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Condition

Gastrointestinal disease

CBD for Gastrointestinal disease

During digestion, your body breaks down food into nutrients it can absorb and use as energy. However, when an error occurs in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract—the internal pathway that facilitates this process—the consequences can be extremely uncomfortable. Disorders in this region of your body can manifest in a number of ways, ranging from abdominal pain caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to chronic conditions associated with Crohn’s disease.

Gastrointestinal disorders are relatively common in the United States. For instance, it’s estimated that approximately 15 percent of Americans suffer from IBS, the most common disease diagnosed by gastroenterologists. Still, individuals can combat some of their most unpleasant symptoms with a proactive approach focusing on diet, exercise, medication, and pain management.

Gastrointestinal Disease Symptoms

When the digestive system suffers from gastrointestinal diseases, symptoms can include:

Based on the nature of the digestive tract, gastrointestinal disorders can range in their severity, from manageable discomfort to chronic illness.

Gastrointestinal Disease Types

There are many types of disorders and diseases that occur within the GI tract. Some of the most common and disruptive are:

Colon polyps and cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second most prevalent form of cancer in the United States. However, it’s also among the most curable. Symptoms are initially difficult to detect, but may ultimately manifest as blood in one’s stool, shifting bowel habits, abdominal pain and excessive tiredness.
Colitis. Taking the form of infectious colitis, ulcerative Colitis, ischemic colitis, radiation colitis or Crohn’s disease, these types of GI tract disorders can cause rectal bleeding, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
Irritable bowel syndrome. When the colon muscle contracts more frequently than necessary, individuals may suffer from abdominal pain, excess gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. This is a collection of symptoms that may be caused by IBS, one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases in the country—and one of the most manageable, through changes in lifestyle and diet.
Diverticular disease. When diverticular disease causes small outpouchings to gather in the large intestine, areas of the bowel are weakened. This disorder is relatively common and does not generally cause symptoms.

Causes

Because the range of gastrointestinal disorders is so broad, it can be difficult to pinpoint exact causes that span them all. Additionally, the causes of some gastrointestinal diseases—such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—remain unknown. However, potential causes have been identified for other conditions:

Tissue cell abnormalities. When polyphs surrounding the colon are invaded by abnormal cells, they may become cancerous. If tissue is invaded by cancerous cells and is not removed, a patient may suffer from colon cancer.
Nervous system coordination. For gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS, some physicians speculate that errors in signal coordination between the brain and the digestive system may be a cause of the colon muscle’s overactive contractions.
Diet and allergens. The symptoms associated with some gastrointestinal disorders, such as celiac disease and IBS, can be triggered by the intake of certain foods, such as gluten and caffeine. While these dietary triggers do not necessarily cause the diseases themselves, the role they play in activating symptoms is notable.

Treatment

Some gastrointestinal disorders can be treated with medication. But many individuals living with these conditions focus on limiting triggering foods and allergens, adjusting elements of their lifestyle, and managing pain on a daily basis.

Adjustments in diet. The symptoms associated with gastrointestinal orders including diverticular disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and many others may all be triggered by the intake of certain foods. For instance, allergens such as gluten, excessive caffeine, or insufficient levels of roughage fiber can each contribute to painful flare-ups for individuals living with various gastrointestinal conditions. Strategic nutritional changes can help a patient manage their discomfort and avoid symptoms.
Proactive screenings. Colorectal cancer, one gastrointestinal disease, is most effectively treated when caught early. However, because many of the symptoms do not manifest until the disease has progressed, it is imperative that patients schedule routine screenings to monitor for signs of abnormalities.
Proactive pain management. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound that comes from the cannabis plant. It’s non-psychoactive, meaning CBD doesn’t impair or interfere with the brain, and is thought to help some individuals who experience physical pain.

CBD for Gastrointestinal Disease

Research & Scientific Evidence

Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol, Cannabidiolic Acid, and Cannabidiolic Acid Methyl Ester as Treatments for Nausea and Vomiting

Treatment of cancer with chemotherapy or radiotherapy is effective, but causes a number of side effects. Nausea and vomiting are often reported in cancer patients despite taking available antiemetics. In 2021, a review of available studies was published, which tried to find an effective alternative to anti-emetics.

Many studies have been published, which show that cannabis is highly effective in combating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. However, in these cases, cannabis contained a high concentration of intoxicating THC. Physicians treating cancer patients are encouraging the use of cannabis varieties containing low amounts of THC to avoid unwanted side effects. According to data from in vitro and in vivo studies, CBD, CBDA, CBDA-ME work similarly to the classical compounds contained in antiemetic preparations. These cannabinoids lead to a reduction in the disease-inducing 5-HT by acting on the 5-HT1A receptor. In addition, CBD and CBDA may have a beneficial effect on tumor cell migration and survival on their own and act in synergy with chemotherapeutic agents. Co-administration of low doses of CBD or CBDA with other antiemetics may be an effective antiemetic strategy, and taking a low dose of CBD on a daily basis increases its effectiveness in the long term. The review included a case of two patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy who had beneficial effects in relieving nausea.

The results of the study in the review suggest that taking preparations with a high content of CBD and CBDA is a promising method of combating the adverse effects of chemotherapy treatment, such as nausea and vomiting. Randomised and controlled studies are needed to learn more about the use of CBD in the treatment of gastric discomfort.