Gut health is easily overlooked, probably due to the fact that none of the associated symptoms are as distressing as a severe migraine, for example.

A healthy gut makes for a healthier person. The function of the gut is not just to digest food and absorb nutrients, it also affects immune system function, breaks down harmful compounds and synthesises vitamins and other nutrients.

After studying the endocannabinoid system, CBD and gut function together, researchers found that CBD has the potential to promote gastrointestinal health and digestion. So, how does CBD actually work?

Why is gut health important?

Several important functions of the gut have been mentioned above. In fact, keeping the gut healthy means keeping the whole body in balance.

Largest immune organ in the body

What many people do not know about the human immune system is that the gut is the largest immune organ in the body, with 70% of the body's immune cells and immunoglobulins concentrated in the gut. As the majority of immune cells live in the gut, gut health is vital to boosting the body's immunity and fighting off disease.

Second brain of the human body

In addition, the gut is an autonomous nervous system, with trillions of microbial bacteria living in the human gut and helping to digest food.

The gut is known as the body's second brain because the enteric nervous system (ENS), in which nerve cells are distributed throughout the walls of the intestine, contains nearly 100 million neuronal cells, the number of nerve cells in the central nervous spinal cord, and is similar in function and diversity to the central nervous system.

The enteric nervous system can regulate the activities of the entire intestine, including peristalsis, contraction, secretion, circulation, immunity, inflammation and other physiological functions on its own, independent of the control of the brain. In other words, the enteric nervous system is like an independent brain that can function independently.

There is a link between a person's mood and their gut health. It is estimated that 80-90% of the body's serotonin is produced in the digestive tract. It affects various functions of the body, including bowel function. It has also been linked to mental illness.

If a person feels too much stress, serotonin levels can be reduced.Low serotonin levels can affect a person's mood, anxiety levels and sense of well-being.

Intestinal and Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The endocannabinoid system is composed of cellular receptors throughout the body and involves several important systems, including the central and peripheral nervous system and the immune system, involved in regulating important functions such as sleep, mood, memory, immune response, reproduction and appetite etc. The endocannabinoid system has two main receptors: CB1, which is located mainly on nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, and CB2, which is located mainly in the immune tissues.


Recent studies have found a link between the endocannabinoid system and the gastrointestinal system. a 2016 review mentioned that the endocannabinoid signalling system in the gut is linked to food intake and energy balance and that, with the help of the vagus nerve, the endocannabinoid system can initiate neurotransmission between the gut and the brain.

There is also a potential link between the endocannabinoid system, the gut microbiota and mood disorders. 2020 a study found that alterations in the gut microbiota caused depression. However, these depressive symptoms were alleviated with the help of endogenous cannabinoid signalling (i.e. activation of their receptors).

How does CBD affect gut health?

A number of studies have investigated the potential impact of CBD on gut health, with the following key findings:

CBD & Inflammation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition in which chronic inflammation occurs in the digestive tract. The two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcers in the large intestine and rectum are usually ulcerative colitis, while Crohn's disease is characterised by inflammation along the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

A 2011 study noted the potential of cannabidiol to inhibit neuropathic and inflammatory pain as well as intestinal inflammation. In a study of cannabidiol's inhibition of intestinal inflammation, researchers examined rectal biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis to determine the efficacy of CBD. The researchers suggest that CBD may exert its effects associated with ulcerative colitis through the receptor pathway of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ).

CBD and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome has no specific symptoms, but has some characteristics relative to organic gastrointestinal diseases: slow onset, intermittent episodes; pronounced during the day, relieved after sleep at night, etc. The clinical manifestations are abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhoea or constipation and abdominal distention. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome are usually treated with opioids and antidepressants, with the caveat of adverse effects.

A study published in 2020 attempted to determine how the endogenous cannabinoid system could be used to benefit patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The study focuses on the possibility that CBD may desensitize the TRPV1 receptor (responsible for regulating inflammation and pain) and increase levels of arachidonic ethanolamine by inhibiting fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), thereby stimulating the endogenous cannabinoid system to exert its regulatory effects.

CBD and Leaky Gut Syndrome

Leaky gut occurs when the small intestine is damaged and as a result, undigested food, bacteria and waste products end up in the bloodstream through the intestines. Symptoms of leaky gut include bloating, fatigue, skin problems, sensitivity to certain foods and other digestive problems.

One of the many causes of leaky gut is an infection caused by a toxin found in faeces, Clostridium difficile (CDI), which enters food and compromises the integrity of the intestinal barrier. This condition is commonly seen in elderly people who are hospitalised.

A 2017 study investigated whether CBD could improve intestinal barrier dysfunction by inhibiting apoptosis (programmed cell death). It was found that CBD works by indirectly activating the CB1 receptor.

CBD and Gut Microbiota

Experts have found scientific evidence that industrial hemp can treat colon cancer in a 2017 study. While nothing is conclusive yet, this would be very beneficial for more in-depth scientific research on CBD and industrial hemp. Research has generally focused on the potential of CBD to benefit intestinal flora, as this would reduce the risk of diseases such as obesity, irritable bowel disease and even colon cancer.

As stated in an October 2020 study, this author said, "Although we have tested the effects of FO and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the gut microbiota in experimental colitis, no such preclinical or clinical studies have been conducted on CBD."

We already know that intestinal health is essential to good health. Endogenous cannabinoid systems are a viable target for disease control and intestinal health. The specific effects of CBD on intestinal health are a key part of many relevant studies due to their safety, accessibility and non-toxicity.