CBD Oil and stomach ulcers
11 November 2022With a stomach ulcer, the lining of the stomach is damaged and that can hurt a lot. Not only this pain is annoying, but an untreated stomach ulcer can lead to malnutrition and even internal bleedings. Of course there are medicines that can cure a stomach ulcer, but there is also a natural product that can help to support you during the healing process: CBD Oil! But how does this work exactly? How can CBD Oil help you when you suffer from a stomach ulcer? Read all about it in our blog!
What is a stomach ulcer?
Normally you chew your food in your mouth, you swallow it and then it goes through the oesophagus to the stomach. After the stomach, the food reaches the intestines, where the food gets digested and absorbed further.
The stomach produces an acid that helps to digest and absorb the food and the nutrients. To protect the stomach from the acid, the inside of the stomach wall is lined with a thick mucous membrane. When the mucous membrane is damaged or doesn’t work correctly, it can’t protect the stomach wall properly against the acid. That means that the acid can damage the stomach wall tissue. A stomach ulcer is actually a ‘hole’ in the mucous membrane, so the nerves of the stomach wall are exposed. When the acid touches the nerves, you can experience a heavy pain.
An ulcer can occur at all ages and in both men and women, although it occurs twice as much in men above 60. Unfortunately many people this it’s ‘just a normal’ stomach ache, or the pain is caused by an unhealthy life style, so they don’t visit a doctor. However, it’s very important to get a treatment for the ulcer right away, before it can get more serious and lead to internal bleedings.
What are the symptoms of a stomach ulcer?
Most people with stomach ulcers experience more pain during the night or when their stomach is empty. These are some symptoms of an ulcer:
- Bloating in the stomach
- Discomfort and upper abdominal pain
- Heartburn and reflux
- Digestive complaints
- Nausea
- Belching
- Vomiting
- Reduces appetite and losing weight
What can be the cause of a stomach ulcer?
There are many causes of stomach ulcers. The cause of 60 to 90% of all ulcers is the bacteria Helicobacter pylori. This bacteria colonizes the mucous membrane of the stomach and because our immune system can’t fight the infection, a stomach ulcer appears.
Another cause of ulcers are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Among these are common medicines like ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen or diclofenac. With long-term use they can cause an irritated stomach wall and in the end that can lead to an ulcer.
These are just a couple of examples of common causes. There are also factors that can’t cause a stomach ulcer, but can worsen it. Stress, unhealthy food, excessive stomach acid, smoking, alcohol or certain diseases (and treatments like radiation) are examples of these factors.
Fortunately, CBD Oil seems to have a positive effect on the stomach. And besides that, CBD Oil only has a few mild side effects! Let’s take a look at how CBD Oil can help you when you suffer from a stomach ulcer.
How does CBD Oil cooperate with your body?
Before we can explain how CBD actually fights a stomach ulcer, we want to take a look at the way CBD Oil collaborates with the body in general.
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the cannabinoids from the hemp plant. This plant from the Cannabis Sativa family contain over one hundred cannabinoids, but also terpenes and flavonoids. All these substances together can cause the positive health effects of Full Spectrum CBD Oil.
The bodies of all mammals are kept balanced, or in homeostasis, by a very important system: the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS regulates all processes in the body. For example the nerve functioning, appetite, anxiety, mood and memory, but also pain stimuli and inflammation.
The ECS consists of a large network of receptors that are located through the entire body. There are two important types of receptors: CB1 and CB2 receptors. Endogenous cannabinoids – endocannabinoids – can bind with these receptors and can stimulate or inhibit certain processes. That way the balance in your body gets regulated.
Your body recognizes the cannabinoid CBD too! CBD can do its positive work the same way as the endocannabinoids: by binding to the receptors of the ECS. In doing so, CBD can help to reduce inflammation and decrease stomach acid and relieve nausea and pain.
How can CBD Oil help against a stomach ulcer?
According to research, CBD Oil can help fighting a stomach ulcer by inhibiting the production of stomach acid. When your stomach produces less acid, the stomach wall gets time to heal. Besides that, CBD can help by creating a mucous membrane on the stomach wall. This protective layer can cause the ulcer to heal quicker and can prevent the formation of new ulcers. The research also showed that CBD can improve the blood flow in the stomach wall, so it can heal quicker.
CBD Oil can contribute to the recovery of a damaged stomach wall. But it can also have painkilling effects (especially with chronic pain!) and reduce inflammation. This is very useful when you suffer from a stomach ulcer, which can cause a heavy pain. When the inflammation is reduced, the ulcer can heal faster.
CBD Oil turns out to work well as an anti-emetic. The oil helps to relieve the nausea, caused by the ulcer, and to reduce excessive stomach acid. Because the production of this acid gets regulated and reduced, the nausea is probably going to fade, but also you’re less likely to vomit, experience belching and reflux.
CBD Oil and the side effects of a stomach ulcer
A common side effect of an ulcer is malnutrition. Sometimes people eat less because of the pain, but the main cause is the improper functioning of the stomach, so nutrients don’t get absorbed properly. CBD Oil can stimulate the appetite, so you get hungrier and eat more. As soon as the ulcer has healed, the digestion and absorption of nutrients recover, which is good for your health!
Finally, CBD Oil can attribute to your energy balance. CBD can help to reduce stress and improve your sleep. Of course this will give you more energy, but also the stomach ulcer gets more time to heal.
We do have to mention that only few researches have been done into the relation between the cannabinoid CBD and ulcers. However, the results are encouraging. CBD appears to stimulate the production of the hormone serotonin too. Serotonin is a hormone with stimulating effects. It’s mostly found in the gastrointestinal tract, where it stimulates the organs. But it’s also called ‘the happy hormone’, because it can contribute to the feeling of happiness.
Which CBD Product of SupMedi can help you with a stomach ulcer?
Although more research is needed, the positive results are great news. Even the World Health Organisation WHO has confirmed in a report that CBD Oil is safe to use, also in the long term.
CBD Oil only has a few side effects and it’s hard to overdose. That’s why it’s safe to explore and figure out your own ideal daily dose!
Be extra careful if you’re already using other medication. CBD can interact with certain types of medication, which can be dangerous. In that case, away consult your doctor first.
And, last but not least, our final tip: aim for quality! SupMedi’s CBD Products are strictly monitored, so you’re always exactly sure what you get!
Order your CBD Oil online, it’s easy!
So, check our online shop now and choose one of our delicious CBD Products! We don’t just sell CBD Oil, but you can also treat yourself to one of our CBD Skincare products or a CBD Snack. These products make it very easy to reach your daily dose and to help you recover from your ulcer in a yummy way!
