One of the most frequently asked questions on the internet is of course, cannabis diarrhea. Is it possible? Is it something that should be an expected side effect or not? There are legit reasons for this, but it may not just be the marijuana, but it may be other things too. Pot does make you poop, but here are some facts to know about with this.
What’s Going on?
The human body does love cannabis, and there are tons of benefits, with the receptors helping to properly regulate the body. they are controlled by these CB1 receptors, which are the “traffic cops” that properly monitor and adjust the different rates. You also have the CB2 receptor, which is responsible for the immune system, the contraction, and bowel inflammation.
In the body, these receptors can sometimes have a lot of beneficial results, but sometimes, it does cause bathroom issues. So who is to blame here? It may not be THC, but rather the CBD content in this. In trials for Epidiolex, there was the side effect or diarrhea, but not every participant got it, however a lot of them did. Some people did get it, but none of them were so bad that it required them to go see a doctor.
Full spectrum CBD does help with bowel issues, including Crohn’s disease and IBS, and reduces inflammation. However, higher dosages did result in more bathroom trips, especially for those not used to this as well. CBD does regulate the gut motility in some cases, so it may stimulate your GI tract and push everything out. The antioxidants that are there too also may help you feel better too, and may be a good solution for constipation, but if you’re far from a bathroom, this is a major problem.
When to Worry
The biggest time to worry is if you notice cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which is basically that you’re dealing with bad reactions to cannabis, including vomiting, abdominal issues and pain, nausea, and diarrhea. This can happen if you take cannabis products that are too potent. Sometimes, this ca cause persistent vomiting, which means you may need to go to the hospital until the side effects and symptoms calm down.
Why it Happens
Some people may get it because of how potent something is. Sometimes, if you’re having too much CBD, or too much THC, it may cause this, especially in those who are sensitive. Some people may need more CBD though in order to have more gut motility. You also may have this happen because of stress, and there is a theory which says that if you have cannabis, you’ll have less constipation, so it’s something that may be good in the long haul and might just be your gut holding onto it.
One of the molecules in this called 2-AG is actually responsible for controlling when you need to poop, so it may cause a parasympathetic influence on the body, which means that it is possibly inadvertently controlling. Naturally, though, it’s still something that people may want to talk to their doctor about.
There are studies which show that the cannabinoids that are occurring in the gut may help with peristalsis, and this is the flexing involuntarily and the relaxation of your muscles in your intestine, which may help with instances and severity of diarrhea.
Really though, it’s a rare circumstance, but it’s something that may possibly lead to better bowel movements after your body gets used to it, and it’s something that, after a bit, the body may want to possibly adjust as well for your own benefit too.