If Crohn’s feels so debilitating that you feel as though you have nowhere left to turn for treatment- did you know CBD is an option?
CBD lowers inflammation and discomfort, so it is a great tool for people with painful gut issues like Crohn’s Disease. In fact, cannabis is reportedly used by 10-20% of surveyed Crohn’s patients to manage symptoms.
While research in the area is constantly evolving and changing, evidence does suggest that for many, CBD is an effective tool in treating many disorders associated with inflammation. CBD is also known to be a great mood-booster, a sleep aid, and a general resource for improving both mental and physical health alike. So, what exactly is this research, what does it say, and how can it help us better understand how we might approach Crohn’s and similar inflammatory conditions in the future?
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Can CBD help reduce the symptoms of Crohn's disease?
CBD oil has shown potential in helping manage symptoms of Crohn’s disease, though research is still ongoing and results are mixed. Here’s what we know about CBD oil for Crohn’s disease:
Potential Benefits
- CBD may help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Some studies have reported improvements in quality of life, pain reduction, and increased appetite in Crohn’s patients using CBD.
- A small study found that CBD-rich cannabis oil led to higher quality of life reports in Crohn’s patients, though it did not reduce inflammation levels or induce clinical remission.
Safety and Side Effects
- Low-dose CBD appears to be generally safe for Crohn’s patients.
- Mild side effects may include fatigue, diarrhea, and changes in appetite or weight.
- No serious adverse events were reported in studies comparing CBD to placebo for Crohn’s disease.
Effectiveness
- Research results are mixed, with some studies showing no significant difference between CBD and placebo for inducing remission in Crohn’s disease.
- CBD is not a cure for Crohn’s and should not be marketed as such.
- It may help support overall health and potentially ease some symptoms, but more research is needed.
Usage and Dosage
- We recommend using CBD oil sublingually (under the tongue) for fast onset, plus edible CBD that passes through the digestive system to attack gut inflammation head on.
- There’s no official guidance on CBD dosage for Crohn’s, but the UK Food Standards Agency recommends not exceeding 70mg of CBD per day.
- It may take about a month of regular use for CBD to build up in your system and show effects as a daily supplement.
Always consult with your doctor before trying CBD oil for Crohn’s disease, especially if you’re taking other medications. Choose high-quality, third-party tested CBD products from reputable suppliers.
How quickly can CBD oil show results in reducing Crohn's symptoms?
Based on the available research, the effects of CBD oil on Crohn’s disease symptoms can be observed relatively quickly, typically within a few weeks of starting treatment:
- In an 8-week study, patients receiving cannabis oil containing CBD and THC showed significant reduction in Crohn’s disease symptoms compared to the placebo group.
- The same study reported that 65% of participants in the cannabis oil group met criteria for clinical remission after 8 weeks of treatment.
- Another study using cannabis oil (15% CBD and 4% THC) in adults with active Crohn’s disease showed positive differences in quality of life and Crohn’s disease activity index, also over an 8-week period.
It’s important to note that while symptom improvement may be observed within weeks, the effects on underlying inflammation are less clear. Some studies found no significant improvements in inflammatory markers or endoscopic scores, despite symptom relief.
Individual responses may vary, and more research is needed to determine the optimal dosage and duration of CBD oil treatment for Crohn’s disease. Patients should consult with their healthcare providers before starting any new treatment regimen.
Limited but promising research
A small 2018 study conducted by a team of Israeli medical researchers attempted to figure out the effectiveness of using cannabis products for Crohn’s disease.
Over the course of 2 months, a group of 46 Crohn’s sufferers were given either cannabis oil or a placebo oil to treat their symptoms.
The results were fascinating — over 65% of the patients given cannabis oil went into remission, compared with only 35% of the patients given a placebo.
However, without a wide body of research it’s difficult to make any solid claims about CBD’s capacity to treat or alleviate symptoms in sufferers of IBDs.
For one thing, similar studies with CBD isolates (products that are pure CBD and nothing else) had much less promising results than this study, which used an oil that contained 15% CBD and 4% THC.
This result could be for a variety of reasons — one being the Entourage Effect, a potentiating effect that CBD, THC, and other compounds in cannabis can have on one another in order to make the pain-relieving effects of CBD more intense.
However, the ineffectiveness could also mean that maybe other compounds found in cannabis are responsible for feelings of relief for sufferers of IBDs. In other words, CBD and THC may work together to bring Crohn’s relief, rather than CBD working alone.
Additionally, there’s no great proof that CBD is a treatment for the root cause of the symptoms of Crohn’s, only that it can alleviate the pain that comes as a result of it. During the course of the study, it was determined that it wasn’t CBD’s widely reported anti-inflammatory properties that were helping, meaning that it might not have the potential to be the cure for Crohn’s disease. With that being said, even if it’s not a cure, any relief from chronic pain feels like a miracle.
The other good news is that CBD has very little side effects and it is impossible to overdose. That means there is no harm in trying out some small doses of CBD oil for Crohn’s and seeing how they affect you. In the best case scenario, you could have found some wonderful relief.
Can CBD oil be used in conjunction with other Crohn's disease treatments?
CBD oil can potentially be used in conjunction with other Crohn’s disease treatments, but it’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider before doing so. Here are some key points to consider:
- CBD is not a replacement for conventional Crohn’s disease treatments. It should be viewed as a potential complementary therapy rather than an alternative to prescribed medications.
- There are currently no licensed medications containing CBD specifically for Crohn’s disease treatment.
- When considering using CBD oil alongside other treatments:
- Inform your doctor about your intention to use CBD oil.
- Discuss potential drug interactions with your current medications.
- Be aware that CBD may affect the metabolism of certain drugs in the liver.
- If your healthcare provider approves, CBD oil can be incorporated into a regular supplement routine or used occasionally to help manage flare-ups.
- Choose high-quality CBD products from reputable suppliers, preferably those offering certificates of analysis and third-party lab testing results.
- Start with a low dose and gradually increase it under medical supervision to find the right balance with your existing treatment plan.
Remember, while some patients report symptom relief with CBD use, its effects on Crohn’s disease are not fully understood, and it’s not a cure for the condition. Always prioritize open communication with your healthcare team when considering any new treatments or supplements.
What is the best CBD oil for Crohn's disease?
Full-spectrum CBD is often considered the best option for Crohn’s disease due to its potential to harness the “entourage effect.” This effect suggests that the various cannabinoids and terpenes found in the cannabis plant work synergistically to enhance therapeutic benefits.
Full-spectrum CBD contains all the naturally occurring compounds from the hemp plant, including trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%), other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. This combination may provide more comprehensive relief for Crohn’s symptoms compared to CBD isolate.
What is the optimal dosage of CBD for Crohn's disease?
The optimal CBD dosage for Crohn’s disease is not definitively established due to limited research. However, a general approach is to start with a low dose of 15-20 mg daily and gradually increase until desired effects are achieved, without exceeding 70 mg per day as recommended by the UK Food Standards Agency.
It’s important to be patient, as it can take up to a month of consistent use to see results. The ideal dosage can vary based on individual factors such as body weight, condition severity, and product concentration.
Conclusion
CBD oil shows promising potential for Crohn’s disease treatment, particularly due to its pain-relieving properties, which may be enhanced when combined with THC. However, the long-term effects of CBD oil use for Crohn’s are not yet fully understood, underscoring the need for extensive, prolonged clinical trials to evaluate its safety and efficacy.
While CBD is generally considered safe, it’s crucial to approach its use thoughtfully. Start with a low dose and gradually increase it to find what works best for you. Always consult your doctor before incorporating CBD into your treatment regimen, as it can interact with certain medications at specific doses.
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