Can CBD Improve Gut Health and IBS?

Gut health can be a touchy subject. Especially for the approximately 15% of the developed world that suffers from some form of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms.

With no cure for IBS, management of the abdominal pain and gastrointestinal discomfort that it causes is a daily struggle. There are many approaches, including a strict diet and even medications to treat extreme flare ups. Luckily, scientists are pushing for more research into IBS treatment options that are lower in toxicity to avoid unwanted side effects. One of the potential sources for new treatment is CBD.

Gut health can be a touchy subject. Especially for the approximately 15% of the developed world that suffers from some form of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms.

2020 study conclusion

(Source US National Library of Medicine)

"Although the pathophysiology of IBS remains unclear, targeting the ECS may represent a promising strategy to modulate gut motility, visceral hyperalgesia, low-grade intestinal inflammation, and gut–brain axis alteration, all features that may improve IBS symptoms onset. It is also evident that both an IBS-diet and a stress-relief practice are required to boost the beneficial effects of any of the agents suggested.

In light of this, agents capable of modulating the ECS may provide a strategy worth attempting even first line treatment for IBS patients. This is due to the fact that compounds such as PEA, CBD and peppermint oil display a very large safety profile and have been proving beneficial to improve IBS symptoms; PEA, peppermint oil, THC and its synthetic analogs may be recommended in IBS patients to improve abdominal spasms, cramps and visceral pain. THC and CBD may alter ECS-driven response to the pathology. However, there is still a wide gap in the current understanding of IBS mechanism and in the use of cannabis containing both CBD and THC as potential therapy, which can only be bridged by randomized clinical trials."