Around 10% of the population in Western countries suffers from gastritis. If not treated on time, it can lead to debilitating complications.
For example, untreated gastritis can lead to a narrowing of the esophagus, causing difficulty in swallowing. In long-term cases, people can develop cancer of the esophagus, which has a 5-year survival rate of only 20%.
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for gastritis.
But some people have reported relief from their symptoms after using CBD.
In fact, according to a survey, about 14% people use CBD for managing gastro conditions, one of which is gastritis.
In this article, we will take a closer look at:
- What exactly causes gastritis?
- What does the latest research have to say about using CBD for gastritis
- Whether it's safe to take CBD with omeprazole, an acid-suppressing drug often used as a first-line treatment for heartburn that results from gastritis
Table of Contents
What Causes Gastritis?
Gastritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the stomach lining. This can lead to a number of different symptoms, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
Stomach inflammation can be caused by a number of different things, such as:
- Infection by a bacterium called H.pylori
- Stress, which can be seen in trauma, burns, and severe illness
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Aspirin.
There are also some diseases that can inflame the stomach lining as part of the symptoms. These include:
- Crohn's disease
- Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body)
- Menetrier disease
Here’s a comprehensive video explaining the causes and symptoms of gastritis.
Can CBD Help With Stomach Inflammation?
There are no direct studies looking at the usefulness of CBD for gastritis. However, there is plenty of evidence that suggests CBD has anti-inflammatory properties.
One example is a meta-analysis conducted by the University of Nottingham.
The Nottingham study looked at 51 different publications on the effect of CBD on colitis, which is inflammation of the large intestine, quite similar to gastritis.
Here is what the researchers concluded:
"There is abundant preclinical literature demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD in inflammation of the gut. Larger randomized controlled-trials are warranted."
Another example is this study published in Phytotherapy Research. Here, researchers looked at the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD.
They gave 30 mg of CBD to 10 healthy adults and looked at their white blood cells (WBCs). WBCs are responsible for causing inflammation in gastritis.
Researchers found that the WBCs collected from participants produced a reduced amount of TNF, the chemical released by WBCs which is responsible for mediating inflammation in the body.
Finally, we have a research paper published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. In this paper, researchers review the scientific literature on the use of cannabis for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Unlike gastritis, IBD refers to the inflammation of the entire gut.
This is especially true for Crohn's disease, which is a type of IBD and can affect any part of the gut from mouth to the anus. After reviewing the relevant studies, here's what the researchers concluded:
"The use of cannabis leads to the improvement of IBD scores and quality of life. The medical use of cannabis is on the rise."
Should You Use CBD For Gastritis?
As you can see, we do have evidence for CBD helping with conditions similar to gastritis.
For example, we know it can help with colitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Both of these cause inflammation in the gut, just like gastritis.
We also know that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties in general. The study looking at TNF levels above is a good example of how CBD might reduce inflammation.
So although there are no direct studies on CBD for gastritis, the available evidence does suggest it could be helpful.
You might want to start with Imaginal CBD softgels, which contain 25 mg of CBD. This is closer to the dose used by researchers in one of the studies above.
As a bonus these softgels also contain curcumin which has anti-inflammatory properties.
But be sure to consult with your doctor first.
They can help you figure out the best way to use it. And they can make sure it won't interact with any other medications you're taking.
Can I Take Omeprazole With CBD?
Omeprazole is an acid-suppressing drug that's often prescribed to patients with gastritis.
Unfortunately, CBD and omeprazole are broken down by the same enzyme in the body. This means that taking them together could lead to omeprazole not being broken down properly, increasing its levels.
As omeprazole levels rise in the body, you may start experiencing side effects that you normally wouldn’t. These include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Increased risk of infection by a bacterium called C.Difficile
- Decreased absorption of iron, leading to anemia
- Decreased absorption of calcium, leading to weakened bones
So before you start taking CBD, make sure to speak with your doctor. They might be able to adjust your dosage or switch you to a different medication.
Some FAQs About CBD And Gastritis
Is CBD oil good for stomach ulcers?
By reducing stomach inflammation, CBD oil might improve the symptoms of stomach ulcers. But there are no direct studies looking at the effects of CBD oil on stomach ulcers.
Can CBD cause stomach problems?
CBD may lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea when used excessively. However, there is no evidence that it can worsen stomach inflammation when used properly.
Does CBD help with acidity?
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body. The ECS system is known to reduce acid production in the stomach, which might help with acidity.
Final words
CBD is a promising natural treatment for gastritis,, and anecdotal evidence suggests that many people have gotten relief from its symptoms after using CBD.
However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
If you're thinking about trying CBD for your gastritis, be sure to consult with your doctor first. They can help you figure out the best way to use it and make sure it won't interact with omeprazole.
If you get the go-ahead from your doctor, experiment with lower dosages and preferably start off with broad spectrums or isolates that have no THC, which might give you a positive blood test and get you "high".
(This article has been written by Eilaf Meenai)
