Cannabis has been used to promote healthy living conditions for centuries. Cannabis contains multiple properties that make it beneficial during the healing process. You also don’t have to be necessarily ill to use cannabis. It can also help regulate a healthy sleep schedule. With the long list of conditions, it can help treat, cannabis can help with your digestion. Cannabis and a healthy digestive system are completely possible for many people.
Depending on what a person is experiencing, and if they suffer from digestive disorders, cannabis can be a great addition to their treatment plan.
Cannabis and A Healthy Digestive System
For centuries, marijuana has been used for medicinal reasons. It uses cannabinoids to help alleviate chronic pain, as well as other symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Adminsitration (FDA) had approved specific cannabis products for chemotherapy-induced symptoms and to stimulate appetite in patients suffering from AIDs.
Medical cannabis has been a growing topic of discussion and interest. Most states in the U.S. allow some form of medical marijuana programs for select medical patients. A lot of patients prefer to rely on marijuana as a natural remedy rather than other forms of prescription drugs.
The digestive system is a complex and delicate system and uses the endocannabinoid system to function. Endocannabinoids (also known as endogenous cannabinoids) are similar cannabinoids but are made by the body. For some people, introducing extra cannabinoids to their endocannabinoid system can help regulate and treat certain gastrointestinal disorders.
CBD v.s. THC
It’s important to understand the difference between these two cannabinoids in order to understand the effect cannabis can have on one’s digestive system. CBD and THC and the two most well-known types of cannabinoids in cannabis. For those who don’t know, cannabinoids are chemical substances of the cannabis plant.
THC creates the psychoactive effect usually recognized as being “high”. Many people tend to have a relaxed and even euphoric sensation while on marijuana. Additional feelings people report having are a heightened sensory perception, an increase in appetite, and a slower reaction. THC creates a sense of euphoria because it binds with the cannabinoid 1 receptors in the brain.
CBD does not have similar psychoactive effects as THC. CBD is recognized and used much more by medical professionals and companies. In fact, it can help reduce the unpleasant side effects sometimes induced by THC. These can include anxiety or paranoia. CBD has extremely relaxing effects. It has also been effectively used to treat seizures.
Cannabis & Inflammation in the Digestive System
Most chronic gut issues can be traced back to a problem of inflammation. Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, and even Crohn’s disease involve some kind of uncontrollable inflammation. Inflammation is usually a sign that the immune system is either hard at work or simply attacking and damaging the gut.
Chronic digestive issues can eventually lead to other problems, such as food allergies and hypersensitivity, bowel irregularities, low energy, and overall pain.
The cause of digestive issues and inflammation can vary. It can range from genetics, nutrition, or even chronic stress. It’s important to catch these issues early on by consulting with doctors when noticing problems with your digestive system.
Cannabis can be very helpful when treating inflammation in the digestive system. Thanks to the active compounds THC and CBD, cannabis has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Whether you’re smoking cannabis or consuming tinctures to help with your digestive issues, picking a proper strain is important. Using a CBD:THC ratio of 1:1 provides a proper means of reducing gut inflammation and mitigating the symptoms of digestive conditions.
Cannabis and Digestive System: Potential Risks
Like with anything, too much of a good thing can also be bad. Depending on the individual, cannabis can also have negative effects on a person’s health and digestive system. In extremely rare cases, it can cause serious conditions.
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is one of these rare and debilitating conditions. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome causes cyclic vomiting. Additionally, patients have a compulsive need to bathe in order to relieve the sensations of nausea and need to vomit. It’s only been seen in patients who have used cannabis heavily for several years.
Another condition linked to cannabis is acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The association of cannabis and acute pancreatitis is shaky though. This is due to it also being found in individuals who heavily smoke tobacco for multiple years.
It’s important to consult your primary doctor about your own medical history, and how well you would respond to utilizing medical marijuana. Although cannabis is not inherently harmful, different people have different physical and mental health issues.
