If you’re here, you’ve probably experienced heartburn before. So we probably don’t have to go into all the details about how painful and uncomfortable it can be.
However, while heartburn is typically caused by acid reflux and is also a digestive issue, many CBD users report that CBD may help ease or even stop heartburn. But does CBD really help with heartburn? How does it work to relieve heartburn?
Keep reading to find out!
Key Takeaways
- CBD oil does not stop heartburn directly.
- Given its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties, CBD may indirectly promote better gut health and reduce your chances of getting heartburn.
- More research is needed before we can say that CBD stops heartburn.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD (Cannabidol) is a cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis. It interacts with the human body by affecting the endocannabinoid systems (ECS )and nervous systems.
Many experts believe CBD interacts with the body’s ECS by reducing the speed at which the body breaks down endocannabinoids, thereby increasing the number of endocannabinoids available for effective function within the body.
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for and linked to multiple bodily functions, including stress, sleep, and motor control. As a result, CBD is also linked with having effects on these bodily functions.
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CBD and Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is when stomach acid travels back into your esophagus. This phenomenon is usually accompanied by a painful and burning sensation called heartburn.
When acid reflux occurs frequently, it typically leads to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Usually, what causes acid reflux is when the body has to digest acidic food, such as citrus, spicy foods, and chocolate.
Now, the link between CBD and acid reflux is the endocannabinoid system (ECS). They meet because CBD affects the ECS, which in turn affects acid reflux.
Remember, one of the key ways CBD may affect the body is by interacting with the ECS, causing endocannabinoids to be more abundant to function effectively within the body.
On the other hand, studies reveal that one of the bodily functions that the endocannabinoid system affects is the digestive system.
Therefore, the ECS may possess antisecretory effects on gastric acid and may also have anti-inflammatory features within the digestive system that may help manage the symptoms of GERD.
As a result of these connection points, more and more people have begun to take CBD oil for acid reflux and its symptoms like heartburn, and some claim to experience results and improvement.
For instance, a study on the self-reported evaluation of CBD on a social media CBD forum revealed that alongside psychological and neurological conditions like anxiety, users of CBD products also mentioned that they helped with gastroenterological conditions.
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Can CBD Help with Acid Reflux?
Several signs and reports from users indicate that CBD may be a potential agent for relieving acid reflux and heartburn. But there’s no conclusive proof yet.
However, research is still ongoing to see whether CBD can genuinely help deal with acid reflux and the consequent symptoms on the body.
One of the significant causes of acid reflux and GERD is the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The function of the LES is that it separates your esophagus from your stomach, such that it opens up to allow food into your stomach and remains close to prevent the content of your stomach from flowing back into your esophagus.
However, when it is weakened, the muscle will relax, which typically leads to acid reflux (content for your stomach flowing back to your esophagus).
However, a review of older studies in humans and animals suggests that CBD may be able to help to prevent the weakening of LES. In other words, CBD may be able to prevent instances of acid reflux altogether.
Still, on CBD and acid reflux, one of the significant symptoms associated with acid reflux and GERD is an increase in oxidative stress and inflammation. Since seveal research publications have shown that CBD has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the body via the ECS, it may help relieve these particular symptoms of acid reflux.
Lastly, self-reported evaluations from users of CBD products mention that it has helped them deal with symptoms of acid reflux, GERD, and other gastroenterological conditions.
All the science right now points to the fact that CBD has great potential to indirectly help with acid reflux.
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Does CBD Oil Stop Heartburn?
One of the major causes of heartburn is acid reflux. Typically when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, one of the consequences is a burning and painful sensation called heartburn.
Therefore, if CBD may help to deal with acid reflux, it follows that it may also help stop heartburn. The same reasons why CBD will help with acid reflux, such as strengthening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, will also apply to stopping heartburn.
However, beyond this, CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system also means that it may generally help deal with pain, which may be useful in helping to manage and end heartburn.
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CBD for GERD: How Does It Work?
Just as more people are beginning to take CBD to help with anxiety and acid reflux, there is also an influx of CBD GERD products aimed at using CBD to deal with gastroesophageal reflux disease and its symptoms.
Now, even though users of CBD may report that CBD has helped with dealing with GERD and similar situations, the science is still in the works, and research is still ongoing. The good news, however, is that the results so far are promising.
Since GERD is typically a result of the frequent occurrence of acid reflux, if acid reflux is minimized or stopped, then the chances of having to experience GERD will reduce drastically.
Furthermore, CBD also interacts with CBD receptors in the body, including those in the gastrointestinal tract. This potentially means that CBD will, via these receptors, reduce pain and soften tissues within the gastrointestinal tract.
Therefore CBD GERD products may function by stimulating the CBD receptors in the gastrointestinal tract alongside strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
back to menu ↑Benefits of CBD Oil for Digestion
CBD oil may also possess several benefits for digestion and related activities in the body. Some of these benefits include:
It May Help with Inflammation
Most of the problems that occur with your gut and digestion may be a result of inflammation. Inflammation may lead to a lack of absorption of nutrients, a risk of infections, and decreased immune response, among several other things.
Since CBD oil interacts with CBD receptors in the body and can reduce inflammation, it can aid smoother digestion and better stomach health.
Promotes Lower Stress
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in your body (ECS) and, therefore, may be very useful in ensuring stress relief. Interestingly, stress is unhealthy for the health of your gut because it typically leads to an alteration of the movement and contraction of your gut, which in turn puts you at risk of inflammation and, consequently, at the risk of infections.
Therefore, taking CBD oil ensures that your body is more relaxed, your gut movement is healthy, and you are at less risk of inflammation.
It is important to note that the same thing applies to anxiety. Stomach and gut issues caused by anxiety may be dealt with by taking CBD as a means of dealing with anxiety.
It May Help to Reduce Pain
CBD oil also helps you to deal with pain in the stomach that digestive issues like inflammation in the gut may cause. It may help with this in two significant ways. The first is dealing with inflammation as a result of its anti-inflammatory properties.
The second is affecting the ECS system in your body to ensure pain relief in how your body experiences pain that comes from stomach issues.
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How to Take CBD Oil for Digestion
If you have digestive issues or you are taking CBD oil for acid reflux, there are a couple of ways to take it. They include:
Tinctures
This is one of the fastest and easiest ways to take CBD oil orally. All you have to do is apply drops beneath your tongue and hold it then for several minutes. The tissues under than tongue will absorb the CBD into your bloodstream and it can begin its process. Some people believe sublingual application through tinctures is the best way to take CBD.
Capsules and Edibles
This is another excellent way to consume CBD for acid reflux and digestive issues. Capsules typically come in specific pre-measured dosages, so it is easy to know exactly how much you take. Other forms of edibles that you can take include gummies, chocolate bars, and cake pops.
Topical Products
These are creams and lotions you can apply directly to your skin without ingesting anything. You can apply them to your stomach or abdomen and experience relief from pain and distress.
One thing to note when buying CBD products, whether they are edibles, tinctures, or topicals, is that there are varying qualities of products. As a result, you should look out for the following in choosing a product:
- Third-party lab testing
- Quality and real reviews
- Natural and organic products
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Best CBD Oil for Digestive Issues
Generally, there is no specific type of CBD oil that is designed and manufactured specifically for digestive issues. Instead, the trick is to buy high-quality, organic CBD oil that was manufactured to the highest standards.
Check out our choices for the best CBD to aid digestive issues:
