You’ve probably heard the buzz about CBD, the wellness world’s newest darling. But did you know that it has benefits for those struggling with gut and digestive issues? I’ve been using Beam CBD Oil for about 6 months, ever since a friend introduced me to the brand. I’d been looking for a CBD product I would feel confident recommending to my clients, and was delighted to discover Beam’s THC-free CBD tinctures.
Read on to learn more about CBD for gut and digestive health, plus overall wellness.
What is CBD and what does ‘THC free’ mean?
Cannabidiol is one of at least 85 active cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, and makes up to 40% of the plant’s total cannabinoid extract. It has the most widely studied applications for medical usage.
Tetrahydrocannabinol is the part of the cannabis plant that induces a euphoric state (i.e. gets you high). Typically most CBD oils and tinctures contain around 0.3% THC, but all of Beam’s CBD products are completely THC free, which is why I use it personally and with my clients in my wellness practices. (Save 15% on your next Beam purchase using my code JHANWAY15).
The Health Benefits of CBD
Most people are familiar with the relaxing effects of CBD, and these are due to the down regulation of the HPA axis at times of stress (think of this as our bodies becoming more resilient and less reactive to stressful situations). CBD specifically reduces our production of cortisol (the stress hormone secreted by our adrenal glands). It has also been shown to reduce anxiety and panic attacks. Additionally, it confers huge antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This is one of the reasons I love to use it with my gut health clients.
CBD Oil for Digestive Issues and Gut Health
One of the reasons great gut health is so intrinsic to overall health and prevention of chronic disease is its relationship to systemic inflammation. An imbalanced microbiome combined with a compromised cellular lining means that food particles and toxins can get into our bloodstream. This alerts our immune system (70-80% of our immune system is housed in the gut) and setting off an inflammatory response. It can cause skin issues including acne, eczema and rosacea, hormone imbalances, thyroid dysfunction, joint pain, brain fog, low energy and lack of libido.
CBD has been shown to modulate both acute and systemic inflammation. It does this by preventing the production of cytokines and interleukins (the proteins that signal to our immune system to set off an inflammatory response), resulting in therapeutic benefits for those suffering with IBS, colitis, gas, bloating and damage to the gut lining.
CBD is also great for digestive health because its cortisol lowering benefits help to prevent leaky gut or intestinal permeability. Cortisol is a catabolic hormone. It breaks down tissues in the body, and it has a hugely destructive effect on the one cell thick lining of our GI tract. Managing cortisol levels is one of the most important aspect of a well functioning digestive system.
Another reason I recommend CBD for overall gut health? It has also been shown to regulate appetite, which can be helpful if you suffer from bloating due to eating too much or too frequently (I recommend a minimum of 3-4 hours between meals and snack for efficient digestion and optimum gastric clearance), or if you struggle to eat enough due to stress around food and gut health.
How to take CBD oil for better gut and digestive health
1. Start with the lowest dose and work your way up
Try taking one serving of Beam CBD Oil in the early evening on a daily basis. If you would like more you can try twice a day (I take mine mid-morning and early evening).
2. Taking CBD when you experience digestive issues and stress-related symptoms
If you have eaten something that is causing cramps and bloating, or are having stress-related symptoms then try 1 serving of Beam CBD Oil to help ease your symptoms.
I typically take my Beam sublingually (placing 1 serving underneath my tongue), holding it there for about a minute, swallowing, then chasing it with a glass of water. There are numerous capillaries under the tongue which means the active ingredients are absorbed straight into the bloodstream, and do not have to go through a possibly compromised GI system, which would negate a lot of the positive benefits of taking CBD. Beam’s mint flavor is perfect for sublingual use.
I also love to add Beam CBD to my morning coffee or afternoon matcha latte. You can even add it to your smoothies if you wish!
Save 15% on your Beam purchase using code JHANWAY15.
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