Did you know gas is a part of life? In fact, passing gas is something that can’t be avoided – nor should it be. We mean, since it’s an important function of the body. But, some of us have excessive gas. This, in turn, leads to uncomfortable bloating and the potential for some embarrassing moments when socializing.
Producing excessive gas always has an underlying cause, which should be addressed by your doctor. But, there are some great methods for managing the occasional bout of excessive, uncomfortable gas, including certain cannabinoids in the hemp plant. If you’re aware for how cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), then you won’t be surprised to learn that some of them have particularly useful properties that relate to digestive functions including gas.
What Causes Excessive Gassiness?
Excessive gas is most often caused by diet. If the digestive tract struggles to break down certain foods, or if we’re consuming heavily fermented foods that cause gas to develop, then we’re going to end up with some problems. Those who struggle with chronic excessive gas may very well have a digestive disorder that needs to be addressed. Whether it’s an inflammatory disorder like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or a chronic infection like SIBO (small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth).
Still, we’re all prone to bouts of passing gas, usually because we ate something that day. Having occasional gassiness doesn’t mean that you have a condition that requires treatment.
How is Excess Gas and Bloating Usually Treated?
Excessive gas and bloating is something you should bring up with your doctor, especially if it’s chronic or severe. It could be that you have a sensitivity to a certain food, or that you’ve inflammation occurring in your intestines. A doctor can provide the appropriate tests to determine what the underlying cause might be. These could be blood tests, stool tests, or x-rays. From there, they can then figure out what would best alleviate your symptoms.
If you’re experiencing gas sporadically, due to certain foods you eat, for instance, then there are plenty of over-the-counter products you can purchase. These can range from peppermint oil to enzymes that break down foods causing this kind of reaction.
What Can Cannabinoids Offer to Help with Gassiness?
You have to admit, it’s pretty amazing how the hemp plant has given us a multitude of cannabinoids/compounds that could offer holistic relief to so many things that we experience daily. And, excessive gas seems to be one of them. To understand why cannabinoids may be able to address this uncomfortable problem, gotta look at how these compounds absorb into the human body.
Cannabinoids are unique to cannabis. And, they’re the only compounds that directly bind to the body’s cannabinoid receptors, as part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS uses this binding process to bring us into homeostasis. How’s this done? By regulating individual processes of the body correlating to each cannabinoid receptor.
Mainly, it’s CB2 receptors, which’re cannabinoid receptors in the digestive system. These seem to have the largest effect on what’s happening in our lower digestive system. Cannabinoids bind directly to these receptors and regulate processes that affect digestive function, including functions related to gas.
Worth pointing out that you’re more likely to derive these desired effects from cannabinoids by ingesting them, as opposed to vaping them or smoking them. Why? Because by ingesting cannabinoids, they’re making direct, prolonged contact with the digestive tract. Basically, they’re targeting these CB2 receptors in question to bind with them in an efficient manner.
So, if you’re looking to address gas, opt for gummies, capsules, beverages, or tinctures that are swallowed once they’re done absorbing through the sublingual tissue.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
CBD offers two distinctive properties that play a role in managing gas: anti-inflammatory properties and antispasmodic properties.
- A common culprit behind overproduction of gas is inflammation of the digestive tract, which causes a hyperreactive digestive system that struggles to digest food properly, leading to gas accumulation. Hence, those anti-inflammatory properties.
- Meanwhile, antispasmodics are capable of soothing the tissue of the intestines. This is to reduce spasms that can cause a lot of discomfort due to gas. Not to mention, the passing of gas.
Hemp-Derived Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9 THC)
Delta 9 THC is a well-regarded cannabinoid when it comes to digestive discomfort and dysfunction. Delta-9 is commonly prescribed to medical patients around the country to address a variety of digestive ailments, due to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties much like CBD. Of course, hemp-derived delta 9 is federally compliant, meaning you can easily order it online and not worry about breaking the law. Conveniently, hemp-derived delta 9 products typically come in ingestible form.
Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 8 THC)
Researchers haven’t yet explored the possibility that delta 8 THC offers antispasmodic properties. Still, we are aware that delta 8 can be a very useful anti-inflammatory, and its analgesic properties may play a role in putting the digestive tract at ease. There hasn’t really been any research suggesting the possibility that delta 8 plays a direct role in lower digestive health. However, you may find that its unique interaction with your body’s endocannabinoid system is extremely helpful.
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)
HHC is a hydrogenated form of delta 9 THC that seems to match the properties that delta 9 can offer, including the properties we covered pertaining to gas, like anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic qualities. What this all means is that HHC may really come in handy in this department. Also, because of federal hemp laws, HHC products come in higher milligram strengths than delta 9.
Give Cannabinoids a Try for a Natural Sense of Ease
Overall, cannabinoids like CBD, delta 9, delta 8, and HHC might be able to provide you with the ease you need to feel less gassy. Incorporating them into your daily routine through ingestible products can be particularly helpful by providing you with a consistent serving of their properties, while ensuring that the cannabinoids best absorb directly into the tissue of the digestive tract. All of these cannabinoids can be found at Pure CBD Now, in the form of edibles, tinctures, capsules and drinkables, allowing you to explore the potential for real relief.
Reference:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8952215/
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gas-digestive-tract/diagnosis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10490883/