How does CBD help with Gallbladder problems?

According to a 2017 study, “CBD is mostly devoid of adverse psychoactive effects and possesses anticonvulsant, analgesic, anti-anxiety, antiemetic, immune-modulating, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotectant, and anti-tumorigenic properties”.

As mentioned above, CBD not only aids in gallbladder problems but also takes care of the gastrointestinal issues. It also supports gut health and relieves digestive issues.

It works to protect the intestinal cells and gallbladder from chemical or inflammatory damage and inhibits the development of harmful diseases. 

Based on the studies and researches available, here’s how CBD can help the patients with Gallbladder and GI issues:

Reduces Inflammation and Pain

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection or injury. Chronic inflammation is a common symptom in people suffering from the gallbladder and gastrointestinal issues. 

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, and it works through various receptors, fatty acids, hormones, and cell-signaling proteins to reduce the discomfort in the patient.

Pain is another major symptom of gallbladder disease. The pain can be dull, achy, sharp, or sudden depending on the cause. It affects the abdomen to the lower back. 

CBD has analgesic (pain-relieving) properties that can decrease discomfort in the patients

A 2004 study revealed that CBD interacts with the vanilloid TRPV1 receptor to produce its anti-hyperalgesic effect. It was used to treat acute inflammation in a rat model. 

CBD has antinociceptive effects through which it can prevent the detection of painful signals by the sensory neurons. That’s why its effects last longer than the usual painkillers. 

Heals Leaky Gut   

Leaky gut or intestinal permeability is a digestive condition that affects the lining of the intestines. Here the bacteria and toxins leak from the intestinal walls into the bloodstream.  

The common symptoms of leaky gut are inflammation, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, etc. It can further lead to gallstones and gastrointestinal diseases.

CBD may help in relieving this condition. A 2017 study concluded that CBD can “restore the intestinal barrier integrity, through the involvement of the CB1 receptor”.

A 2012 study showed that “phytocannabinoids have therapeutic potential for reversing the disordered intestinal permeability associated with inflammation”. 

In another 2019 study, it was revealed that CBD when taken with palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) can reduce intestinal hyper-permeability (leaky gut) induced by inflammation. This is also beneficial for people with Irritable bowel syndrome. 

Improves Metabolism

The endocannabinoid system also regulates the metabolic function in the body. It is made up of metabolic enzymes that help in energy storage, transportation of nutrients, and insulin sensitivity. 

A 2012 study investigated the association between metabolic syndrome and the development of gallstone disease (GSD). It concluded that more the components of metabolic syndrome are there in the body, higher is the prevalence of GSD. 

The use of CBD has shown significant development in treating metabolic disorders like diabetes. However, we require specific studies to prove their use for gallstones.

CBD turns the white fat cells into brown to prevent the risk of obesity. This further leads to increased lipolysis, thermogenesis, and reduction of lipogenesis. It, therefore, improves the user’s metabolic health. 

Promotes Brain Health

The discomfort in your gut also affects brain function. A 2019 study talks about this gut-brain connection. 

The inflammation in the gut usually causes brain fog, lack of concentration, and even anxiety. It also leads to inflammation in the brain which could develop into neurodegenerative disease. 

A 2018 review revealed that CBD can attenuate acute autonomic responses induced by stress by activating the 5HT1A (serotonin) receptors. 

Also, it concluded that CBD can show neuroprotective effects by activating the adenosine receptors. It can enhance the signaling of adenosine to mediate immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects in the body.

Pros and Cons of using CBD to Treat Your Gallbladder Problems

Before using CBD for your gallbladder condition, let’s understand its pros and cons:

Pros

• CBD helps alleviate pain and inflammation in the gallbladder.
• Helps heal leaky gut and promotes overall health by taking care of metabolism and the brain. 
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “CBD is

generally well-tolerated with a good safety profile”.

• The patient cannot develop tolerance or get addicted to CBD. It delivers therapeutic benefits without making them ‘high’.
• Has relatively milder side effects than medication drugs.

Cons

• There are limited studies related to CBD’s efficacy for gallbladder problems. 
• There’s no standard CBD dosage prescribed for its usage for gallbladder.
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate CBD except in the case of epilepsy. 
• Due to the lack of regulation and standardization, low quality, mislabelled CBD products are being sold in the market that can be harmful.  

CBD and Alternative Treatments for Gallbladder Problems

Many patients go for complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) to relieve gallbladder pain. They can also prevent the further development of gallbladder diseases. This should be done in supervision of a healthcare practitioner. Here’s what all it includes:

Maintain a healthy weight: Being obese puts you at risk for various gallbladder problems. It is important to maintain a healthy weight, reducing your calorie intake, and indulging regular exercise. 

CBD also helps in improving your metabolism and reduces the risk of gallbladder diseases related to metabolic syndrome. 

Dietary changes: To lower the plasma insulin levels, it is important to make significant changes in your diet. Eliminate fatty foods and refined carbohydrates from your diet. 

Try having unrefined carbs like whole grains, legumes, and starchy vegetables. 

Like CBD, these foods will help in reducing inflammation as they get digested slowly and ensure a steady dosage of sugar in your body. 

Herbal medicine: You can also rely on turmeric, bupleurum, Oregon grape, and coin grass to reduce the painful inflammation caused by the gallbladder diseases. It may also relieve liver congestion. 

CBD is also a herbal compound that comes from plants and treats the health ailments naturally. You can easily add it to your wellness routine.

How to take CBD for Gallbladder?

CBD is available in many forms in the market for you to choose from. Take a look:

CBD Oil

The most common way to take Cannabidiol is in the form of oil tincture. As oils are molecular carriers, they hold more cannabinoids than other CBD products. They easily get absorbed into the bloodstream to show desired effects. 

How to use: The best way to take CBD oil is sublingually. You need to put it under the tongue and let it sit for 90 seconds and then swallow it. The effects will appear in 15 to 45 minutes. 

You can also have CBD oil in the form of capsules, edibles like gummies, baked goods. 

CBD Topicals

Another way to use CBD is through CBD topicals. This includes ointments, lotions, and salves. These topicals get absorbed in the skin to provide relief in the affected areas. 

How to use: Apply the cream generously on the upper abdomen or back area at the site of the pain. You can reapply it after 30-60 minutes until the pain reduces.

Pro tip: Always check the ingredients of the topical to check if you are not allergic to any of them. 

CBD Dosage for Gallbladder Problems

Unfortunately, there is no recommended dosage of CBD for gallbladder diseases. It may depend on your weight, metabolism, cause of the pain, and its severity.

Finding the right dosage is a process of trials and experimentation. 

You can either follow the instructions on the package or start with the lowest dosage. 

Increase the dosage as required. Once you get the desired effects, stick to that dosage. 

For further assistance, consult your doctor. 

Side Effects of CBD

Although you cannot develop a tolerance or addiction towards CBD, it is important you do not overindulge in it. 

It may cause some mild side-effects, like:

• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Headache 

If the side effects become too severe, we advise you to discontinue the use. 

Conclusion: Should you try?

Although there is a long way to go for CBD as a potential gallbladder treatment, the present researches spark a promising light of hope. It may become a natural alternative to the drugs currently being used. 

As CBD can be procured without any proper prescription, the risk of its side effects also increases. It may even interact with your over the counter (OTC) medications. 

Therefore, we recommend you to consult your healthcare provider before taking CBD for any gallbladder problem. They shall let you know if it is safe for you to use given your medical state. 

We hope we helped you understand the efficacy of CBD for gallbladder problems. Stay healthy, stay fit!