CBD – Hope for Digestive Distress
By Gabriel Darda
The study of CBD’s (cannabinoids) and their potential affects on gut health and the issues directly relating to it, could be considered one of the more exciting aspects of CBD research. This is especially true for the millions suffering from the activity-limiting issues caused by inflammatory-related digestive distress disorders (Crohns, IBS, ulcers, GERD, Leaky Gut, etc.). If the research ultimately supports CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, those findings could be life-changing.
Most view the gut as a food-in-fuel-out system that keeps us functioning properly. Research has now shown that it is so much more than that. In fact, it is so critically important that many in the medical community now refer to the gut as the “second brain,” impacting the immune system, mental health and more. But, the most obvious is the digestive system.
To get a better picture of how CBD can effectively help with digestive distress, its good to first understand digestion itself, which is comprised of six stages:
ingestion (eating)
secretion (digestive acids)
mixing and movement (blending the food with the digestive acids)
digestion (larger pieces to smaller – then simplifying down into chemical components)
absorption (distribution throughout the body via bloodstream as nutrients and fuel)
excretion (remove remaining indigestible waste)
It is surmised that CBD supports the digestive system by assisting the body’s ECS (Endocannabinoid System); the ECS regulates the overall balance (systems) of our physiological state. CBD’s important impact in the gut is centered on the CB1 and CB2 receptors, found throughout the gut and digestive system, which positively respond to CBDs, which further stimulates the body to repair itself and affecting every stage of digestion.
As an example, those who suffer from the autoimmune digestive disorder Leaky Gut are exposed to multiple health issues, from fatigue to multiple sclerosis. This disease destroys the body’s ability to intelligently filter what passes from the gut into the bloodstream during the absorption stage; both healthy and unhealthy (toxins) are dumped in, causing a myriad of devastating inflammatory responses.
CBD has shown promising results in restoring the body’s ability to properly filter what should and should not be absorbed into the bloodstream by supporting the ECS, which signals the body to repair itself. Of course, supporting CBD use with proper diet, removing toxins from your environment, and reducing stress will certainly add to its effectiveness.
Adding to CBD effectiveness is its ability to reduce inflammation throughout the body; inflammation leads to multiple gastrointestinal issues. One such process that shows potential is it’s apparent ability to reduce secretion of the stomach acid-HCl (Hydrochloric Acid) by supporting the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Experimental data shows it is the ECS that may hold the key to treatment for this and so many other inflammatory-induced gastrointestinal disorders.
Other chronic digestive ailments such as Crohns disease have been experimentally treated with promising results using CBD.
Yet another encouraging aspect of CBD is its sustainable properties. Many pharmaceutical drugs have debilitating side effects and some, which can potentially cause organ and/or bone damage, cannot be taken over a prolonged period of time. On the other hand, CBD taken for digestive disorders primarily impacts the responsiveness of the ECS receptors in the stomach and brain, which control the start-to-finish process of digestion, without negatively impacting overall health. This can be a far gentler and more sustainable solution for digestive issues.
Because every aspect of daily life hinges on the digestive system properly fueling the body, this process deserves our undivided attention and care. For anyone already suffering with digestive disorders, it may well be worth trying this gentle, plant-based solution; CBD could be the effective and sustainable answer you’ve hoped for!
