Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most pharmacologically beneficial compound obtained from cannabis. The substance has widely been studied for its numerous medical claims, including the ability to relieve pain, nausea, inflammation, seizures, anxiety, and insomnia.
Some medical researchers and seasoned cannabis users also recommend CBD for improving gut health. But how factual are these claims? Read on to find out.
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Health Benefits of CBD Oil for Your Gut
CBD Oil May Prevent Gut Inflammation
The gut contains scores of microorganisms that aid digestion while also preventing the digestive tract from various chronic illnesses. These microorganisms are known as gut microbiota or gut flora. They include bacteria, microscopic eukaryotes, and archaea.
Now, it’s necessary for the body to maintain a balance of its gut microbiota. An imbalance of these microorganisms, coupled with a suppressed cellular lining and immune system, could open you up to various inflammatory gut diseases. Examples of such conditions include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colitis, and pancreatitis.
Supplementing your diet with cannabidiol oil from reputable brands like CBD Genesis is an excellent way to prevent inflammatory conditions resulting from a compromised gut. CBD oil has proven to be effective at modulating both acute and chronic inflammation. The compound combats inflammation by blocking the production and activation of the proteins involved in setting off the body’s inflammatory responses, including cytokines and interleukins.
CBD Oil May Relieve Gut Pain
Various inflammatory gut diseases, including colitis appendicitis, may result in excruciating pain. However, gut pain could also be caused by other factors, such as constipation and an upset stomach. Fortunately, cannabidiol has been widely researched for its pain-relieving properties.
Cannabidiol combats pain by boosting the efficiency of various receptors involved in transmitting pain signals, such as the capsaicin receptor. CBD also fights gut pain by improving the body’s signaling of neurotransmitters like anandamide.
One of the main reasons medical marijuana doctors recommend cannabidiol oil for treating gut pain is because CBD mainly interacts with a group of endocannabinoid receptors known as CB2 receptors. These receptors happen to be more abundant in the gut than in any other part of the body.
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CBD Oil May Treat Nausea
Feelings of nausea can result from a broad spectrum of factors, including stress, anxiety, and motion sickness. But nausea may also offer a sneak preview into the general health condition of your gut.
For instance, various gut infections like inflammatory bowel disease may produce nausea as one of the symptoms. Nausea might also result from food poisoning as well as food allergies and intolerance. Common culprits include dairy products, eggs, tuna, oysters, potatoes, and leafy greens.
Numerous studies have shown that cannabidiol oil could have antiemetic properties. Most of these studies focus on the role of CBD in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea among cancer patients. That’s especially if used alongside tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
THC is the chemical in marijuana noted for its mind-altering properties. It’s the main cannabis compound that produces the famous ‘high.’
CBD Oil May Boost Metabolism
The gut plays a fundamental role in preventing metabolic disorders like diabetes. One way to keep these disorders at bay is by ramping up the metabolic rate. And that’s another area where cannabidiol oil has demonstrated tremendous promise.
Numerous studies suggest that CBD could power up your metabolism and reduce food intake. As we mentioned, CBD mainly interacts with CB2 receptors, which are relatively widespread in the gut and lymphoid tissue. CB2 receptors play a crucial role in regulating metabolism and food intake.
In one experiment, rats received different doses of CBD injections daily for two weeks. At the end of the study, researchers noted a pronounced improvement in metabolic rate and reduction in body weight among rats that consumed higher doses.
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CBD Oil May Accelerate the Browning of Fat Cells
Fat is a core component of the human diet. Fatty foods are some of the primary energy substrates in the body. But fat is also a risk factor for weight gain and heart disease.
Now, body fat mainly exists in two forms, namely white and brown fat. White fat is the more predominant form. It stores much of the body’s energy while also insulating vital organs, including the gut. However, white fat has been linked to chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
The good news is that it’s possible to convert white fat to the more harmless brown fat. You can do that by working out, getting adequate sleep, taking cold therapy, or using cannabidiol oil. One test-tube study revealed that CBD could accelerate the browning of fat, which is the conversion from white to brown fat cells.
How to Take CBD Oil
There are numerous ways to consume CBD oil. You could smoke-dried hemp flowers, vape CBD-based e-juices, or administer CBD tinctures underneath your tongue. You could also swallow encapsulated CBD pills or add CBD oil to your regular cooking oil.
Whichever way you choose to consume cannabidiol oil, it’s essential to go slow on the compound. It’s a fact that CBD presents fewer worrying symptoms compared to many conventional drugs. However, an overdose has been linked to various side effects, including nausea and dry mouth.
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The Bottom Line
There are various ways cannabidiol may boost your gut health. However, remember that CBD is more effective if used in moderation. It’s also worth noting that cannabidiol is still criminalized in numerous countries worldwide. So, it’s best to check your local laws before using any CBD-based products.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
