The gastrointestinal (GI) system is responsible for the digestion of food and the assimilation of nutrients into the body.  The GI system is comprised of several organs that interact with one another to extract energy and nutrients from food.

 

Cannabis and its isolated phytocannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), has been demonstrated to provide adjunctive therapeutic benefits in several common gastrointestinal diseases and disorders related to oxidative stress, including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, emesis, gastric ulcer and colon cancer. When the human body is injured or infected, an inflammatory response is evoked in order to slow down the damage from the injury or infection. This is accomplished in part by the release of compounds that help the body maintain homeostasis. However, when this occurs other harmful compounds are released into the body as well, causing an escalation of inflammation. According to research THC and CBD may help block oxidative stress response and reduce damage associated with inflammatory responses. 

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Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown early promise in the adjunctive management of several common endocrine conditions in the reduction of inflammatory response in both animal and clinical studies. As a result, the following dermatological conditions are currently being researched by scientists exploring the link between reported improvements in these conditions after the adjunctive use of CBD. 

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• Nausea is an unpleasant sensation of wanting to vomit, and is often associated with cold sweat, pallor, salivation, loss of gastric tone, duodenal contraction, and the reflux of intestinal contents into the stomach. Nausea generally precedes emesis (i.e. the action or process of vomiting), but can occur by itself. The cannabinoid receptor, CB1, is associated with nausea and emesis. Research supports the use of delta-9-THC and CBD in the management of nausea and emesis by increasing circulating cannabinoids, which are decreased by certain antigens and pharmaceuticals.  

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• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic disorder caused by failure of the lower esophageal sphincter, which is a valve that inhibits the stomach contents from coming back up into the esophagus. GERD can cause chronic inflammation, pain and damage to the esophagus. Research suggests that GERD can affect cannabinoid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract. Scientists are currently studying how an increase in phytocannabinoids like CBD may reduce some of the symptoms of GERD and help to protect the inner lining of the stomach known as the gastric mucosa.

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• Gastric Ulcer (or peptic ulcer) is a sore on the lining of the stomach or duodenum. With symptoms that include abdominal pain and bleeding. Often helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria found in contaminated food and water is found to be the cause of gastric ulcers and standard medical treatment for helicobacter pylori includes the administration of triple antibiotic therapy. Due to the endocannabinoid system's correlation with homeostasis, research is underway on how CBD could help manage certain symptoms associated with gastric ulcers including symptoms such as gastric stasis, which is a state of delayed gastric emptying that is often associated with this condition. 

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• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder which affects the motility of the colon and the consistency of fecal matter without damaging the lining of the gastrointestinal system. By definition, abdominal pain exceeding three times a month which is relieved by a bowel movement constitutes IBS. Research has linked Cannabis with a reduction of inflammation in the bowel. Additionally, phytocannabinoids may offer relief from depression and anxiety associated with IBS.

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• Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and is associated with abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever and weight loss. Other symptoms may include dermatitis, arthritis, fatigue and inflammation of the eyes. Crohn's Disease may predispose the affected individual to bowel obstruction and colon cancer. Research suggests that CBD may offer relief for certain symptoms of Crohn's Disease and may help manage the symptoms of nausea and vomiting that are associated with this disorder.

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