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Whether you’re a cannabis user or not, you’ve undoubtedly heard all the buzz about THC, CBD and the positive influences these kinds of cannabinoids can have on our health & wellbeing. People are turning to cannabis in its many forms for every kind of malady like joint pain, sleep deprivation, nausea, energy and focus. As the list of our daily ailments continues to grow we’re finding more and more ways to incorporate cannabis into our lives. This is especially true when you consider how popular and widespread CBD (Cannabidiol) has become.
CBD, whether sourced from cannabis or hemp, is looked to by many healthcare professionals, fitness trainers, and natural health product enthusiasts all over the world. Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) both have their advantages and disadvantages, but one special trait of CBD has led millions of people to try it over any other cannabinoid: CBD is non-psychoactive. What does this mean? THC is well-documented in its capacities to cause mind altering effects, hallucinations and feelings of anxiety or stress. CBD not only has no associated “high” when consumed, it can actually work to counteract the effects of THC when taken in combination.
You might be a CBD superfan like millions of other people around the globe, or you might be a cannabis-purist who understands their THC tolerance and isn’t afraid to include this potent phytocompound in their daily routine. Regardless of what side of the fence you stand on, both THC and CBD can benefit you in a number of ways.
One way in which a lot of no shortage of people are suffering from stomach pain, bloating, gas, nausea and a host of other gut related issues. Anxiety, stress, diet or genetic disorders can cause dozens of stomach ailments with hundreds of varying symptoms. Cannabinoids can affect the digestive system and gastrointestinal system in some profound ways.
What is the relationship between THC, CBD and gut bacteria? Do cannabinoids affect the digestive system? What are the best edibles for stomach pain, bloating and other gastrointestinal conditions? As we trust our gut to make decisions, let’s trust in cannabis as we explore the benefits of THC & CBD for gut health and digestive system function.
THC, CBD AND GUT BACTERIA
Have you ever wondered about the relationship between cannabinoids like THC or CBD and gut bacteria? Is it even possible for cannabinoids to affect the digestive system? It’s not a simple ‘true or false’ answer because like the diversity among cannabis cultivars, your gut bacterium is a bustling metropolis. Before we go picking the best edibles for your stomach pain, bloating or nausea we need to understand how cannabinoids interact with your gastrointestinal system.
Your gut biome is incredibly important for your health – a fact that is often overlooked by many in their efforts to be healthy, fit and happy. The microorganisms that make up your gut flora number in the billions, comprising four major types: firmicutes, bacteroidetes, actinobacteria and proteobacteria. These bacteria and others work to regulate nutrition/energy derived from food, maintain a functional immune system and strengthen or protect your gut barrier.
If you’ve ever read some of our previous articles about the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), then you might’ve recognized this kind of central, synergistic kind of influence that the gut can have on our wellbeing. Similarly, your ECS affects many areas of your brain & body, and manipulating your endocannabinoid system through ingestion/absorption of cannabinoids will lead to certain effects.
The human endocannabinoid system is known to influence many vital organs and important bodily functions, but are there any interactions between THC, CBD and gut bacteria? Your ECS has been shown to affect the gut barrier, intestinal functionality and the overall efficiency of your gastrointestinal system. Several studies have demonstrated that including certain cannabinoids in treatments of the gut alongside probiotics can result in improved gut barrier integrity and greater permeability of the intestines and/or bowels.
In addition to moderating gut functionality, THC/CBD and gut bacteria levels have been shown to have a direct relationship. For example, certain gut microorganisms associated with fat storage – and therefore the potential for obesity – can be influenced by THC ingestion. This particular gut flora, A. muciniphila, impacts metabolism, fat storage and weight loss. THC was linked with increased levels of this bacteria which had the positive results of stabilizing metabolism and managing weight levels.
This is just one example of many direct relations between cannabinoid ingestion and the gut biome. Cannabis does need to be dosed carefully to manage its potential psychoactivity. When taken correctly, it not only is directly linked to balancing certain gut microorganisms but also provides relief from pain, inflammation, nausea and fatigue.
CANNABINOIDS AFFECT THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: TRUE OR FALSE?
Cannabinoids affect the digestive system in a number of ways, not just causing you to feel the overwhelming pangs of the munchies. How do cannabinoids affect the digestive system and gut directly? Remember the two primary receptors in your ECS? The CB1 and CB2 receptors govern a wide variety of functions such as immunity, cell regeneration, tissue strength/sensitivity, and vital organ functionality. The CB1 receptor has some particular influences over your gut and bowels, modulating nervous function or tissue health.
Not only does your ECS influence your gastrointestinal system from a functionality standpoint, it also can lead to a lot less discomforts like pain or inflammation – symptoms that millions of people around the world are all too familiar with. Perhaps the most profound way in which THC or CBD affect your gut, stomach and bowels involves this exact kind of treatment.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), spastic colons, Crohn’s disease, gastroesophegal disease (GERD) or just plain stomach cramps or gas can be quite painful. On top of not being able to eat properly, these kinds of aching, sick feeling guts, stomachs and bowels can negatively impact your fitness, sleep, work and social lives.
It’s impossible to ignore these kinds of conditions, and you have to be very careful what you take to soothe the symptoms of your GI condition because many things can cause intense reactions when your main mode of absorption is the stomach. Cannabis oils, capsules or edibles can provide some direct relief to painful, inflamed guts and bowels. Beyond its capacity to reduce soreness and swelling, cannabinoids can ease bouts of nausea, stimulate appetite, or relax cramping related to stress or anxiety.
In very few, very rare cases several people have experienced persistent bouts of nausea after consuming large quantities of cannabis for long periods of time. This condition known as ‘cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome’ includes sudden, intense urges to vomit or a feeling of queasiness that leads people to want to bathe excessively. While very strange – and thankfully rare to-date – this cannabis-induced condition can be quite debilitating. Cannabinoid hyperemesis is thought to be linked to the equally rare and confounding “cannabis allergies”, but more study is required to explore the potential of this theory.
Cannabinoids affect the digestive system and gut in predominantly positive ways. Smoking cannabis can provide relief from cramps, bloating, nausea and others but if you’re suffering from acute GI conditions then a cannabis oil or capsule might be more appropriate. Edibles are another great option for quelling gastrointestinal discomforts, especially when you consider how versatile this form of cannabis can be. Let’s check out some of the best edibles for stomach pain and bloating, including some you can buy online and others you can make at home.
THE BEST EDIBLES FOR STOMACH PAIN & BLOATING
There isn’t just one best edible for stomach pain, bloating or nausea – every kind of cannabis product can potentially work just as well for you as others. Cannabis efficacy, cannabinoid tolerance and your overall cannabis experiences are very personal and linked directly to your unique genetic profile, health and fitness. So, it’s not necessarily important what you consume, moreso how you consume it (i.e. how often, what dose, etc).
Whenever we say “cannabis edibles” you’re probably picturing pot cookies, weed brownies, canna chocolates and marijuana candies, right? The term ‘edibles’ might be a little misleading because cannabis edibles aren’t just limited to treats or snacks.
Cannabis edibles today can come in the form of THC/CBD juice or smoothies, cannabutter, cannabis-infused cuisine and much more variety. Basically, if you can think of it, you can pair cannabinoids with it and make anything ingestible into one of the best edibles for stomach pain and inflammation.
Need some inspiration or looking to get your hands one some edibles for GI conditions? Here are a handful of the awesome cannabis edibles selection from Haute Health. We included some cannabis oils because certain high-potency oils are great for easing nausea, soothing aches or swelling in your gut and bowels. The same goes for capsules, because if you’re having stomach pains it might not be a good idea to chow down on some weed brownies and risk upsetting your GI system any further.
We hope that this article has helped you to discover a cannabis product that can help you or your loved ones with their gastrointestinal conditions. As always, be careful when taking your first doses of a new kind of cannabis product – even if the THC or CBD values match what you’ve tried in the past, sometimes a product will hit you differently. Have a safe and sunny summer, and put your gut issues in the past with some regular doses of cannabis edibles.
150 MG THC INFUSED POT LEAF GUMMIES
1000 MG PURE CBD ISOLATE TINCTURE
