CBD for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)? Studies suggest that the era of prescription drugs may soon be over.
What causes IBD?
The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but IBD is the result of a defective immune system. A properly functioning immune system attacks foreign organisms, such as viruses and bacteria, to protect the body. In IBD, the immune system responds incorrectly to environmental triggers, which causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. There also appears to be a genetic component—someone with a family history of IBD is more likely to develop this inappropriate immune response.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an increasingly prevalent bowel disorder. It scores the highest occurrence rate in developed countries such as the UK and the US. In Australia, IBD is becoming more prevalent, more complex, and more severe, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers report. It affects approximately 1 in 250 people aged 5-40. Almost 75,000 Australians have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, with this number projected to increase to 100,000 by 2022.
IBD is an inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. It includes two specific conditions: Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Both of them affect 1.4 million Americans and even more UK citizens. Plus, as many as 40% to 60% of people with IBD have symptoms of IBS. Because of the severe inflammation that occurs in the digestive tract, IBD can pose a high threat to mortality.
So far, there is no exact cure for IBD. Most doctors use conventional methods that only mask the symptoms. However, the improvement of a patient’s well-being, at the same time, is arguable.
Common symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Symptoms of IBD include:
- severe diarrhea
- weight loss
- fatigue
- severe abdominal cramping
- nausea
- rectal bleeding
- malnourishment
- eye inflammation
Why do pharmaceutical medications lack efficacy?
With conventional methods, inflammation subsides for an unpredictable period of time. This is known as “remission” of the disease. Nonetheless, the illness is still very much present within the body and can come back at any time.
Not only do conventional methods lack effectiveness but they can also include negative side effects, especially with long-term use. Hopefully, it seems that IBD patients can finally find relief from their symptoms with alternative options, one of which involves using cannabidiol (CBD).
But how exactly does CBD excel at efficacy where pharmaceuticals fail?
First and foremost, CBD is safe for our health!
Why is Cannabidiol safe for IBD?
Perhaps, the most notable aspect of CBD in assisting Inflammatory Bowel Disease sufferers is its safety of use.
CBD naturally occurs in the cannabis plant. Reputable manufacturers extract the cannabinoid from the plant using clean and safe methods as well. The premium method to do this is Supercritical CO2 extraction which does not use solvents. Because of this, there is no negative residues and toxins remaining from a second rate extraction method.
Among different forms of cannabidiol applications, you will find CBD oils, CBD capsules, oral sprays, and much more.
Conventional IBD treatment methods typically include harsh medications that suppress the immune system. As a result, inflammation fades away but only temporarily. This is because IBD affects is an autoimmune condition.
Simply put, for some unknown reason, the immune system attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation and damage, time and time again.
Additionally, these medications may involve severe side effects. Suppressed immunity increases exposure to illnesses such as colds, flu, and more.
Sadly it is all of this without any guarantee of remission.
CBD Vs Medications
CBD options come with little to no negative side effects. In the worst-case scenario, you can experience a dry mouth that dissipates once you figure out the optimal dosage. You can read more about CBD oil and its potential side effects here.
For many IBD patients, the fear of the medication itself is extremely stressful. Some people believe that the side effects of the treatment can worsen their mental health, which is a dangerous mix in any case of an auto immune-compromised person.
Autoimmune disorders are often difficult to cure and persistent drug use may lead to antibiotic resistance. This is because antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications are still the most convenient options to lower the complications relating to IBD.
This is another reason that explains why many people are welcoming CBD as a promising alternative to over-the-counter drugs and prescription options.
How can IBD patients benefit from using CBD?
Unlike conventional options, CBD regimens are highly adjustable and adaptable to every individual. This is preferable to the one size fits all approach of most pharmaceutical medications. It makes sense that as an individual, CBD can cater to the unique needs of your endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its deficiencies.
When it comes to consumption methods, CBD oil can be given orally for long-term applications. Additionally, there are capsules and pleasant-tasting gummies, and oral spray with a wide range of bioavailabilities for acute and intermittent symptoms. The primary purpose of CBD in IBD care is to directly support and help the inflamed colon and subdue secondary inflammations with time.
CBD hemp oil: It’s a strong anti-inflammatory
CBD can be an aid by naturally decreasing and, eventually, eliminating inflammation in the digestive tract, which is the keynote for lessening and providing symptomatic relief for IBD. What bolsters the effects of cannabidiol is the presence of both omega fatty acids and gamma-linoleic acid – a natural anti-inflammatory.
Because inflammation affects other bodily functions, such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, etc., using CBD can alleviate these secondary conditions as well. Yes, CBD is a multi-tasker. You do not need multiple chemical compounds to do the job when you have CBD oil!
CBD is also a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent.
Research has shown that individuals suffering from IBD have a disturbed ratio of bacteria and fungi in the gut. This produces a toxic coating on the digestive tract. As a result, it attacks the immune system and gives rise to inflammation.
With the antibacterial and antifungal properties of CBD, the cannabinoid may help bring the bacteria/fungi ratio back to more balanced levels and return the bowel to a healthy state. In turn, the symptoms and trauma of IBD are lessened, and real relief is sustained.
CBD improves the immune system
The gut holds 80% of the human immune cells. It is also connected directly to the brain via the vagal nerve, which is a highway to inform your system about certain disorders.
Since IBD affects the immune system, the assistance of CBD is proving successful against the tolling symptoms.
Why is that?
Cannabidiol directly interacts with regional immune cells and the vagal nerve. Furthermore, its therapeutic properties impact messages sent between the gut and the brain. As a result, CBD may reduce nausea, abdominal pain, and soothe the digestive tract reducing the number of trips to the bathroom.
With so many health benefits of using CBD, the research is revealing positive notes about its role in Inflammatory Bowel Disease treatment. Let’s hope for more dialogue within the professional medical community!
Here’s What CCF America says about CBD for Inflammatory Bowel Disease treatment.
Even though CBD products are completely non-psychoactive, the Crohn’s-Colitis Foundation of America has issued statements that do not support the use of cannabis products despite their success.
However, as the cannabis revolution gains pace, even the skeptics are coming around and showing interest. There is no denying thatCBD products are making a pretty big splash in the medical industry. And dragging the most die-hard of medical communities kicking and screaming with it.
The final note
Yes, scientists still need to do more research with regard to CBD for Inflammatory Bowel Disease treatment. Hopefully, the next few years should bring the winds of change to the medical world, and one day CBD may become an officially acknowledged alternative to pharmaceuticals.
Have you or do you use CBD to manage your IBD symptoms? Does it work for you and what consumption method is best? Let us know.