Does CBD Cause Constipation?
It’s always important to listen to your body when you begin taking a new dietary supplement. If you happen to become constipated after you start taking CBD, you may be wondering if your supplement is the cause. Can CBD cause constipation? It’s unlikely. In fact, it’s more likely that your supplement will optimize your digestion. Here’s what you need to know.
Please Note—CBD companies cannot provide medical advice and we cannot guarantee how CBD will affect your body. The data we provide is for informational purposes. Consult with your physician for guidance on all dietary supplements and health conditions.
What Is CBD?
The hemp plant naturally contains over 100 types of active compounds referred to as cannabinoids. THC and CBD are the two primary cannabinoids found in hemp.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound that gets you high, but CBD (cannabidiol) is primarily responsible for its wellness benefits. Both marijuana and industrial hemp can be referred to as CBD. As long as your product contains .3% or less of THC it is legal in all 50 states, which is not enough to get you high.
Is CBD Legal?
Industrial hemp was legalized nationwide in 2018 as a method of enjoying the benefits of marijuana without the high. While legal to purchase, possess, and consume, your school, employer, or extracurricular activity may prohibit use. This is because there is currently no differentiation between marijuana and CBD at the federal level.
Also be mindful of traveling across state lines with CBD, especially when traveling by airplane. Even if legal in the country you are heading to it is not wise to fly or travel with CBD. This includes both supplements and topical CBD products.
What Are The Benefits Of CBD?
CBD’s primary wellness benefit is that it links the central and peripheral nervous systems (aka. the endocannabinoid system) promoting our body’s natural healing process. This process is referred to as homeostasis. Homeostasis is our body’s way of self-regulating internal functions such as:
- Appetite
- Coordination
- Hormones
- Memory
- Mood
- Pain Control
- Internal pH
- Quality of sleep
- Temperature
- And more!
More specifically, research shows that stimulating the endocannabinoid system can be used:
- As part of treatment for PTSD
- To treat anxiety and depression
- To decrease nausea and increase appetite
- To shrink cancer tumors
- To minimize the frequency of tumors
- To reduce pain and inflammation
- To improve digestion
- To improve quality of sleep
- To improve brain health
- To improve clarity and focus
- And more!
Does CBD Help With Bowel Movements?
You may have found this blog while trying to answer the question of “does CBD make you constipated?”. However, it’s more likely that CBD will improve your bowel movements. Research shows that CBG (another cannabinoid) found in CBD may improve symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
If you are experiencing any type of diagnosed or undiagnosed bowel or digestive issues it is essential to seek out medical attention.
Does CBD Cause Constipation?
It’s unlikely that CBD will cause constipation, but you must always pay attention to any changes in your body. Constipation is a serious condition so seek immediate medical attention if:
- You’ve never been constipated
- You have constipation and stomach pain
- You have blood in your stools
- You are losing weight without trying
- You are straining to have a bowel movement
- You are regularly constipated but have been constipated for 2 to 3 weeks
- It’s been 7 full days since you’ve pooped, sooner if you have any of the side effects above, or any additional side effects
The most common causes of constipation include:
- Dehydration
- Low fiber in your diet
- Limited physical activity
- “Holding it” when you have to go
- A side effect of a prescription medication
Once the cause of your constipation is determined, your physician will discuss your treatment plan. This may include laxatives, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, or a change to your prescription medications. Sometimes it’s as simple as replacing the processed foods in your diet with healthy whole foods.
Can CBD Oil Cause Bowel Problems?
It’s rare that your CBD will cause bowel problems and more likely that it will improve them. However, you may experience digestive side effects when taking CBD supplements, gummies, or topicals.
Anything we consume can have a side effect, including dietary supplements that are naturally derived such as CBD. While extremely rare, and most often when taken in high doses, side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Low-blood pressure
- Reduced appetite
- Negative interaction with prescription medications
What Is Considered A High Dose Of CBD?
A study designed to determine the amount of CBD that would be considered toxic, estimated a “high dose” as 20,000 milligrams taken nearly at once. This would be more than 20 bottles of a 900-milligram bottle of oil tincture, which would not be physician recommended and would be a concerning amount of any type of dietary supplement.
Reach out to your physician to determine your ideal milligrams per serving. The milligrams per serving and how many servings you should take per day will vary by factors such as your gender, height, weight, age, and medical history. Generally, most adults take between 10 and 30 milligrams 1 or 2 times per day—or as-needed. Your physician may suggest higher or lower milligrams per serving.
Can Gummies Cause Constipation?
Yes, and no. If you eat gummy candies in moderation or take your gummy supplements as directed, it’s unlikely that you will experience constipation. If you eat an excessive number of gummy candies or supplements it could upset your digestion. For example, if a child mistakes gummy supplements for candy and eats a large quantity, it could make them sick. This includes an upset tummy, diarrhea, constipation, and other symptoms.
As with all dietary supplements, keep your CBD gummies out of reach for your young children. If children or adults eat too many gummies or supplements it is unlikely that medical attention will be required. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry so seek out immediate medical attention if you have any concerns.
Where To Find Quality CBD?
Now that you have the answer to “Does CBD cause constipation?” you may be ready to give it a try. When selecting a CBD brand, you must prioritize quality. The CBD industry is young and highly unregulated, so identify a brand with high standards for quality. This means avoiding the temptation to purchase products from local retailers before you have the time to perform your own research.
Ensure quality by confirming that CBD products:
- Are USDA Certified Organic
- Contain no unnecessary additives
- Are third-party lab tested
- That lab test results are easily accessible
- Are full or broad-spectrum, not isolate
Holmes Organics CBD meets all of the criteria above. Our products are broad-spectrum and processed to contain 0.0% THC. We offer a diverse range of oral and topical products including:
We are excited to announce that we have a CBD and melatonin product coming soon! We are also in the development phase for a CBD lube and CBD energy drink. We invite you to browse our products today!