Last updated: October 2026
There is no best CBD oil for Crohn’s disease, because no CBD product has been shown to treat it. A Cochrane review found the evidence uncertain, and a trial of CBD on its own found no difference from placebo. If you still want to try CBD, talk to your IBD team first and never stop your prescribed treatment.
Below: what each trial found, what Crohn’s and Colitis UK and NICE say, how CBD can affect Crohn’s medicines and your gut, a checklist if you still want to try a CBD oil, and the warning signs that need urgent help.
Already decided to try CBD?
Our Broad Spectrum CBD Capsules come in a 10mg strength, and our Broad Spectrum CBD Oil is broad spectrum CBD in MCT oil with nothing else added. Both are 0% THC, vegan, made in the UK and lab tested. CBD isn’t a treatment for Crohn’s disease, so please read the medicines section below and check with your IBD team first.
Is there a “best CBD oil for Crohn’s”?
No. No CBD oil sold in the UK has been shown to help Crohn’s disease, and any brand claiming its product treats Crohn’s is breaking UK rules. The only cannabis products linked to symptom changes in trials contained THC, which isn’t allowed in CBD food supplements and is a controlled drug in the UK.
So the honest answer to “which is the best CBD oil for Crohn’s?” is a different question: if you choose to use CBD for general wellbeing alongside your treatment, which oil is the safest choice? That comes down to a few checkable things:
- 0% THC (broad spectrum or isolate), so there is no controlled drug in it. See full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD.
- A batch lab report (certificate of analysis) from an independent lab. Here is how to read a CBD lab report.
- A product on the FSA public list of CBD products linked to novel food applications.
- A clear strength per drop or capsule, so you know exactly how much you take.
- A simple ingredient list, without extra herbal extracts that your IBD team would also need to check.
The full checklist is further down. For how we compare oils for everyday use, see best CBD oil UK: how to choose.
What the research shows
Only a handful of small, short trials have tested cannabis or CBD in people with Crohn’s. Here is what each one found.
| Trial | What was tested | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Israel, 2017 | 20 people with active Crohn’s; 10mg CBD twice a day vs placebo for 8 weeks | No side effects and no change in liver or kidney tests, but no difference in disease activity compared with placebo |
| Israel, 2021 | 56 people with active Crohn’s; cannabis oil with CBD and THC (4:1) vs placebo for 8 weeks | Better symptom scores and quality of life, but no change in inflammation seen at endoscopy or in blood and stool markers (CRP and calprotectin) |
| Israel, 2013 | 21 people; cannabis cigarettes with THC | Remission rates weren’t significantly different from placebo; symptom scores changed, but the trial was small and at high risk of bias |
| Cochrane review, 2018 | 3 trials, 93 people | Effects of cannabis and cannabis oil on Crohn’s are uncertain; no firm conclusions on benefit or safety possible |
The key point: feeling better and the disease getting better aren’t the same thing. In the larger 2021 trial, symptom scores changed but the inflammation that damages the bowel didn’t. The authors concluded that cannabis for Crohn’s should only be used within clinical trials for now. That’s why CBD or cannabis can’t replace treatments that control inflammation.
The Cochrane authors also noted that no trial has looked at people in remission, that the quality of evidence was low or very low, and that earlier reports linked cannabis use in Crohn’s with side effects such as dizziness and diarrhoea and with a higher risk of surgery.
What Crohn’s and Colitis UK says about cannabis and CBD
Crohn’s and Colitis UK, the national charity, covers cannabis-based medicines in its other treatments guide. In short, it says:
- some people with Crohn’s or Colitis report that cannabis-based products helped their symptoms and quality of life, but there isn’t currently enough evidence to support their use as a treatment
- cannabis-based medicines are only prescribed in very few circumstances in the UK, such as certain rare types of epilepsy and multiple sclerosis
- most cannabis products bought online, including some CBD oils, are illegal, while health stores may legally sell CBD oils as food supplements, which tend to contain small amounts of CBD
- you should check with your GP or IBD team before trying them, tell your IBD team about any complementary therapy, and keep taking your usual Crohn’s medicines
We agree with all of that. A legal CBD supplement can be part of a wellbeing routine, but it sits alongside your medical care, never in place of it. Is CBD legal? See is CBD legal in the UK?
How Crohn’s is treated in the UK
There’s currently no cure for Crohn’s disease, but treatment can keep many people symptom-free for long periods (remission). Your care is led by a gastroenterologist and IBD team, following the NICE guideline on Crohn’s disease (NG129). In outline:
| Stage | Usual options |
|---|---|
| Bringing on remission | A steroid such as prednisolone, or budesonide for some people; a liquid diet (enteral nutrition) for some children and young people |
| Add-on treatment | Azathioprine or mercaptopurine added to a steroid if flares keep coming back; methotrexate for some people |
| Keeping remission | Azathioprine or mercaptopurine, or methotrexate for some; steroids aren’t used long term |
| Severe or hard-to-treat disease | Biological medicines such as infliximab and adalimumab, started by specialists, plus newer targeted medicines |
| Surgery | Removing a damaged section of bowel, sometimes with a stoma, when medicines aren’t enough or complications develop |
None of these include CBD or cannabis. If your symptoms get worse or your treatment isn’t helping, the NHS advice is to see your GP or IBD team. The NHS also advises against big changes to your diet without advice from your healthcare team. Our guides to calcium supplements and high fibre foods both include notes for people with Crohn’s.
CBD and Crohn’s medicines
This is the most important section if you take medicines for Crohn’s. CBD is broken down in the liver, mainly by enzymes called CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. Lab studies suggest it can slow CYP2C19 and some other enzymes, though in a study in people it did not meaningfully affect CYP3A4. So CBD can change how much of some medicines stays in your blood. A review of licensed CBD medicines by pharmacy researchers described the potential for interactions with commonly used medicines as high.
| Medicine type | Why it matters with CBD | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Azathioprine and mercaptopurine | You already have regular blood tests to check your liver, kidneys and bone marrow, and high-dose CBD can raise liver enzymes | Tell your IBD team before starting, so they can read your blood results with CBD in mind |
| Methotrexate | Can affect the liver, especially at high doses, so it is closely monitored | Ask your IBD team or pharmacist first |
| Steroids (prednisolone, budesonide) | We found no CBD studies with these steroids, so there is no evidence either way | Ask your pharmacist to check your exact medicine |
| Biologics (infliximab, adalimumab and others) | We found no interaction studies with CBD; that is a gap in the research, not proof of safety | Tell your IBD team, as they need a full list of what you take |
| Tacrolimus | A published case showed tacrolimus levels roughly tripled in someone taking very high-dose prescription CBD | Don’t take CBD without your specialist’s agreement |
The NHS azathioprine page asks you to tell your doctor or pharmacist about any herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements you take, and notes that these are generally not tested for their effects on other medicines. CBD counts. For the bigger picture, see can CBD interact with medication? and prescription CBD vs over-the-counter CBD.
CBD side effects and your gut
At the low dose used in the 2017 Crohn’s trial (10mg twice a day), researchers saw no side effects and no change in liver tests. But at much higher doses, studies have reported effects that matter if you have Crohn’s:
- Diarrhoea. Reviews of CBD safety list diarrhoea, tiredness and vomiting among side effects seen in trials, mostly at high, prescription-level doses. With Crohn’s, that could be mistaken for a flare, or hide one.
- Liver enzymes. In a trial of healthy adults taking 1,500mg of CBD a day, 7 of 16 had raised liver enzymes (ALT) within 2 to 4 weeks. That dose is 150 times the FSA’s 10mg figure, but it is a reason to keep doses modest and keep your routine blood tests.
- Sleepiness. Drowsiness is a common reported side effect, which adds up if your medicines also make you tired.
If you notice any change in your bowel habits after starting CBD, stop it and speak to your IBD team rather than assuming it’s the CBD. More detail: CBD side effects and is CBD bad for your liver?
If you still want to try a CBD oil: a checklist
- Keep taking your prescribed treatment. Stopping it risks a flare and complications.
- Talk to your IBD nurse, gastroenterologist or pharmacist before you start, and give them the product name and strength.
- Choose 0% THC. Broad spectrum or isolate, not full spectrum.
- Check the lab report for the batch you buy: CBD content, THC, and tests for contaminants.
- Check the FSA public list. Products linked to a validated novel food application are listed on gov.uk. The FSA board recommended the first CBD authorisations in September 2026; see the FSA’s CBD decision explained.
- Start low, around 10mg a day. The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.
- Change one thing at a time and keep a symptom diary, so you and your team can tell what is doing what.
- Keep your routine blood tests and mention CBD at every review.
Not sure how many drops make 10mg? See our CBD dosage guide.
What to look for in a CBD oil
| Check | Why it matters with Crohn’s |
|---|---|
| 0% THC (broad spectrum or isolate) | THC is a controlled drug in the UK and isn’t allowed in CBD food supplements |
| Batch lab report from an ISO 17025 lab | Confirms the CBD content and that THC and contaminants are within limits |
| On the FSA public list | Shows the product is linked to a validated novel food application |
| Simple ingredients | Fewer extras for your IBD team or pharmacist to check against your medicines |
| Clear mg per drop or capsule | Makes it easy to stay at a modest, steady amount |
| No medical claims | Any brand saying its CBD treats Crohn’s is breaking UK advertising rules |
Evopure’s plain CBD options
If you and your IBD team are happy for you to try CBD, our two simplest products are below. The Broad Spectrum CBD Oil is broad spectrum CBD in MCT oil with nothing else added, in 500mg, 1,000mg and 2,000mg (about 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg per drop). The Broad Spectrum CBD Capsules come in 10mg and 25mg, so one 10mg capsule matches the FSA figure. Both are 0% THC, vegan, made in the UK, third-party lab tested at ISO 17025 labs (reports on our lab testing page) and on the FSA public list. CBD isn’t a treatment for Crohn’s disease, and neither product replaces your prescribed medicines.
We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding. All our products are for adults (18+) only.
Medical cannabis for Crohn’s in the UK
Cannabis-based medicines containing THC can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor in the UK, and only in very few circumstances, such as certain rare types of epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Crohn’s isn’t among the examples Crohn’s and Colitis UK gives, and the charity says there isn’t enough evidence to support cannabis as a treatment. Some private clinics prescribe it. Buying cannabis oil with THC without a prescription is illegal. See medical cannabis in the UK.
Why people with Crohn’s are interested in CBD
- Surveys: many people with inflammatory bowel disease report using cannabis or CBD, often for pain, appetite or sleep.
- Biology: the gut has cannabinoid receptors as part of the endocannabinoid system, and lab studies suggest cannabinoids affect inflammation. These haven’t translated into proven benefits in people.
- Living with a long-term condition is stressful, and some people use CBD as part of a calming routine. See CBD for sleep.
Crohn’s and IBS are different conditions, even though some symptoms overlap. If you’ve been diagnosed with IBS, see CBD for IBS.
Signs you need urgent help
Whatever you take, don’t wait out worrying symptoms. If you have a personalised care plan from your IBD team, follow it. Otherwise, the NHS and Crohn’s and Colitis UK advise:
- Contact your IBD team or GP if your symptoms get worse or your treatment isn’t helping. If you can’t reach them, call NHS 111.
- Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your poo is black or dark red, or you have bloody diarrhoea.
- Go to A&E or call 999 if you are severely dehydrated, vomiting blood, bleeding non-stop from your bottom, have severe tummy pain with a high temperature and a fast heartbeat, or think your stoma is blocked.
Crohn’s and Colitis UK also runs a helpline on 0300 222 5700 for information and support (it can’t give urgent medical advice). For everyday gut care, see our guide to gut health.
For more on CBD’s gut side effects, see can CBD cause constipation?.
Sources 17
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- Naftali T et al. Oral CBD-rich cannabis induces clinical but not endoscopic response in patients with Crohn’s disease, a randomised controlled trial. J Crohns Colitis, 2021. PMID 33858011.
- Naftali T et al. Cannabis induces a clinical response in patients with Crohn’s disease: a prospective placebo-controlled study. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2013. PMID 23648372.
- Kafil TS et al. Cannabis for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2018. PMID 30407616.
- Brown JD, Winterstein AG. Potential adverse drug events and drug-drug interactions with medical and consumer cannabidiol (CBD) use. J Clin Med, 2019. PMID 31288397.
- Leino AD et al. Evidence of a clinically significant drug-drug interaction between cannabidiol and tacrolimus. Am J Transplant, 2019. PMID 31012522.
- Patsalos PN et al. Clinical implications of trials investigating drug-drug interactions between cannabidiol and enzyme inducers or inhibitors or common antiseizure drugs. Epilepsia, 2020. PMID 32918835.
- Watkins PB et al. Cannabidiol and abnormal liver chemistries in healthy adults: results of a phase I clinical trial. Clin Pharmacol Ther, 2021. PMID 33022751.
- Huestis MA et al. Cannabidiol adverse effects and toxicity. Curr Neuropharmacol, 2019. PMID 31161980.
- NICE. Crohn’s disease: management (NG129).
- NHS. Crohn’s disease.
- NHS. Taking azathioprine with other medicines and herbal supplements.
- NHS. Side effects of methotrexate.
- NHS. Medical cannabis (and cannabis oils).
- Crohn’s and Colitis UK. Other treatments for Crohn’s and Colitis.
- Crohn’s and Colitis UK. Flare-ups with Crohn’s or Colitis.
- Food Standards Agency (gov.uk). Cannabidiol (CBD) guidance and CBD products linked to novel food applications.
This guide is general information, not medical advice.
