What You Should Know Before Using CBD Oil for IBS

6 min read

Last updated on 05.07.2023

What You Should Know Before Using CBD Oil for IBS

6 min read

Last updated on 05.07.2023

May Woods

Medically reviewed by

Are you struggling with a grumpy gut?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome can make your digestive system go haywire, causing discomfort and frustration.

But fear not, there is a potential hero in the battle again IBS: CBD oil.

While using CBD oil for IBS isn’t a recognised treatment, anecdotally, we know that many users turn to CBD oil to help them manage the symptoms of this chronic condition.

Sounds interesting? Read on, as in this article, we will discuss:

Is CBD good for IBS?
Which type of CBD might help IBS
The best way to take CBD for IBS
The correct CBD dosage for IBS

Let’s dive in….

What is CBD?

CBD is one of many cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which maintains homeostasis throughout the body.

CBD oil is extracted from the leaves, stalks and flowers of commercial hemp plants, a low THC variety of the cannabis plant.

Since CBD does not contain THC – the psychoactive cannabinoid known to get users ‘high’ – taking CBD products will not alter a user’s mental state in any way.

Instead, early research suggests that CBD helps to support healthy bodily function by preventing the breakdown of anandamide, an endocannabinoid produced in the body.

What is IBS?

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition which affects the digestive system.

It can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhoea. Other symptoms include fatigue, backache, incontinence and nausea.

While there is no test for IBS, other tests can be used to rule out other conditions.

IBS typically occurs in flare-ups, often triggered by stress or particular food and drink items.

This means those living with IBS may have good days and bad days with their symptoms. In addition, the unpredictability can make life with the condition more stressful.

What treatments are available for IBS?

The most common treatment for IBS in the UK is an elimination diet, which helps individuals learn about their triggers.

This includes switching to a diet rich in whole foods, cooking meals from scratch and avoiding trigger foods that are hard to digest, such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, beans, onions and dried fruit.

Since IBS is considered an inflammatory condition, enjoying anti-inflammatory food and drink may also help.

Lifestyle changes can also help to control the symptoms. For example, IBS flare-ups may be related to stress, so finding ways to relax and get plenty of restful sleep will also help.

Does CBD help with IBS?

Let’s get it straight: CBD oil can’t cure IBS.

However, there is some evidence that CBD may bring modest benefits by helping ease the symptoms of IBS, but more studies are – as always – needed to reach any kind of clinical conclusion.

But we’re not just closing our eyes and crossing our fingers. IBS affects between 10 and 15 percent of Western populations, and research into the connection between IBS and the endocannabinoid system is ongoing.

While it’s not a relationship that is entirely understood, there have been some breakthroughs. IBS-D patients, for example (a subtype of the inflammatory condition), have been found to have genetic alterations which affect endocannabinoid metabolism.

Meanwhile, a growing body of thought suggests that IBS itself may be a dysfunction of the endocannabinoid system, manifesting as gastrointestinal issues.

This is important, as while CBD doesn’t cure IBS, it can potentially help regulate the endocannabinoid system (although we’re not quite sure how), thus helping maintain crucial homeostasis in the body.

In addition, CBD can also help support your overall health as you transition to a more active lifestyle.

Is CBD oil for IBS safe?

Yes, CBD is typically very well tolerated in most people.

However, CBD may interact with other medications, so individuals must confirm if their medication is affected before adding CBD oil to their routine.

A report by The World Health Organisation determined that CBD does not have abuse or dependence potential. This means they do not believe that individuals can become addicted to CBD.

What is the best way to take CBD for IBS?

CBD is very easy to add to your daily routine.

For IBS, it can be taken in three ways:

Ingested orally in drops, capsules or edibles
Smoked through a CBD vape
Taken topically by rubbing it onto your skin using a cream

However, when it comes to the best way to take CBD for IBS, we’d recommend oral ingestion.

Oral CBD may be taken as sublingual drops under the tongue, in a CBD capsule or even as a gummy sweet. However, since sugar and sweeteners may be a trigger for some people, gummy sweets may not be the best option.

Both tinctures (CBD oil drops) or CBD capsules will pass CBD down your oesophagus before releasing the cannabinoid into your stomach, delivering the supplement straight to your digestive tract.

CBD is also excellent as part of a mindfulness or meditation routine – both of which are associated with helping the anxiety and depression which often accompany conditions such as IBS.

How much CBD oil should you take for IBS?

Once again, we don’t quite have a definite answer.

There’s no established or recommended CBD dosage for IBS.

However, we always recommend going low and slow with CBD doses and working up to a quantity which feels right for you. New CBD users should begin with the minimum dose on a bottle and then slowly increase by 5-10ml increments as necessary.

With chronic conditions and pain, higher doses of CBD will likely work best in supporting overall wellness.

Which CBD is best for IBS?

When buying CBD for IBS, we’d always advise checking for the following:

That the product has a Certificate of Analysis – setting out cannabinoid, heavy metals and pesticide levels
Is lab tested, ideally by a third party (here is a handy guide on how to read CBD lab results)
Doesn’t have an extensive ingredient list – the shorter, the better! Ideally, this will consist only of cannabinoids, terpenes and a carrier oil such as MCT oil (this will vary depending on which type of CBD oil you choose)

Final words on using CBD oil for IBS

While we have no definitive answers yet – and the evidence doesn’t indicate that CBD can be used as a treatment for IBS – scientists are continuing to investigate the possible benefits of CBD, and its potential to soothe inflammation, thus helping conditions such as IBS.

Of particular interest is the relationship between gastrointestinal issues and the ECS.

While further studies aim to connect these dots, we’d say that using CBD to support ECS function is an excellent way of promoting overall physical and psychological wellness.