CBD for UTI - September 2023

What You Need to Know About UTI

Urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria gets into the urinary system, which includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. 

Females are more likely to acquire UTI than males. Infection in the bladder can be excruciating and upsetting. It can also have serious implications when it spreads to the kidneys. ⁽¹⁾

What are the Symptoms?

The lining of the bladder and urethra turns red and sore when one experiences a UTI. This causes pain in the pelvic part of the lower abdomen and lower back. The most common symptom is burning or pain while urinating. 

There is a feeling of an intense need to urinate, but only a few drops are excreted. It is because the bladder is so inflamed that it makes one feel like urinating, even though there is not much urine inside the bladder. The urine of a person with UTI also smells unpleasant.

This condition needs to be treated immediately because a UTI in the bladder can cause a kidney infection that can spread to the bloodstream and cause a more severe health problem. ⁽²⁾

What Are the Risk Factors for Developing a UTI?

• Not drinking ample amount of water 
• Intentionally holding urine for a long time
• Damages or injuries on the spinal cord or other nerves (which makes it hard for the bladder to drain regularly)
• Other complications that obstruct the flow of urine (kidney stone, enlarged prostate, sexual intercourse, etc.)
• Diabetes and other disorders (which limits the capacity of the body’s immune system to battle against infections)⁽³⁾

The cause of a UTI is from a bacteria traveling from the outside of the body near the urethra, into the urethra and then to the bladder. The bacteria originate from the bowel microbiome in most cases unless there has been a catheter placed for some medical reason.

How Can CBD Help Cure UTI?

CBD has wide-ranging activity in terms of reducing inflammation and the damaging effects of free radicals. 

Here is how CBD works to lessen the inflammation we suffer during UTI. Once the urinary tract is infected, our body’s protection mechanism starts to combat this infection. It directs a number of immune cells to the affected part to get rid of any pathogens that may damage the body. This results in inflammation and pain. CBD in Cannabis may have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that may reduce the effect of UTI by lessening the swelling and pain, and may help fight the bacteria that has infiltrated the body. ⁽⁴⁾ It is unclear if CBD alone is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic or if it needs to be in a cocktail with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol THC, the psychoactive component of Cannabis.

CBD, used in conjunction with THC, increases the endocannabinoid 2-ag, which reduces the number of immune cells being sent out. CBD not only helps with inflammation but can also help with treating pain. CBD also raises the endocannabinoid anandamide, which helps in reducing your pain sensitivity. ⁽⁵⁾

CBD, used in conjunction, with THC may also be a powerful antibacterial that can help destroy some of the most drug-resistant bacteria. It has been promoted for a wide range of health benefits and can be used as a treatment for people with UTI. A study reveals that CBD is remarkably effective in killing bacteria, including those responsible for many severe infections, such as staphylococci and streptococci. ⁽⁶⁾

Conclusion

Urinary tract infections are quite common, extremely painful, and uncomfortable. Some cases lead to more serious conditions. One must know how to spot UTI symptoms and get antibiotics before they get too serious. Cannabis alone is not the first-line therapy but may serve as a useful preventative measure in those who suffer from recurrent UTIs.

CBD has emerged as a solution to a variety of medical conditions and CBD work continues to grow and validate its effectiveness across a wide variety of health concerns, including its impact on UTI. 

As previously mentioned, the positive results suggest that CBD/THC may have healing effects on UTI due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and pain-relieving properties. Whether CBD alone can treat or prevent a UTI remains unstudied.

Good hygiene and staying hydrated are some of the safe practices to prevent urinary tract infection. Most importantly, people who are experiencing aches, chills, or fever associated with kidney infections or symptoms that are indicative of a UTI must see the doctor immediately.

1. Patient Care and Health Information – Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
2. Urologic Conditions – Urinary Tract Infections in Adults. Retrieved from https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/urinary-tract-infections-in-adults
3. Urinary Tract Health – Condition Information. Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/urinary/conditioninfo/causes
4. Cannabinoids as Novel Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/
5. Cannabinoids in the Management of Difficult to Treat Pain. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/
6. Antibacterial activity of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1085130