More and more people are telling us that they have gut issues – bloating, discomfort and even pain. We have had some amazing feedback with regard to IBS lately, so I wanted to bring you some research to back up what people are experiencing. So here it is!
How Beta-Caryophyllene May Help with IBS: A Natural Approach to Gut Health:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects millions of people, causing discomfort, bloating, and digestive issues.
Here’s what the Mayo Clinic has to say about the causes and triggers of IBS:
“The exact cause of IBS isn’t known.
Factors that appear to play a role include:
- Muscle contractions in the intestine. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract as they move food through your digestive tract. Contractions that are stronger and last longer than usual can cause gas, bloating and diarrhoea. Weak contractions can slow food passage and lead to hard, dry stools.
- Nervous system. Issues with the nerves in your digestive system may cause discomfort when your abdomen stretches from gas or stool. Poorly coordinated signals between the brain and the intestines can cause your body to overreact to changes that typically occur in the digestive process. This can result in pain, diarrhoea or constipation.
- Severe infection. IBS can develop after a severe bout of diarrhoea caused by bacteria or a virus. This is called gastroenteritis. IBS might also be associated with a surplus of bacteria in the intestines (bacterial overgrowth).
- Early life stress. People exposed to stressful events, especially in childhood, tend to have more symptoms of IBS.
- Changes in gut microbes. Examples include changes in bacteria, fungi and viruses, which typically reside in the intestines and play a key role in health. Research indicates that the microbes in people with IBS might differ from those in people who don’t have IBS.
Triggers:
Symptoms of IBS can be triggered by:
- Food. The role of food allergy or intolerance in IBS isn’t fully understood. A true food allergy rarely causes IBS. But many people have worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages. These include wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, beans, cabbage, milk and carbonated drinks.
- Stress. Most people with IBS experience worse or more-frequent symptoms during periods of increased stress. But while stress may make symptoms worse, it doesn’t cause them.”
That’s very interesting!! But how could Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP) help?
What’s the Connection Between IBS and the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?
As we know from previous discussions, the ECS plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including inflammation and gut health. Inflammation is a major contributor to IBS symptoms, and studies have shown that activating certain receptors in the ECS (known as CB1 and CB2 receptors) can reduce inflammation in the gut. This is where beta-caryophyllene comes in.
How Beta-Caryophyllene Works
BCP is unique because it binds directly to CB2 receptors in the ECS, which are primarily involved in controlling inflammation. Research has found that stimulating CB2 receptors can reduce symptoms of colitis, a condition similar to IBS, by decreasing inflammation, diarrhoea, and gut damage.
In experimental studies, activating CB2 receptors helped reduce the severity of inflammation in the colon, even when inflammation was triggered by chemicals that mimic IBS-like symptoms. This is important because it suggests that BCP, which also binds to CB2 receptors, could help reduce gut inflammation and improve symptoms in people with IBS.
Beta-Caryophyllene’s Potential Benefits for IBS
Since inflammation is a key factor in IBS, BCP’s anti-inflammatory properties could make it a natural way to manage symptoms. By interacting with the CB2 receptors in the gut, BCP may help:
- Reduce gut inflammation: BCP’s activation of CB2 receptors has been shown to lower inflammation in the digestive tract, which may help with cramping and discomfort.
- Improve gut barrier function: A healthy gut lining is crucial for preventing “leaky gut,” a condition where harmful substances can pass through the intestinal wall. Studies suggest the ECS plays a role in maintaining this barrier, and BCP could help strengthen it.
- Alleviate diarrhoea: Since BCP can reduce inflammation, it may also help manage diarrhoea, a common symptom of IBS.
- Reduce stress: BCP has been shown to have calming effects, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Since stress is known to trigger or worsen IBS symptoms, BCP’s ability to promote relaxation could provide additional relief for those with IBS.
A Natural Approach to IBS Relief
As always with these studies, they state that more research is needed to fully understand how BCP can help with IBS, the current evidence is promising. This natural terpene, found in plants like cloves and cannabis, could offer a gentle, plant-based solution for managing inflammation and improving gut health. If you’re looking for natural ways to manage IBS symptoms, incorporating Canna Oils BCP into your routine along with other natural remedies such a taking a pro-biotic may be worth exploring.
BCP’s calming effect, along with its anti-inflammatory benefits, makes BCP a well-rounded option for supporting gut health naturally!!
Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4940133/; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016
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Disclaimer: The information in this post is for reference purposes only and not intended to constitute or replace professional medical advice or personal research. Please consult a qualified medical professional before making any changes to your diet, medications or lifestyle. Effects are provided as a guide only. Statements have not been evaluated by the TGA.