, alcoholism, and eating food contaminated with artificial products. Gut dysbiosis can become more serious conditions like Chron's and IBS if left unmonitored.



HOW CBD COMES INTO THE EQUATION

 

Both THC and CBD are being studied for their medical benefits, but most researchers suggest that the use of CBD can help in the curing and prevention of diseases that may be present in the gut. 

 

“The endocannabinoid system was discovered in the 1990s, and researchers were able to discover that cannabinoids interact with multiple receptors throughout the body, with two main receptors called the cannabinoid receptor one (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor two (CB2),” says Jami Kinnucan, MD.

 

CB1 receptors are found in the brain and the central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are found throughout the rest of the body, which includes the digestive tract. 

 

Some researchers propose that using CBD can help cure the disorders of the GI system. A review of multiple studies published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology concluded that CBD usage among people with IBD is not effective in inducing remission. Still, it was associated more with patient-reported symptom improvement, including decreased abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea.  

Another study concluded that using CBD for eight weeks can help with the improvement of symptoms and overall quality of life for patients suffering from mild to moderate ulcerative colitis when comparing it to a placebo. However, there was no association with the decrease in inflammation, which indicates positive development of the condition. 

 

CBD AND GUT HEALTH

 

The presence of cannabinoid receptors comes into play when considering the benefits of CBD for gut health. When dysbiosis occurs, CBD may be extremely helpful in returning an order to imbalanced systems to bring your body back to a healthy state. CBD's anti-inflammatory characteristic is vital in lessening a large range of symptoms like lack of absorption of necessary nutrients and which can lead to malnourishment and diarrhea that may result in dehydration and fatigue. 

 

CBD is also helpful in strengthening the body's immune processes that spring from the gut. In the case of dysbiosis, immune system hyperactivity occurs, generating large amounts of inflammation; CBD stabilizes this hyperactivity by decreasing inflammation and helping the immune system handle toxins and different types of allergens.

 

With the brain and the gut in constant communication with each other, stress may arise as a primary concern. CBD functions as a relaxant and helps with the movement and contraction of the gut. 

 

Researches on animals exhibit that cannabinoids like CBD upgrade the gut microbiome by increasing the numbers of helpful microbes and suppressing unwelcome strains of bacteria that would otherwise decommission the gut barriers. 

 

In another study, Lactobacillus probiotic supplementation shoots up the circulation of intestinal cannabinoid receptors in rats, improving microbial makeup and bringing down certain digestive issues.

 

Finding out CBD is exceptional for your gut is reason enough for celebration, but as it turns out, Cannabidiol has numerous benefits, including:

  • Calm, pleasant mood.
  • Cardiovascular wellness
  • Healthy Joints
  • Optimal Brain and Neurological Function
  • Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
  • Relief from Occasional Aches and Pains

 

CBD USAGE CONSIDERATIONS

 

Not all CBD oils are the same; some may contain very little Cannabidiol, and some may contain a lot. To protect yourself, you must look for products like Heritage CBD Oil Drops. Heritage CBD also takes advantage of third-party laboratory testing to test for potency, toxins, microbes, terpenes, and solvents, with consumers having easy access to the results on the website.

 

CBD AND GUT HEALTH CONCLUSIONS

 

CBD provides numerous benefits for gut health. It doesn’t just help in digestion but also assists in the absorption of necessary nutrients. Additionally, it reinforces the gut barriers, and helps strengthen the immune system.  

 

CBD also addresses dysbiosis and imbalance in the microbiome. Moreover, CBD helps alleviate different forms of IBD, like Crohn's Disease. Its natural anti-inflammatory characteristic also mitigates symptoms connected to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. 

 

The relationship between CBD, gut health and the microbiome is not as simple as it seems. With more research and experimentation, we may unlock more potential of this wonderful compound. 







Sources: 

How does cannabis affect the gut microbiome?

Gut Check: Does Marijuana Use and CBD Affect the Gut?

CBD for Gut Health: How This Powerful Oil Affects Your GI Tract

Inside Look: Hemp Extract and the Microbiome 

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