People with Crohn’s disease develop sores and ulcers in the digestive tract and experience symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools. Crohn’s is a painful disease with no cure, most prevalent in young men. The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, but specific factors including genetics, the immune system, infections, diet, and inflammation are thought to play a role. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and, rarely, surgery. Medications designed to manage symptoms include anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants. However, these medications can have severe side effects such as headaches, nausea, insomnia, muscle pain, and even more severe effects such as pneumonia or cancer.
A new option
Side effects such as the ones listed above can do more harm than good, and many people end up ditching these treatments and just dealing with the discomfort. Fortunately, people are beginning to take notice of CBD hemp oil, which is proving itself to be a less harmful option. CBD oil has numerous positive effects on the human body, including:
- Anti-inflammatory effects. CBD itself is a powerful anti-inflammatory with critical antioxidant benefits.
- Anti-motility effects. CBD reduces hypermotility associated with Crohn’s disease, affecting only the inflamed areas of the digestive tract.
- Pain reduction. Reducing inflammation leads to pain relief for people with Crohn’s disease.
- Help for nausea. CBD can ease unpleasant symptoms of nausea and improve quality of life.
CBD oil has many other positive health effects for anyone, whether they are suffering from a long-term health condition or not; these include relief from depression and anxiety, better sleep, enhanced mental focus, and more.
Does it really work?
CBD oil does indeed work, and there’s growing proof. This study showed significant improvement in symptoms for patients who smoked marijuana. Another study showed that cannabis helped relieve patients’ depression and pain. It’s true that these studies didn’t involve CBD oil by itself, but it is still a significant component that played a role. Furthermore, this lab study revealed that non-psychoactive CBD was effective in reducing inflammation in the colon.
These studies along with a mountain of anecdotal evidence are very promising and show that CBD oil is a valid alternative treatment option, whether on its own or in conjunction with conventional treatments for those with Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory conditions. It’s clear that CBD can reduce inflammation in the GI tract and improve the overall quality of life for those who make it a part of their healthcare regimen.
