Do you struggle to eat food without feeling sick, or suffer from frequent diarrhoea, stomach cramps, bloating and constipation? You may be one of many that have IBS or irritable bowl syndrome. Read on to find out more about IBS and how CBD may be able to help treat its symptoms so that you can start focusing on the things that matter again.

What Is IBS?

IBS (Irritable bowl syndrome) is a common condition that affects the digestive system. Its symptoms tend to come and go but can last for days, weeks or months at a time. Its most often a problem for life and can be difficult to live with and manage.

What is the Cure for IBS?

There is no known cure but it can be helped by changing your diet and with the assistance of some medicines.

What can trigger IBS?

IBS flare-ups can happen for no obvious reason.

Sometimes they have a trigger like:

• alcohol
• caffeine
• certain foods, such as spicy or fatty food
• stress and anxiety

Does Inflammation cause IBS?

Recently a study found that in IBS patients a certain amount of inflammation was discovered in their large intestines and the ileum or lining of the small intestine.

IBS produces similar symptoms to those of IBD and chrons disease however conventional wisdom suggests IBS is different because it is not caused by inflammation, however times are changing and its now being suggested that inflammation may indeed play a role in IBS too.

It’s not clear why Inflammation affects some people and not others but more research is required to look into:

• Genetic Predispositions
• Effect on the state of Gut bacteria
• Food Allergies
• Common Allergies

CBD for IBS

Can CBD help treat IBS?

Lowering inflammation

As inflammation could play a role in causing IBS it would suggest that CBD could potentially help to treat it. Studies have shown that CBD can help to lower the amount of inflammation produced in the body.

One study suggested that there is a link between a deficient Endocannabinoid system and IBS and suggests it can be suitably treated by using cannabinoid medicines.

This isn’t suggesting that IBS is caused by a problem with the ECS or that it can be solved by using a supplement like CBD but it suggests that it could help if you have a deficient ECS and may relieve symptoms even if you don’t.

There are lots of anecdotal accounts of individuals using CBD to help with their IBS symptoms, which could suggest that using CBD to lower inflammation provides relief from IBS symptoms.

Lowering stress hormone levels

As mentioned earlier, stress could be a trigger for IBS so it makes sense that by keeping our stress levels in check it can help us manage IBS more effectively.

CBD could potentially help to regulate levels of the stress hormone cortisol. CBD helps us to maintain homeostasis (balanced internal environment) so could lead to more balanced cortisol levels. If cortisol levels are with in the normal range then we are less likely to have a flare up of symptoms.

Pain relief

CBD also has pain-relieving effects which will be of use to people with IBS as they can often develop stomach cramps. So CBD could help tackle multiple symptoms.

Which CBD Oil should I Use?

You should buy a Full spectrum or Broad Spectrum CBD Oil rather than an CBD Isolate Oil. Full spectrum Oils contain less than 0.2% THC which is under the legal limit and Broad spectrums CBD Oils have less or basically NO THC at all in them.

Full Spectrum and Broad Spectrum Oils contain the other beneficial cannabinoids as well as CBD which are supposed to enhance the effectiveness of the oil.

To check the THC content of an Oil, look at the Lab report that has been carried out which should be by a Third Party company to ensure it can be trusted.

For more tips on choosing the best CBD Oil in the UK read our article here.