CBD may benefit IBS

Why might CBD help with IBS? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the colon that affects the intestinal tract and is often both a direct cause and the result of stress. Stress can cause a change in the composition of bacteria in the gut microbiome, causing flare ups like IBS. On the other hand, existing gut issues that cause IBS symptoms may also induce feelings of stress and anxiety. This is a direct result of the gut-brain connection. Both issues might be aided with the introduction of Cannabidiol (CBD).

IBS occurs when your colon does not contract normally and instead contracts at random, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, as well as chronic constipation and/or diarrhea. While everyone suffers from bowel changes now and then, if you have IBS, the symptoms are more severe, or occur more often.

For many, these symptoms can severely limit your social interactions, travel, work options, and relationships. While there is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome, doctors have found that changes in lifestyle such as physical exercise, diet changes, more fiber, and stress management can help treat symptoms of IBS.

Understanding how stress can lead to IBS symptoms can begin by examining the “second brain”—our digestive system. Scientists have found that the gut has so many nerves in the walls of the digestive system that send signals back and forth to the brain, that it acts as a “second brain.”

The types of bacteria in our gut determine which signals are sent, which can impact our physical health, our mood, and even the way we think. This connection between the gut and brain is called the gut-brain axis.

Because of this connection, it is critical that the gut microbiome, the community of bacteria and other microbes, remains balanced and healthy so that the digestive tract functions effectively. With a healthy gut microbiome, we feel less anxiety and stress, and subsequently have fewer IBS symptoms.

It’s also important to remember that this connection runs both ways, so stress and anxiety can cause changes in the gut microbiome, resulting in the growth of undesirable bacteria that can lead to inflammation and increased risk for disease, including gastrointestinal disorders like IBS.

Because IBS can be caused both by an unhealthy gut microbiome and chronic stress and anxiety, it makes sense that treatment involves both stress management and dietary changes to improve the gut microbiome. If you feel chronic stress, your doctor may recommend stress management techniques, physical exercise, or therapy. Reducing stress can help lessen anxiety.

Dr Edward Russo a leader in CBD research says:

“Well, yes it does in a very important way. There’s been some very interesting work done recently that shows that the microbiome, which is a collection of natural bacterium in the gut, has a great deal to do with our health overall. Whether someone has problems with inflammation or not, it provides neurotransmitters that go to the brain, effects our moods in a very key way, it’s very involved in autoimmune diseases. What was found is that THC actually stimulates production of some of the more beneficial bacterium and suppresses the disease-causing bacteria like clostridia that produces severe diarrhea syndrome.”

There is an emerging area of research in its infancy that has shown CBD can benefit the microbiome in conjunction with the endocannabidiol system (ECS) that we previously discussed in our blog. With all the upcoming benefits of CBD if you suffer from IBS wouldn’t getting on a CBD protocol be worth a try? Contact us, we can help make a healthy choice!