CBD and Constipation: Can CBD Oil Offer Relief?

CBD is one of over one hundred cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. It offers vast benefits, including but not limited to pain relief, inflammation relief, and alleviating anxiety and depression. This blog discusses the understanding of CBD, the reasons people are using CBD for constipation, how CBD works to alleviate constipation symptoms, CBD dosage for constipation, and factors to consider while choosing CBD oil for constipation.
Constipation is an uncomfortable feeling, and the causes of constipation are so vast. It is one of the most popular symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other gastrointestinal tract disorders. It is the first gut complaint in the USA, and almost four million individuals complain about it frequently. There are many ways to deal with constipation; however, most individuals are unaware of a natural solution, and that is where cannabidiol (CBD) comes in. Various studies prove that this powerful plant extract can treat constipation. When used in the ideal dosage, CBD helps in managing our digestive system.

Understanding CBD

CBD is the short form of cannabidiol. It is the most popular cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis plant, making up to forty percent of the cannabinoids of the plant. It has made headlines, and its popularity has grown since it is seen as a medical treatment. One of the reasons for its popularity is because it does not have psychoactive effects like its counterpart tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which produces a high effect like that experienced when smoking marijuana. CBD is available in various formulations, including but not limited to CBD-infused; oils, tinctures, topical (creams, lotions, and salves), edibles (gummies), capsules, and balms. CBD treats various health conditions like acne, pain, depression, anxiety, and inflammation. It is also used to treat various gut problems suchas constipation.

Reasons People Are Using CBD for Constipation

Constipation is a digestive tract issue that is normally treated with over–the–counter medications. These medications have ingredients that loosen your stool or increase your bowel movement. However, misusing these medications may have various side effects like bloating and diarrhea. Apatient may become dependent on these laxatives, leading to an eating disorder. Some gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome require prescription drugs since they affect the whole gastrointestinal tract.
The two major causes of constipation include colon and rectum dysfunction and medication or systemic disease. IBS affects the colon, and its symptoms include constipation and diarrhea. There is no medication for this condition, and its cause is unknown. However, you can use specific laxatives to reduce its symptoms.
People are turning to take CBD instead of prescription drugs because the latter causes gastrointestinal side effects like flatulence and diarrhea. This medical cannabis can relieve IBD like Crohn's disease. Esposito et al. (2013) noted that patients were givenCBD for ulcerative colitis, an IBD that leads to inflammation in the gut. Theynoted that their inflammation decreases since CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease is also an IBD, which inflates the digestive system. Patients with this disease are more prone to mental disorders like anxiety. Gallily et al. (2015)showed that patients with Crohn's disease reported feeling calm after taking CBD since it provided a relaxing effect on their nerves, alleviating their anxiety. People tolerate CBD because its side effects are rare.

How CBD Works to Alleviate Constipation Symptoms

Constipation symptoms include painful bowel movements, nausea, bloating, and stomach ache, which may interfere with your daily routine. Some causes of constipation include; taking foods high in dairy, foods low in fiber, and various medications like opioids and anticholinergics. You must know how it works before taking CBD for any health condition. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoidsystem (ECS), but it specifically binds to some of its cannabinoid receptors (CB 1 and CB 2).Baswan et al. (2020) suggested that the ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis (balance) in the body by managing mood, appetite, pain, and memory.

CBD for Nausea

Nausea is a popular symptom of GI disorders and constipation. Its characteristics include stomach discomfort and vomiting. Afrin et al. (2020) suggested that Using CBD oral spray helps in alleviating nausea, especially in chemotherapy patients. The study above also showed that CBD is known to suppress nausea before a chemotherapy session effectively.

CBD for Stomach Ache

Mlost et al. (2020) noted that people use CBD to alleviate pain; CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, reducing pain.

CBD for Bloating

Bloating is a cause of constipation and a sign of inflammation in the gut system. CBD oil helps reduce intestine information since it contains anti-inflammatory properties. Hryhorowicz et al. (2021) proved that CBD activates the CB1 receptors of the ECS, providing therapeutic effects for inflammation symptoms in the digestive system.

Factors to Consider While Choosing the Right CBD Oil for Constipation

CBD exists in three forms that can help treat constipation. They include:
• Marinotti et al. (2020) suggested that CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD since it contains around ninety-nine percent of concentration.Other cannabinoids are extracted from the plant using fractional distillation where heat is used. It is a great choice for individuals who do not want the psychoactive effects of THC.
• Broad spectrum CBD: Arzimanoglou et al. (2020) noted that it has all the other compounds of the cannabis plant except THC. It has the entourage effect since all the other compounds enhance the therapeutic effects of CBD.
• Full spectrum CBD: Maayah et al. (2020) stated that it has all the hemp plant compounds, including THC, meaning it has the full entourage effect.
However, if you want maximum benefits of CBD, you should go for the full spectrum CBD oil because of the full entourage effect.
Other factors to consider:
• Whether the brand has proof of third-party lab test rest, this report shows whether the product is safe for use.
• Look for its extraction method. Always choose manufacturers who are transparent about their manufacturing process.
• Read product reviews, especially if you are buying online. When purchasing from physical stores, ensure the store follows the regulations and laws.
• Check the ingredient list to see whether there are synthetic ingredients used or not.

CBD Dosage for Constipation

There is no standard dose for CBD;therefore, you should start with a lower dose. Newbies start with about one to six milligrams of CBD. You can gradually increase the dose if you do not notice any effect. Other factors that affect the amount of CD you consume include; body weight, concentration, and chemistry. You must also talk to your doctor first to help you know your right CBD dose and its effect on your body.

Conclusion

Constipation affects almost two million people worldwide, a common gut problem. Most people are turning to CBD as a treatment since it rarely has any side effects since it is a natural product. CBD interacts with the body's ECS hence helps I relieving pain and inflammation that are linked to constipation. It is also made possible since it is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. However, before taking CBD as a treatment, you should consult with your doctor first to help you know the amount of dosage right for your body and the potential effects it may cause.

References

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