Compare the Best CBD Oil for IBS in 2022

How CBD May Help With IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine⁽¹⁾. Common symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, cramping, gas, and bloating. Symptoms may also include diarrhea or constipation, or both.

 Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, is a compound present in the cannabis plant. CBD does not affect one’s locomotor activity, memory, or body temperature on its own, unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)⁽²⁾. 

THC is the predominant psychoactive constituent of cannabis (sometimes called marijuana).  

CBD and THC work with the ECS (endocannabinoid system), actively controlling gut homeostasis or balance. These compounds interact with the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) found in almost every part of the body^(3-4). 

The activation of CB1 receptors attenuates small and large bowel muscle tone and inhibits gastrointestinal motility⁽⁵⁾. Targeting CB2 receptors decreases inflammation by reducing cytokine and chemokine production from activated immune cells. 

Cytokines and chemokines are signaling proteins that play a significant role in controlling inflammation⁽⁶⁾. 

In a study, researchers hypothesized that CBD and THC are among the agents capable of modulating the ECS activities that may be useful to improve other IBS symptoms like motility, visceral pain, and low-grade inflammation⁽⁷⁾. 

It is believed that plant-based cannabinoids like CBD and THC may mimic the actions of endocannabinoids⁽⁸⁾. 

Endocannabinoids are naturally-occurring chemical substances in the body that bind to cannabinoid receptors to signal that the ECS needs to take action. 

Research suggests that clinical endocannabinoid deficiency is an underlying cause of IBS, migraine, and fibromyalgia, a medical condition that triggers pain all over the body⁽⁹⁾.  

Although there is a limited study examining how CBD may help with IBS, its activity in the ECS, may help with such a condition.

Nevertheless, more research is warranted to elucidate CBD’s efficacy on irritable bowel syndrome. 

Benefits of Using CBD for IBS

Current research from the International Journal of Molecular Sciences examined how CBD and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids may help prevent and treat GI (gastrointestinal) disorders, including IBS⁽¹⁰⁾.  

Main alterations observed in IBS include GI motility disturbances⁽¹¹⁾. GI motility is the movement of food from the mouth through the throat, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and out of the body.

It is believed that modulation of the ECS may benefit IBS patients⁽¹²⁾.

A 2020 study from Frontiers in Neurosciences suggested that targeting the ECS may be a promising strategy to modulate gut motility and low-grade intestinal inflammation, improving IBS symptoms onset⁽¹³⁾. 

Hence, researchers hypothesized that agents capable of modulating the ECS, such as CBD, may provide a potential first-line treatment for IBS patients⁽¹⁴⁾.

Another 2020 study from the journal Antioxidants examined CBD’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties⁽¹⁵⁾. 

One of the most predominant CBD antioxidant effects is the reduction of protein and lipid modifications⁽¹⁶⁾. 

CBD may reduce lipid peroxidation, a process wherein free radicals attack lipids containing carbon-carbon double bonds, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids⁽¹⁷⁾.   

Carbon-carbon double bonds are found in naturally occurring fatty acids. 

Meanwhile, polyunsaturated fatty acids include omega-3 and omega-6 fats, which are essential fatty acids that the body requires for cell growth and brain function⁽¹⁸⁾. 

A study from Medical Science Monitor suggested that lipid peroxidation and alterations in the oxidant-antioxidant enzymatic system may have a significant role in the development of IBS⁽¹⁹⁾. 

The findings showed that elevated lipid peroxidation levels observed in IBS patients may be explained by an increased xanthine oxidase activity and decreased antioxidant enzyme activity⁽²⁰⁾. 

Xanthine oxidase is an enzyme that generates ROS (reactive oxygen species). Meanwhile, antioxidant enzymes can stabilize or deactivate free radicals before attacking cellular components.  

Studies show that CBD is an agonist of A2A (adenosine) receptors, which are G-protein coupled receptors that regulate inflammatory processes⁽²¹⁾. 

Researchers believe that CBD may prevent oxidative stress by activating the A2A receptors⁽²²⁾. 

Oxidative stress refers to a phenomenon triggered by an imbalance between the production and accumulation of ROS in cells and the ability of a biological system to detoxify the reactive products. 

A 2020 study mentioned that oxidative stress may be correlated to several IBS symptoms⁽²³⁾.

In addition, a study by Ethan B. Russo, MD, suggested that cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, may help manage difficult to treat pain⁽²⁴⁾.  

IBS chronic pain is linked to alterations in bowel movement⁽²⁵⁾. The chronic abdominal pain in IBS starts in the gut then travels to the brain, which interprets the sensation as pain. 

The findings of these studies may be promising. Still, more longitudinal research is necessary to determine the benefits of using CBD for IBS.      

CBD Usage Guideline for IBS

There are different ways you can take CBD for IBS. The most common CBD delivery methods are as follows⁽²⁶⁾:

• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Sublingual (under the tongue)
• Topical absorption
• Transdermal (active ingredients are delivered across the skin for systematic distribution) 

Ingesting CBD is a good option for individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel conditions, such as IBS or IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) since the compound will be delivered right to where it is needed most⁽²⁷⁾. 

CBD edibles are available in oil, gummies, and capsules. 

The liver processes anything that goes into the stomach before it is used by the body⁽²⁸⁾. This process is called first-pass metabolism. 

First-pass metabolism refers to the metabolic process by which active compounds pass through the gastrointestinal system and are metabolized by the liver before they become available in the bloodstream⁽²⁹⁾.

Cannabinoids, like CBD and THC that move through the digestive tract, are chemically distinct. Their bioavailability is usually different from those that enter the body via other delivery methods⁽³⁰⁾.   

Bioavailability is the extent to which a particular drug becomes entirely available to its intended biological destinations. 

Aside from holding CBD oil under your tongue, you can add the oil to your food or beverage. Fatty foods are ideal for increasing bioavailability⁽³¹⁾. 

A 2019 research study from the University of Minnesota hypothesized that high-fat foods may increase oral CBD absorption into the body⁽³²⁾.  

CBD Dosage

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not approved CBD to treat IBS. Therefore, there is no standard CBD dosage for IBS.

However, it has been shown that mid-range doses of CBD between 10mg and 100mg daily may help with pain, inflammation, and conditions such as autoimmune disorders and inflammatory bowel syndrome⁽³³⁾. 

Still, make sure to consult a healthcare professional experienced in cannabis use for accurate CBD dosing. They may also suggest the types of CBD you may try for IBS or overall wellness. 

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With IBS?

How long CBD takes to help with IBS depends on the route of administration used and several other factors like body weight and CBD potency. 

Usually, you can feel the effects of CBD within 30 to 90 minutes via the ingestion method⁽³⁴⁾. 

How Long Will CBD Help With IBS?

How long CBD lasts to help with IBS depends on the bioavailability. 

The bioavailability of CBD via the ingestion method is between 6% and 15%⁽³⁵⁾. Depending on a person’s gastrointestinal tract, absorption can be both slow and inconsistent⁽³⁶⁾. 

How to Choose the Right CBD for IBS

CBD products are available in tinctures, vapes, edibles like gummies, and topicals like lotions.

However, choosing the right CBD product for IBS can be challenging, given the number of CBD companies claiming to have the best CBD oil in the market.  

Below are pertinent pieces of information to help you choose high-quality CBD products for IBS and overall gut health:

1. Know about the different CBD extracts. You may choose full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil, or CBD isolates. 

A full-spectrum CBD oil product contains all of the compounds of the cannabis plant, including CBD and other cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils, and flavonoids. 

A full-spectrum CBD is known to provide the entourage effect due to the presence of all these cannabis compounds. Its THC concentration is also less than 0.3%⁽³⁷⁾. 

When all the compounds work together, they induce the entourage effect.

The entourage effect is the concept wherein the biologically active compounds of cannabis work better when administered together. 

Terpenes are aromatic compounds present in cannabis and many other plants. 

Flavonoids are phytonutrients (plant chemicals) that have been suggested to exhibit biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral actions⁽³⁸⁾. 

A broad-spectrum CBD oil is similar to full-spectrum CBD. However, it is nearly THC-free⁽³⁹⁾. Lastly, CBD isolates are made of pure CBD. 

1. Support CBD brands that are transparent with their farming practices. Ensure that a third-party lab tested all their products for consistency and potency.

You should also check the COA (certificate of analysis), which indicates whether a product contains harmful contaminants.

1. Learn about carrier oils. Carrier oils are the products used to dilute essential oils. The most commonly utilized carrier oils for CBD include coconut oil and hempseed oil⁽⁴⁰⁾.  

Although most people use the terms hemp oil and hempseed oil interchangeably, they are different from each other.

Hemp oil (a tem often used to refer to CBD oil) is an essential oil that comes from the flowers and leaves of hemp plants. 

Meanwhile, hempseed oil is made from the pressed seeds of hemp. 

Hempseed oil is rich in fatty acids and nutrients. However, it does not contain CBD⁽⁴¹⁾.   

The Potential Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for IBS

According to WHO (World Health Organization), CBD is generally safe and is well tolerated in humans and animals⁽⁴²⁾. Still, CBD may carry some risks and minor side effects, such as⁽⁴³⁾: 

• Fatigue
• Dry mouth
• Reduced appetite
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea 

A common symptom of IBS is diarrhea⁽⁴⁴⁾. Since CBD may cause diarrhea in some people, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider and ask for medical advice before trying CBD. Doing so can help you avoid unpleasant side effects. 

If you are either expecting or breastfeeding, you should not take CBD. 

The FDA strongly advises against the use of CBD, THC, and marijuana in any form during pregnancy or while breastfeeding⁽⁴⁵⁾.

According to the FDA, traces of CBD may be transferred to babies through breast milk⁽⁴⁶⁾. 

In addition, an animal study from the International Journal of Andrology indicated that maternal exposure to psychoactive and non-psychoactive components of marijuana may produce long-term disruption of testicular function in male fetuses⁽⁴⁷⁾.  

Legality of CBD

The 2018 Farm Bill indicates that Cannabis sativa L. and other derivatives of cannabis with less than 0.3% THC content on a dry weight basis are deemed legal under federal law⁽⁴⁸⁾. 

Still, you must review various state laws regarding the use of CBD or medical marijuana to avoid possible legal repercussions. Remember that each state may impose different rules and regulations. 

For instance, although marijuana use is legal in Colorado, individuals who take medical marijuana may still be arrested for impaired driving⁽⁴⁹⁾. If they drive with five nanograms of THC per milliliter of whole blood, they can face legal charges for DUI (driving under the influence). 

Moreover, individuals must keep their cannabis products within the borders of Colorado⁽⁵⁰⁾. They cannot bring those items to areas like federal lands, including national parks and forests, and Denver International Airport.