Combating an Overactive Bladder with CBD

Do you have an overactive bladder, or does someone you know have it? Here is what to know about CBD oil and overactive bladder; what is cannabidiol oil, what is overactive bladder, what causes an overactive bladder, how does healthy bladder function, how does CBD lower urinary frequency and inflammation, and how does CBD work on the bladder.

There are many abbreviations in use today, but one that has become increasingly commonplace is CBD. It is gaining such notoriety that you can purchase it at virtually any pharmacy chain or even the supermarket in the neighborhood. Nevertheless, even though it is everywhere, you probably still do not know what it is in its entirety. You've probably come across assertions that it eases discomfort, combats anxiety, and helps people get a better night's sleep. If it can do all of those things, then we can't help but wonder if it would also benefit your bladder. Relax and settle in as we discuss what cannabidiol, or CBD, is and whether or not it can relieve bladder discomfort.

What is Cannabidiol?

Cannabidiol is a popular natural medication used to treat many relatively frequent disorders. Cannabidiol, more commonly referred to as CBD, is one of more than one hundred different cannabinoids in the Cannabis sativa plant. Cannabis Sativa is a kind of cannabis plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary hallucinogenic cannabinoid found in cannabis. THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the high commonly associated with cannabis use. Cannabidiol does not produce intoxicating effects as THC does. Cannabidiol is an attractive choice for seeking relief from pain and other symptoms without experiencing the mind-altering effects of cannabis or the various adverse effects associated with some pharmaceutical medicines. Oil containing CBD is produced by isolating cannabidiol from the cannabis plant and then diluting the concentrate with a carrier oil like coconut oil or hemp seed oil. You may buy CBD in a wide variety of goods, including dietary supplements, bath soaks, drinks, and food, both on the internet and in physical places.

What Is An Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder syndrome, often known as OAB, is when a person experiences an urgent need to urinate that is both difficult to control and unexpected. Involuntary contractions of the bladder or detrusor muscles can lead to overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and urine incontinence. Kroll (2017) revealed that urine in the bladder is irrelevant to whether or not a person urinates due to these contractions. Diabetes, urinary tract infections, bladder stones or tumors, stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or hormonal abnormalities are some illnesses linked to OAB in some patients. A person who suffers from OAB may have multiple urination episodes per day. People with this illness are more likely to feel mental stress, disturbed sleep cycles, or sexuality disorders, which can negatively impact their social and professional lives.

What Causes An Overactive Bladder?

OAB occurs when the muscles that control bladder function begin to work involuntarily. These muscles are responsible for emptying the bladder. There are different causes of OAB, one of which is lifestyle. For example, you may get OAB if you drink alcohol and caffeine in high quantities. Alwis et al. (2020) stated that both alcohol and caffeine have the effect of stimulating the body to create more urine due to their diuretic properties. OAB symptoms may be made worse by drinking large amounts of fluids, regardless of whether those fluids contain caffeine or alcohol. OAB may potentially be the result of more severe health issues. Qin et al. (2021) commented that OAB could be caused by a stroke or other conditions that affect the neurological system, such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. Diabetes and kidney illness are also examples of this.

In men, irritable bowel syndrome is frequently caused by an enlarged prostate. Acute urinary tract infections (UTIs) can give rise in both men and women to symptoms that are comparable to those of overactive bladder (OAB).

How Does a Healthy Bladder Function?

The kidneys are responsible for producing urine, which is then transported to the bladder via the urethra. Guo et al. (2020) argued that layers of muscular tissue surround the bladder and can stretch to accommodate increased urine volume. The urine generated by the kidneys is collected and stored in a bladder. The brain will get a signal to tell it to go to the bathroom when the bladder is full; when an individual requires to urinate, the muscles in the bladder contract, which causes two valves to open, allowing urine to exit the body.

Existing Medication

Certain behavioral adjustments may improve a person's ability to manage overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and enhance bladder control and general wellbeing. Participating in regular physical exercise, working out the muscles in the pelvic floor, eating a balanced diet, urinating at regular intervals, and cutting back on smoking and alcohol intake are all lifestyle adjustments. Other treatment options for OAB include administering prescription medications, receiving injections of Botox, undergoing nerve stimulation, or undergoing surgery. Prescription medicines for OAB include oxybutynin, tolterodine, solifenacin, darifenacin, or fesoterodine. Oxybutynin can be consumed as a pill, or you can apply it to the skin as a gel or patch.

How Does CBD Lower Urinary Frequency and Inflammation?

CBD has shown promise as a potential treatment for many medical conditions, including neuroinflammation, epilepsy, nausea and vomiting, oxidative damage, and anxiety. Neuroinflammation is an inflammatory reaction in the central nervous system linked to several conditions, including multiple sclerosis and stroke. These disorders might lead to bladder dysfunctions, such as the overactive bladder (OAB). The endocannabinoid system is involved in the process that makes CBD effective. There are receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) responsible for controlling various bodily functions, such as the CB1 receptors in the central nervous system, which regulate inflammatory reactions.

How Does CBD Work on the Bladder?

Cannabinoids can bind to two receptors in the body, which are CB1 and CB2 receptors. There are more CB1 receptors in the brain, affecting not just movement but also emotions, mood, and other things. Immunity has CB2 receptors, which influence inflammation and pain when activated. CBD inhibits receptor activity, particularly in the CB1 receptors, in contrast to THC, which binds to these receptors. By interacting with these receptors, CBD could potentially activate them and generate physiological changes, such as a reduction in pain or an improvement in mood.

It is interesting to note that many CB1 receptors are present in the pathways associated with bladder function. The bladder, the central nervous system, and the regions of the brain that connect with the bladder are all involved in this circuit. When CBD enters the scene and starts interacting with CB1 receptors, it can potentially treat diseases associated with overactive bladders by strengthening the detrusor muscles. When people need to hold their pee or urinate, their detrusor muscles must extend and contract. It's possible that using CBD oil could help reduce the signals sent to your brain and bladder when you don't need to go to the bathroom.

Conclusion

Cannabidiol may have an advantageous effect on the activity of the detrusor muscles and assist in managing OAB symptoms. Although both CBD and THC are derived from cannabis, CBD is more benign and does not provide the same intoxicating effects as THC. Nevertheless, consuming CBD may still result in adverse effects such as diarrhea, decreased appetite, dry mouth, and weariness. Patients who suffer from OAB should discuss the possibility of using CBD to treat their condition with a trained medical practitioner, such as a doctor or a health care provider. The findings appear highly encouraging; however, more analysis and rigorous data control are required.

References

Alwis, U. S., Monaghan, T. F., Haddad, R., Weiss, J. P., Roggeman, S., Van Laecke, E., ... & Everaert, K. (2020). Dietary Considerations In The Evaluation And Management Of Nocturia. F1000Research, 9.

Qin, C., Wang, Y., & Gao, Y. (2021). Overactive Bladder Symptoms Within Nervous System: A Focus On Etiology. Frontiers In Physiology, 12.

Guo, H. L., Peng, X. F., Bao, X. Q., Wang, L., Jia, Z. M., Huang, Y. C., ... & Chen, F. (2020). Bladder Reconstruction Using Autologous Smooth Muscle Cell Sheets Grafted On A Pre-Vascularized Capsule. Theranostics, 10(23), 10378.

Kroll, P. (2017). Pharmacotherapy For Pediatric Neurogenic Bladder. Pediatric Drugs, 19(5), 463-478.