Cannabidiol (CBD) has made a name for itself due to its versatile therapeutic effects and lack of side effects. Still, this statement isn’t 100% true.
More and more research is appearing linking CBD to potential relief of a number of health conditions. Yet, this research remains in very preliminary stages and cannot be used to define the substance.
On top of this, many users do experience side effects from CBD. Admittedly, these side effects tend to be mild. However, they’re still enough of a concern to discuss at further length.
That said, some out there may ask themselves the question, “Can CBD cause diarrhea?” Throughout this article, we’re going to take a deeper look at this answer.
Does CBD Help with Diarrhea?
Some studies have found that you may be able to use CBD to help ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This condition is often associated with abdominal pain and discomfort alongside diarrhea or constipation. Such pains are due to the lack of proper regulation of gut motility – the movement of food throughout the body.
CBD has been found to regulate gut motility – largely thanks to the gut’s overall connection with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). That said, research has found that CBD can help balance out intestinal hypermotility (unrestrained digestive muscle movement) and hypomotility (limited movement) when caused by inflammation.
As a result, CBD may reduce varying symptoms of IBS, including diarrhea. However, such results shouldn’t be taken single-handedly. Since each of our bodies is built differently, not everyone can expect to feel diarrhea relief from taking CBD products. In fact, some may experience quite the opposite.
Can CBD Cause Diarrhea?
If you were to look up a list of side effects concerning CBD, you’re likely going to find diarrhea there. This only raises the question as to why CBD causes diarrhea in some users but appears to relieve it in those with IBS.
The secret here is in dosing. Research has found that individuals who take extremely large doses of CBD are much more likely to experience diarrhea. And by extremely large doses, we’re talking upwards of 300mg at a time.
Naturally, most people aren’t taking this much in a single dose. In fact, between 25mg and 50mg is typical for an average CBD dose. That said, most individuals are likely not going to experience diarrhea from taking CBD oil.
What About THC?
Since the cannabis plant is made up of over 100 cannabinoids, some may wonder whether or not the others can inflict diarrhea. Admittedly, there’s been little research on compounds such as cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN). That said, it’s impossible to say whether or not products with high concentrations of these cannabinoids will inflict diarrhea.
But what about tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)?
Since THC has been researched more than CBD, we can say that there’s been less evidence to suggest THC causes diarrhea. In fact, THC tends to produce other side effects not seen in CBD, such as:
- Dry mouth
- Increased appetite
- Red eyes
- Short-term memory problems
Why You May Experience Diarrhea From CBD?
If you’re experiencing diarrhea from a CBD product, there are a number of concerns to make yourself aware of. These include:
Consumption Method
The type of product you’re consuming can play a role in whether or not you experience diarrhea from CBD. For example, CBD oils tend to be made using MCT oil as a carrier. Taking too much of this oil can cause a number of negative side effects, including diarrhea.
Other CBD products also hold similar risks. For example, the gelatin found in CBD gummies or the binding ingredients in CBD capsules may cause diarrhea.
The best products for avoiding diarrhea are CBD vapes and CBD topicals. The reason for this is they don’t enter the body through the digestive tract and are much less likely to cause problems there.
Quality of Product
Since the CBD industry is unregulated, there are a number of companies providing users with poor-quality products. These products may hold contaminants or other additives that are not healthy for the human body and, as a result, cause diarrhea.
In order to ensure you’re only purchasing quality products, you’ll want to do a little research into the company before buying. Keep an eye out for their manufacturing process and where they source their hemp. On top of this, you’ll want to make sure the brand offers third-party lab results (sometimes referred to as a Certificate of Analysis).
Dosage
As already discussed, the amount of CBD you’re taking can be a strong indicator of whether or not you experience diarrhea from a product. If you’re new to CBD, it’s best to start low and work your way up. This will give you an idea of how CBD has an effect on you and how much you’ll need to garner the effects you’re looking for.
To give you some perspective, you can use our chart to determine an average CBD dose:
