CBD oil and diseases of the digestive system

Many diseases of the digestive system are directly related to oxidative stress. These include conditions such as nausea, vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach and duodenal ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer of the stomach, small intestine and large intestine.

To mitigate the damage caused by injury or infection, the human body reacts in an active way, producing an inflammatory response by releasing microglial cells and macrophages. However, activation of microglial and macrophage cells is also associated with the release of glutamate, reactive oxygen compounds (ROS) and nitrogen (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which causes increased inflammation, microvascular complications and endocannabinoid deficiency. 1,2,3,4

CBD reduces nausea and vomiting

CB receptors (in particular CB1) located at the base of the fourth ventricle in the cerebral cortex are associated with nausea and vomiting. Vomiting is associated with acquired clinical endocannabinoid deficiency, induced by inflammatory processes and iatrogenic factors (we wrote about the deficiency here). Both acute and chronic vomiting are associated with electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, which can be life-threatening. Scientific publications recommend the use of hemp oil during chemotherapy. CBD oil increases the amount of cannabinoids circulating in the blood, which combine with CB1 to reduce nausea and vomiting.

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is characterized by the formation of malignant tumors in the tissues of the large intestine and anus, most of which are malignant adenocarcinomas. Clinical and in vivo studies have shown that CBD leads to the death of cancer cells through the stress pathway of the intraplasmic reticulum, which activates autophagy and improves apoptosis. In addition, CBD appears to lead to up-regulation of intracellular adhesive molecules that reduce the invasiveness of cancer cells. These promising results recommend the potential use of CBD oil for the prevention of colorectal cancer to improve endocannabinoid homeostasis and receptor functionality. 5,6,7

Pancreatic cancer

The development of cancer in the pancreas occurs primarily in the third decade of life. In most cases, it is pancreatic cancer, and the diagnosis of cancer usually takes place at an advanced stage, which makes the prognosis poor. Symptoms include dark urine, decreased appetite, weight loss, lighter color of feces, abdominal and back pain, and jaundice. CBD has shown promising results in the treatment of pancreatic cancer by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting the growth of malignant cells. CBD oil also inhibits the formation of reactive oxygen species, thus protecting untransformed cells from the disease process. The results of scientific research demonstrate how administering CBD to people with a hereditary or acquired predisposition to pancreatic cancer could be a specific, possible therapy in the near future. 8,9

Liver cancer

Liver cancer can be primary, induced by inflammatory processes such as hepatitis C, or secondary, which is the result of metastasis in the course of other primary cancers, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer or lung cancer.

Symptoms include m.in jaundice, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. Scientific research shows a link between the anti-cancer effects of cannabidiol in liver cancer and the promotion of cancer cell death, inhibition of cell proliferation and inhibition of cancer angiogenesis. In liver cancer, cannabinoids appear to lead to apoptosis of cancer cells and protect untransformed cells from the disease process, thereby promoting the use of CBD by liver cancer patients. 6,9,10,11

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