As we head into this New Year, many of us have health improvements on the mind. As we consider gym memberships, new recipes, and the seemingly impossible feat of how to get more sleep – one thing we should remember to keep in mind is our gut health.
Our gut health is a complex ecosystem, composed of over 1,000 microorganisms. These microorganisms have significant roles in our daily energy uptake by breaking down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. They also impact our immune system and imbalances of the gut may contribute to weight fluctuations, obesity, food sensitivity and more.
In addition, you may be familiar with the brain-gut connection (sometimes referred to as gut-brain), which helps us to understand how functional bowel problems and bowel disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may be responsible for sending signals to the central nervous system that trigger mood changes, leading to anxiety and depression.
How may cannabinoid therapy help improve our gut health?
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) performs protective activities in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract and shows promise as a therapeutic target against bowel disorders such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel disease (IBD), and motility-related conditions. The main role of the ECS in the GI tract is controlling intestinal hyper-contractility, modulating visceral sensations, intestinal inflammation, and gut-brain communication.
A significant population of individuals suffering with IBD use cannabis to relieve symptoms of pain, nausea, and appetite, as well as to improve their overall mood. THC has been shown through anecdotal evidence to improve abdominal spasms, cramps, and visceral pain; whereas CBD may contribute to the relief of intestinal inflammation, modulating cortisol and metabolism, improve the immune response of the gut, and alleviate the anxiety and stress associated with gastrointestinal discomfort. In a 2021 review of 682 studies of cannabinoid use for IBD patients, clinical symptoms (abdominal pain, general well-being, nausea, diarrhea, and poor appetite) were all improved with cannabinoid therapy.
As more research becomes available for additional cannabinoids, we further our understanding of the benefits this plant may provide. For example, CBG may reduce effects of IBD and the development and growth of colon cancer. CBDA shows promise by inhibiting vomiting induced by toxins and possibly reducing involuntary vomiting.
We invite you to read client stories and share yours through research if you have had success on your wellness journey with cannabinoid therapy. While preliminary studies confirm the assumption that the ECS is a promising therapeutic target for bowel disorders and the mood disorders that may follow, additional clinical research is necessary to explore the efficacy of these cannabinoids, as well as how to best administer so that therapy is most effective.
If you have any questions about this topic, a Realm of Caring Care Specialist is here to help. Call us at 719-347-5400 option 1, email us at info@realmofcaring.org, or visit our website and sign up for a free client account at www.realmofcaring.org.
Disclaimer
The Realm of Caring Foundation specifically invokes the first amendment rights of freedom of speech and of the press without prejudice. These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. the products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. Realm of Caring always recommends when and wherever possible that licensed local healthcare professionals be consulted.
The Realm of Caring Foundation is an independent nonprofit with its own governing board. We do not produce or sell cannabinoid products, nor do we receive funds from the sale of other company’s products.
