Your gut motors a lot from deep inside (Your emotional well-being) to the outside (your skin condition)…and the in-betweens (IBS and Crohn’s disease). Luckily, research shows cannabis, also known as medical marijuana, THC, or CBD can help. But, like with anything, there are pros and cons—so let’s dive in.
How Cannabis Affects the Gut
Your gut is called the “second brain,” because it produces about 95% of the body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood, feeding, sleep, and more. Your gut also has a huge role in maintaining your health: digesting food and absorbing its nutrients, getting rid of toxins. When that goes wrong, you can feel it, from discomfort to pain to serious conditions like Crohn’s disease.
The magic of cannabis is in the way it interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system, otherwise known as the ECS. It is responsible for regulating all kinds of things, including digestion. There are cannabinoids in cannabis—such as CBD and THC—which actually have a say in how your gut behaves. It could reduce your inflammation and your gut’s hypersensitivity, allowing life to be a little bit easier when the gut acts up.
Positives for Cannabis in Gut Health
- Adios, inflammation: Inflammation is literally the root of so many gut problems, especially for those with Crohn’s disease or colitis. CBD is handy for anti-inflammatory efforts. Subduing inflammation may mean that gut-related problems start clearing up without harsh meds.
- Farewell Nausea: If you ever had a bad stomach day, or worse—chemo—you know how debilitating nausea can be. THC has been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting—so for people whose gut problems include feeling queasy all the time, it can be a game changer.
- Calming the Mind – Calming the Gut: We all know that stress can wreak havoc on the gut. If you are someone whose IBS kicks up when anxiety hits, cannabis—especially CBD—might help by lowering the stress and anxiety levels; hence, indirectly, it helps your gut relax.
Cons to Consider
- The THC High: While great for nausea, the high accompanying THC isn’t necessarily everyone’s cup of tea. Some people may feel a little spaced, which is less than stellar if you actually need to get things done during the day.
- Tolerance and Dependence: After a while, you may develop a tolerance and need to use more to get the same effect.
- The Infancy of Research: While piles of anecdotal evidence and some early studies show the benefits of cannabis for the gut, we haven’t quite cracked the code.
Cannabis: A Balanced Approach to Gut Health
If the pros weigh heavier than the cons in your gut, then perhaps it is time for a healthcare provider to help you weigh the best approach. The ways in which one can integrate cannabis into his or her lifestyle are many, from using oils to edibles to disposable vape pens. Do not expect to make your health do a 180 overnight; it’s a tool—it works in harmony with a focus and consistency in changes with nutrition and movement, along with gut-friendly practices.
Mindful consumption of cannabis can be a powerful treatment for inflammation, nausea, and even a stressed-out gut. But it’s not an across-the-board treatment, and it sure isn’t a cure-all. The more you learn about the benefits and the potential downsides, the better decision you are able to make that works just right for you and your gut.
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