Your digestive system helps you break down food and absorb nutrients like proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats, and carbs. When your digestive system works properly, you get the nutrition you need to feel strong and energetic.
But illnesses or chronic conditions can disrupt your digestive process, leaving you with:
- Cramps
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
If your digestive system needs a helping hand, can natural aids like CBD promote healthy digestion? Let’s look at the science!
What is CBD?
If you’re new to CBD, here’s a cheat sheet. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a plant compound found in cannabis and hemp plants.
CBD doesn’t make you “high.” That’s its sister cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)’s job.
Instead, some research indicates that CBD may have anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties, which could prove useful for digestion.
How does CBD affect the digestive system?
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid (ECS) system, a cell-signaling network with receptors throughout your body, including the gut.
While not many people know about the ECS, it’s incredibly important and regulates key bodily functions, like:
- Inflammation
- Sleep
- Mood
- Appetite
- And (yes) digestion
Figure: The ECS in the gastrointestinal tract. Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2022.867267/full
Can CBD help digestive issues?
Maybe! The ECS can influence your gut-brain connection and help your gut maintain internal balance.
In theory, CBD’s potential anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties could also help with gut health issues rooted in inflammation or stress. That said, a lot of the research surrounding CBD and digestion is limited, and science needs to play catch up.
With that in mind, here’s how CBD may address some of the following digestive concerns.
CBD and nausea
If you need relief from nausea, some research indicates that CBD could help. A 2021 research report connected CBD with anti-nausea properties in animals and in a case study of two people with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Just keep in mind that research in humans is limited, and some people can get more nauseous as a side effect of CBD. So, your experience may vary.
CBD and intestinal motility
To digest food, your body needs to move it through your stomach, intestines, and colon. It does this by periodically contracting and relaxing your gut muscles in a process called “intestinal motility.”
Problems with intestinal motility are linked to a number of GI conditions, like:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Acid reflux
- Dyspepsia
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
A 2023 review indicates that CBD may improve intestinal motility. The review assessed 21 studies and concluded that CBD may show promise in supporting intestinal motility.
Most of the included studies assessed CBD in a lab setting, and the handful of studies involving people used widely varying CBD dosages. As a result, we still need more research in humans to confirm these effects.
CBD and weak stomach muscles
Gastroparesis is a GI condition that causes weakened stomach muscles. As a result, food stays in your stomach for longer than it should, which can disrupt your digestion and cause issues like vomiting or trouble finishing meals.
A 2023 trial found that CBD helped with symptoms of gastroparesis. Participants either took up to 20 mg of oral CBD twice per day or a placebo. At the end of the four-week study period, the CBD group experienced significant improvements in their gastroparesis symptoms over the placebo group.
CBD and anxiety
Anxiety can interfere with digestion, thanks to the gut-brain connection. But if you’re prone to stress-related digestive issues, some research suggests that CBD can soothe anxiety.
One 2019 study of adults with anxiety or sleep concerns had participants take a 25 milligram (mg) CBD capsule once a day. Some participants with severe anxiety took either 50 or 75mg. After one month, nearly 80% of those with anxiety concerns reported better results.
Just keep in mind that there wasn’t a non-CBD baseline group. So, we don’t know if the placebo effect could’ve been at play.
Figure: Effects of chronic stress on the endocannabinoid system in the brain. Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4961581/
CBD and acid reflux
Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), causes stomach acid to back up into your esophagus. It can bring a whole host of uncomfortable symptoms, like heartburn, pain when swallowing, and vomiting.
We’ve already covered that CBD may help with intestinal motility, which can play a role in acid reflux.
Several ECS receptors are also located in your esophagus. When stimulated, they can help relax those muscles, soothe inflammation, and limit the production of gastric acid. We know that CBD might indirectly affect these ECS receptors, but we don’t have any research to confirm it can prompt these effects. So, we need more studies to explore the possibilities.
How to choose a CBD product for digestion
If you’re curious to try CBD for digestion, it may seem natural to choose a CBD product that will travel through your digestive tract, like capsules and gummies. Or other CBD-infused food or drinks.
However, some of the studies above used other forms of CBD, like oils taken under your tongue. Since we don’t have enough research to identify the “best form” of CBD for digestion, the choice largely comes down to your personal preference.
Regardless of your preferred form of CBD, choose a brand that third-party tests their CBD and provides a certificate of analysis (COA). These tests confirm the CBD dosage is correct and that it doesn’t contain any contaminants, like pesticides or heavy metals. So, you know exactly what you’re taking.
Lifestyle tips to combine CBD and digestion
To give CBD the best chance to help your gut, remember to combine it with other healthy lifestyle choices, like:
- Eating a well-rounded diet with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Managing your stress through other ways, like mindfulness activities such as meditation or yoga.
- Stimulating your gut muscles through cardio workouts, like walking or cycling.
- Getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night.
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking.
While most people tolerate CBD well, it’s also a good idea to consult a doctor before adding it to your routine.