CBD Oil for IBS: Does it Work?
Living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be draining - impacting not only your physical well-being but your overall quality of life.
People struggling with IBS can spend years trying to find the right solution that works for them - from traditional medicine to lifestyle changes and diets such as the low FODMAP diet.
Some people report that CBD oil helps to alleviate symptoms - but is this true? Can it help IBS patients? What is the science behind these claims? That’s what we’ll be exploring in this blog post.
Read on to find out the potential links between CBD oil and IBS, including its effectiveness, potential benefits, and how it may help to improve gut health.
What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects the lower gastrointestinal tract, including the small intestine and long intestine. Some IBS symptoms include:
- Stomach pain
- Cramping
- Gas
- Bloating
- Irregular bowel movements
- Lack of energy
- Nausea
- Heartburn
The symptoms of IBS often become more severe after eating a big meal or after eating certain types of food.
The exact cause of IBS remains unclear. This can make managing and treating IBS difficult. Traditional treatments for IBS often involve diet changes, stress management, and medication - but results from conventional treatments can vary from person to person.
Many people with IBS try the low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet.
This diet focuses on reducing certain types of carbohydrates that can trigger digestive symptoms. There are many different types of low FODMAP recipes that can help to ease symptoms.
How CBD Oil Could Help With IBS
CBD isolate is a compound derived from the hemp plant, a relative of the marijuana plant. Unlike THC, another compound found in the cannabis plant, CBD does not have psychoactive effects. This means you can enjoy the potential health benefits of CBD oil without experiencing the mind-altering effects associated with THC.
CBD has become more and more popular in recent years, with many people implementing it into their daily routines to help with general wellness as well as certain health conditions.
Some CBD users report that it helps to relieve their anxiety, and helps them to sleep. CBD could also help when managing IBS symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
CBD is well-known for its anti-inflammatory effects. This is one of the reasons why many people use CBD for IBS symptoms.
IBS symptoms are generally caused by inflammation in the intestinal tract. CBD is thought to reduce inflammation and have antioxidant properties by activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). This could lead to a calmer and healthier gut environment, relieving symptoms of IBS.
Regulation of Motility
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the body, which helps to regulate various bodily processes, including gut motility.
Studies suggest that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a promising strategy to help modulate gut motility, intestinal inflammation, and visceral hyperalgesia. This could potentially provide relief if you are experiencing irregular bowel movements associated with IBS and other digestive disorders.
Pain Management
One of the most sought-after benefits of CBD is its pain-relieving effects. Many people with IBS experience regular abdominal pain - it’s one of the most common debilitating symptoms of IBS.
There have been many studies about the effectiveness of CBD for chronic pain relief. One study explored the effectiveness of CBD for patients with acute and chronic back pain and found that hemp-derived CBD cream provided significant pain relief.
It is thought that CBD’s analgesic properties can help to alleviate pain and discomfort, making you more comfortable.
Stress and Anxiety Reduction
Stress and anxiety can cause IBS flare-ups and affect your digestive system. Likewise, IBS symptoms can make you feel stressed - it can be a vicious cycle.
CBD has been studied for its anxiolytic effects, potentially helping individuals manage stress and anxiety levels. Evidence suggests that CBD could be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders when administered acutely.
This means that taking CBD regularly could reduce the stress and anxiety associated with IBS, and lead to a positive impact on your gut health. This could be particularly beneficial if anxiety is causing IBS flare-ups.
What CBD Products are Best for IBS?
There are a range of CBD products that you can use to help alleviate symptoms of IBS, from tasty CBD gummies to high-quality CBD oil products.
If you’re wondering ‘Is CBD legal?’ - the short answer is yes, it is legal and authorised in the UK. However, we recommend buying CBD from a reputable company.
At Orange County CBD, we aim to make CBD accessible and convenient for all - which is why we have a wide selection of safe and effective CBD products. We have something for everyone here at Orange County CBD.
Our CBD oils vary in strength, from just 500mg to 25,000mg. If you’re new to CBD, we recommend starting with a low dose and working your way up to a higher dose. This can help to avoid any potential side effects. We have several flavours to choose from, including mint, apple, and cherry.
Choose between either full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains a range of cannabinoids, including THC.
On the other hand, broad-spectrum CBD oil doesn’t include THC but still features other cannabinoids and compounds. This makes it a good choice if you want to avoid THC's psychoactive effects. Both options provide potential health benefits, but the choice depends on your individual preferences and tolerance to THC.
If oils aren’t for you, why not try our gummies? These tasty CBD treats come in a selection of flavours, from fruity cherry and strawberry to refreshing cola. These are a delicious and discreet way to incorporate CBD into your daily routine.
Alternatively, if you’re after a quick hit of CBD, we have a range of disposable CBD vapes and CBD vape juice. Choose from flavours such as kiwi, blueberry, energy ice and many more.