Best CBD Oil For Crohn’s: Top 4 Safe & Effective Products In 2024

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, long-term type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It is one of two main types of inflammatory bowel diseases along with ulcerative colitis. Both conditions involve an immune reaction against the intestinal tract.

Crohn’s disease symptoms are unpleasant and characterized by bloody diarrhea, fever, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and abdominal pain. It is controlled by medications that target inflammation, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, steroids, immune modifiers, or biologic agents.

While the exact cause is not understood, it is thought that a combination of genetics, environment, or an overactive immune system may provoke the disease. CBD oil dosage for Crohn’s disease is considered a potential cure.

While symptoms may come and go, the onset of symptoms is unpredictable. The treatment goal is the remission of Crohn’s disease symptoms caused by the inflammatory bowel disease process. A special diet is often followed to control the symptoms including the elimination of alcohol and a restriction of fiber, butter, carbonated beverages, caffeine products, dairy, fatty foods, and corn. 

Despite the limitations, patients need to maintain a healthy diet because inflammation makes it difficult to absorb nutrients. Avoiding “trigger foods” may help alleviate the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms of gas, bloating, and abdominal cramping.

In the lower digestive tract, endocannabinoids are supposed to protect the gut and reduce motility and inflammation – both of which may lead to the disabling pain associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Analgesic properties^[4] of cannabis products are proposed to be via the TRPV1 endocannabinoid system receptors, and relief is often sought using cannabis oils for the abdominal pain that accompanies the cramping of IBD.

The anti-inflammatory effect cannabidiol (CBD) has on tissues should help decrease intestinal inflammation-associated pain. CBD has potent anti-inflammatory activities on pro-inflammatory mediators, making it an ideal choice for the treatment of people with IBD. Read on to find out the best CBD oil dosage for Crohn’s disease.

Best CBD Oil For Crohn’s

How Does CBD Oil Help Crohn’s Disease

Cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, endogenous cannabinoids, and atypical cannabinoids are upregulated in inflammation,^[5] and their presence and stimulation aggravate colitis. In contrast, cannabinoid receptor antagonism and cannabinoid receptor-deficient animal models reverse these anti-inflammatory effects. The endocannabinoid system is implicated^[6] in gut homeostasis, regulation of intestinal motility, visceral sensation, inflammation, and being recently involved in treating IBD. 

Another study demonstrated^[7] a role for cannabinoids in reducing intestinal permeability and reducing inflammation and regulation of intestinal bacteria, especially as it relates to alcohol use disorders. All of these factors can play a role in symptomatic flare-ups in patients with IBD. 

CBD Oil Dosage For Crohn’s Disease

The dosage for Crohn’s disease has not been identified in the literature. We have gleaned that too low of a dose is ineffective at treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For example, during eight weeks of treatment with 10 mg cannabidiol (CBD), no significant improvement^[8] was noted in 20 patients. Researchers conclude from this study that the dose might have been too low, but they also mention that this was a CBD isolate and did not have the benefits of other cannabinoids for an entourage effect. 

In a study of 127 patients undergoing treatment^[8] for Crohn’s disease, the dosage used to be effective in intestinal inflammation was 170 mg of CBD in the form of medical cannabis, which also contained THC. This study points to the fact that IBD patients may need a higher dose than 10 mg to exert the necessary anti-inflammatory effects and impact functional symptoms. It also may indicate that using a CBD isolate may perform differently than full extracts from the cannabis sativa plant with all the entourage effects.

In animal models, research has shown positive effects on inflammation in the gut by rectally administering cannabidiol at a dosage of 20 mg/kg. This study indicated a possible role^[9] for topical administration directly into the gut mucosa to help decrease inflammation. 

In another study on rats, cannabinoids^[10] that included THC, at a dose of 10 mg/kg showed a reduction in inflammation and functional symptoms. The dosage curve followed a bell-shaped pattern.

Before trying CBD for gut inflammation, one should seek medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment first as the dosage for this cannabinoid needs tailoring to the individual and drug interactions assessed before administering any dose. Involving the healthcare system in your decision to use CBD oil will facilitate the coordination of treatment.

How To Take CBD For Crohn’s Disease

Many people turn to CBD with and without medical advice. Those who may not use CBD may use cannabis to control their pain, weight loss, nausea, and other side effects of their illness. Cannabis or CBD might play a role in increasing the quality of life for patients with IBD.

You can take CBD in the form of oils, tinctures, or capsules, or applied topically in the form of lotion, balms, or creams.  For patients with IBD, the best way to take CBD is orally or through the bloodstream by putting tinctures or oils under the tongue or inhaling the oils’ vapors. One might achieve significant health benefits from incorporating the many CBD products on the market into their lifestyle. 

Research On CBD And Crohn’s Disease

To date, most of the research has been on cannabis-related products containing a mixture of THC and CBD. The problem is, that THC is not legal in every state, and not all people want the “high” effects associated with the use of such products. 

For this reason, hemp-extracted CBD products are being explored as a treatment option for IBD. The problem with researching CBD oil dosage for Crohn’s disease is that the Food and Drug Administration has only patented one CBD drug, which was for epilepsy. It has not been approved for the treatment of this disease. 

In a novel approach, a patented enema (all rights reserved) formulation containing CBD has been introduced into the market. The enema protects the intestinal permeability barrier, controls diarrhea, and improves microbiome function. It was explicitly designed with IBD patients in mind after an extensive medical review of the literature.

Still, in light of all the positive data on how CBD might help people with IBD, the medical system seems reluctant to embrace its therapeutic values in health promotion and disease prevention. Many patients could achieve significant health benefits from the use of these products. However, the bottom line is, that more research study is in need.

Frequently Asked Questions

---