Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is CBD?CBD for UC SymptomsSide EffectsHow to UseHow to BuyFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is CBD?
CBD for UC Symptoms
Side Effects
How to Use
How to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic disease that affects the large intestine (colon), causing inflammation and small sores (or ulcers). UC symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, bloody stool, and the need to pass stool frequently.
There is no cure for ulcerative colitis, so treatment prioritizes symptom relief and reducing flare-ups. Many people with ulcerative colitis turn to alternative treatments, such ascannabidiol(CBD), to take control of the disease and improve their quality of life.
Read on to learn more about how CBD may be a useful supplemental therapy in the management of UC symptoms.
Tinnakorn Jorruang / Getty Images
Inflammation, CBD, and Ulcerative Colitis
Cannabis plants contain chemicals called cannabinoids, which are compounds unique to the plant. The two primary cannabinoids are:
Both CBD and THC interact with theendocannabinoid system(ECS) in the body. The ECS is a complex biological system that regulates cardiovascular, nervous, and immune system functions.
CBD binds to and activates receptors in the brain that create a therapeutic effect in the body, helping users find relief from painful symptoms without feeling impaired.
CBD has many therapeutic properties and is a known anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant.Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD may be a potential therapeutic treatment for ulcerative colitis.
CBD for Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms
One study found that participants with UC who took 50 milligrams (mg) of CBD oil twice a day, increasing to 250 mg per dose if needed and tolerated, experienced significant improvements in their quality of life.However, more research and follow-up studies are needed.
Another study analyzed the efficacy of CBD use in adults with ulcerative colitis. The study concluded that CBD extracts may help alleviate symptoms of IBD and UC.
Although more research is needed, current study results show promise that CBD may be beneficial for treating symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Though CBD is generally well tolerated, you may experience some side effects. Common side effects include:
CBD and Your Liver
How to Use CBD for Ulcerative Colitis
While CBD won’t cure ulcerative colitis, it may help make your symptoms more manageable and help reduce flares.
There are many different forms of CBD, and you may need to try different delivery methods before finding the one that is right for you.
CBD is available in:
Shopping for CBD
When shopping for CBD, you will notice different types available. These include:
For the best results, look for broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD products. These may combine the effects of multiple cannabis compounds that work together in synergy, creating an “entourage effect” to offer the most health benefits.
Dosage
Because CBD is still a relatively new therapeutic option for managing different health conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases, there is currently no recommended standard dosage.
In one study, patients with ulcerative colitis were given 50 mg of CBD oil twice a day. Some participants were able to increase to as much as 250 mg twice a day for a period of 10 weeks.
Another study also recorded dose ranges of 50 mg to 250 mg CBD capsules twice daily. Many participants were able to tolerate the higher dosage and saw improvements, though the study authors suggested that more research is needed.
As with many medications, it’s best to start with a lower dose and gradually increase the amount of CBD to determine the appropriate dosage.
Talk to Your Healthcare ProviderIt’s important to talk with your healthcare provider before adding any supplemental therapy, such as CBD, to your ulcerative colitis treatment. They will be able to determine if CBD will be beneficial for your individual case and can recommend the right dosage.
Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider before adding any supplemental therapy, such as CBD, to your ulcerative colitis treatment. They will be able to determine if CBD will be beneficial for your individual case and can recommend the right dosage.
How to Buy CBD
With so many different options available, it can be daunting to shop for CBD. CBD is generally safe and well tolerated, but the industry is poorly regulated, and consumers should be aware of what to look for before purchasing CBD.
You’ll want to carefully read the label of any products you are considering and look for:
You’ll also want to consider:
Avoid products and vendors that make broad, definitive statements or promises of a “cure” for something. If you are currently taking any other medications or supplements for your UC, speak with your healthcare provider before using CBD, as it may interact with other medications you are taking.
A Word From Verywell
People with ulcerative colitis may want to consider alternative treatments such as CBD to help manage their symptoms. It’s important to remember that while CBD may help improve your symptoms, it will not treat or cure the condition.
Cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties that may make them helpful in managing symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis. Research suggests CBD is a promising therapeutic for inflammatory bowel diseases, helping reduce mucosal lesions, ulceration, and inflammation associated with IBD.CBD may also help manage gastrointestinal pain, as well as secondary symptoms that come with IBD, such as anxiety, nausea, and sleep disturbances.
The cannabis plant (to be smoked/vaped) comes in different strains, with varying CBD and THC levels. CBD-dominant cannabis strains may provide the best relief for inflammation. These strains tend to be high in the terpene called myrcene, which helps reduce inflammation.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of ulcerative colitis.Zou S, Kumar U.Cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system: signaling and function in the central nervous system.Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(3):833. doi:10.3390/ijms19030833Blaskovich MAT, Kavanagh AM, Elliott AG, et al.The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol.Commun Biol. 2021;4(1):7. doi:10.1038/s42003-020-01530-yDe Filippis D, Esposito G, Cirillo C, et al.Cannabidiol reduces intestinal inflammation through the control of neuroimmune axis.PLOS ONE. 2011;6(12):e28159. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028159Kafil TS, Nguyen TM, MacDonald JK, Chande N.Cannabis for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;(11). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012954.pub2Irving PM, Iqbal T, Nwokolo C, et al.A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, pilot study of cannabidiol-rich botanical extract in the symptomatic treatment of ulcerative colitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(4):714-724. doi:10.1093/ibd/izy002Food & Drug Administration.What you need to know (and what we’re working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.LiverTox: clinical and research information on drug-induced liver injury: cannabidiol.Food & Drug Administration.FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy.Russo EB.The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: no “strain,” no gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969Gyires K, Zádori ZS.Role of cannabinoids in gastrointestinal mucosal defense and inflammation.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2016;14(8):935-951. doi:10.2174/1570159x14666160303110150Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S.Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series.Perm J. 2019;23:18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041Surendran S, Qassadi F, Surendran G, Lilley D, Heinrich M.Myrcene—what are the potential health benefits of this flavouring and aroma agent?Front Nutr. 2021;8:699666. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.699666
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of ulcerative colitis.Zou S, Kumar U.Cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system: signaling and function in the central nervous system.Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(3):833. doi:10.3390/ijms19030833Blaskovich MAT, Kavanagh AM, Elliott AG, et al.The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol.Commun Biol. 2021;4(1):7. doi:10.1038/s42003-020-01530-yDe Filippis D, Esposito G, Cirillo C, et al.Cannabidiol reduces intestinal inflammation through the control of neuroimmune axis.PLOS ONE. 2011;6(12):e28159. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028159Kafil TS, Nguyen TM, MacDonald JK, Chande N.Cannabis for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;(11). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012954.pub2Irving PM, Iqbal T, Nwokolo C, et al.A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, pilot study of cannabidiol-rich botanical extract in the symptomatic treatment of ulcerative colitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(4):714-724. doi:10.1093/ibd/izy002Food & Drug Administration.What you need to know (and what we’re working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.LiverTox: clinical and research information on drug-induced liver injury: cannabidiol.Food & Drug Administration.FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy.Russo EB.The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: no “strain,” no gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969Gyires K, Zádori ZS.Role of cannabinoids in gastrointestinal mucosal defense and inflammation.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2016;14(8):935-951. doi:10.2174/1570159x14666160303110150Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S.Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series.Perm J. 2019;23:18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041Surendran S, Qassadi F, Surendran G, Lilley D, Heinrich M.Myrcene—what are the potential health benefits of this flavouring and aroma agent?Front Nutr. 2021;8:699666. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.699666
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of ulcerative colitis.Zou S, Kumar U.Cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system: signaling and function in the central nervous system.Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(3):833. doi:10.3390/ijms19030833Blaskovich MAT, Kavanagh AM, Elliott AG, et al.The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol.Commun Biol. 2021;4(1):7. doi:10.1038/s42003-020-01530-yDe Filippis D, Esposito G, Cirillo C, et al.Cannabidiol reduces intestinal inflammation through the control of neuroimmune axis.PLOS ONE. 2011;6(12):e28159. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028159Kafil TS, Nguyen TM, MacDonald JK, Chande N.Cannabis for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;(11). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012954.pub2Irving PM, Iqbal T, Nwokolo C, et al.A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, pilot study of cannabidiol-rich botanical extract in the symptomatic treatment of ulcerative colitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(4):714-724. doi:10.1093/ibd/izy002Food & Drug Administration.What you need to know (and what we’re working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.LiverTox: clinical and research information on drug-induced liver injury: cannabidiol.Food & Drug Administration.FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy.Russo EB.The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: no “strain,” no gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969Gyires K, Zádori ZS.Role of cannabinoids in gastrointestinal mucosal defense and inflammation.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2016;14(8):935-951. doi:10.2174/1570159x14666160303110150Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S.Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series.Perm J. 2019;23:18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041Surendran S, Qassadi F, Surendran G, Lilley D, Heinrich M.Myrcene—what are the potential health benefits of this flavouring and aroma agent?Front Nutr. 2021;8:699666. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.699666
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of ulcerative colitis.
Zou S, Kumar U.Cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system: signaling and function in the central nervous system.Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(3):833. doi:10.3390/ijms19030833
Blaskovich MAT, Kavanagh AM, Elliott AG, et al.The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol.Commun Biol. 2021;4(1):7. doi:10.1038/s42003-020-01530-y
De Filippis D, Esposito G, Cirillo C, et al.Cannabidiol reduces intestinal inflammation through the control of neuroimmune axis.PLOS ONE. 2011;6(12):e28159. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028159
Kafil TS, Nguyen TM, MacDonald JK, Chande N.Cannabis for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;(11). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012954.pub2
Irving PM, Iqbal T, Nwokolo C, et al.A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, pilot study of cannabidiol-rich botanical extract in the symptomatic treatment of ulcerative colitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(4):714-724. doi:10.1093/ibd/izy002
Food & Drug Administration.What you need to know (and what we’re working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.LiverTox: clinical and research information on drug-induced liver injury: cannabidiol.
Food & Drug Administration.FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy.
Russo EB.The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: no “strain,” no gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969
Gyires K, Zádori ZS.Role of cannabinoids in gastrointestinal mucosal defense and inflammation.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2016;14(8):935-951. doi:10.2174/1570159x14666160303110150
Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S.Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series.Perm J. 2019;23:18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041
Surendran S, Qassadi F, Surendran G, Lilley D, Heinrich M.Myrcene—what are the potential health benefits of this flavouring and aroma agent?Front Nutr. 2021;8:699666. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.699666
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