One of the many therapeutic uses of industrial hemp is to relieve constipation. Industrial hemp can often be used to relieve stomach pains and intestinal problems. Today, science is moving full steam ahead with research into the clinical potential of industrial hemp. Here we look at the causes of constipation and how industrial hemp can relieve constipation.

What is constipation?

Constipation is defined as difficult or infrequent bowel movements. Constipation can have many causes, affects people of all ages and is usually common but not serious. The interval between bowel movements varies for some people - some people have three bowel movements a day, others may only have a few a week. But if you don't have a bowel movement for more than three days, then the interval is a bit too long. After three days, the stools become harder and thus more difficult to pass.

Constipation & Diarrhoea

If you have never experienced constipation or diarrhoea so far, you are in luck. Here is the difference between the two. Both constipation and diarrhoea are related to bowel movements and can cause stomach pain, bloating and flatulence, but this is where constipation and diarrhoea are the same. Diarrhoea refers to more frequent and loose bowel movements than usual. Constipation, on the other hand, refers to difficult and dry bowel movements and less than three bowel movements per week.

Transient constipation or diarrhoea is not uncommon and is usually not serious. However, episodes of chronic constipation or diarrhoea are usually characterised by more serious problems with the digestive system or other functions of the body.

Why is it constipating?

As food passes through the large intestine, it absorbs water and produces faeces. Then the muscles contract, sending the faeces towards the rectum. By the time the faeces reach the rectum, most of the water has been absorbed by the large intestine, leaving only semi-solid faeces.

Constipation is caused by the large intestine absorbing too much water, which means that it absorbs more water than it should. This causes dry stools, difficult bowel movements and takes a long time to complete. Constipation can occur for a number of reasons, including:

1. Inadequate fluid intake, especially water intake

2. Inadequate intake of dietary fibre

3.Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement

4. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other bowel function problems

5. Abuse of laxatives

6. Changes in lifestyle or habits, e.g. pregnancy, travel, ageing, etc.

Industrial hemp and intestinal functions

Industrial hemp has been used quite extensively for digestive problems in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Scientific research, although limited; has so far shown that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease and the frequency of diarrhoea. There are also studies on the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on the speed of faecal passage through the intestine.

In addition, research is being done to see if industrial hemp has the potential to indirectly address stomach problems caused by the use of other drugs. Opioids are commonly used for pain relief and are known to cause constipation. Medical cannabis is being tested for its potential to help reduce the use of opioids; therefore, medical cannabis may be able to reduce the effects of opioid use in terms of side effects such as constipation.

Industrial hemp is also praised for its ability to put people in a relaxed state. When a person is in a relaxed state, it is easier to respond to their natural nature.

However, there are still some negative reports of industrial hemp. According to one self-reported study, long-term users of industrial hemp reported an increase in the frequency of constipation as the amount of industrial hemp increased.

However, there are some problems with this report. The main problem is that many of the people who thought constipation was a side effect of industrial hemp also had IBS, which is a common side effect of IBS, so these results do not suggest that industrial hemp necessarily causes constipation.

In conclusion, most of the evidence supporting a link between industrial hemp and constipation is anecdotal or preliminary and needs to be confirmed by more scientific studies. However, there are some relevant studies relating to the link between ECS and the gut that may help us answer more questions definitively in the future.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the intestine

Many researchers believe that ECS helps the gut and brain communicate with each other. ecs is associated with the health of the gut in several important ways. Central cannabinoid receptors (CB1) may be abundant in the central nervous system, while peripheral cannabinoid receptors (CB2) are more prevalent throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Changes in the brain caused by stress or pain can alter the function of the gut. In addition, changes in the gut caused by inflammation or infection are transmitted back to the brain. This 'gut-brain' relationship is important for gut health and may affect diseases such as IBS.

ECS plays a key role in the prevention of enteritis. CB1 and CB2 help to calm the inflammatory response when subjected to the action of specific ECS. In addition, it is key to digestion. Muscle contractions in the stomach and intestines allow food to pass through the digestive system and ensure that nutrients are absorbed. When specific cannabinoids bind to CB1, the resulting effects may help to relieve nausea, slow gastric emptying and reduce the amount of stomach acid. The strong stimulation of the CB1 receptors may even make you feel hungry, which is what we call a "hunger pangs".

Is industrial hemp considered a laxative?

If you browse the internet you will find many rumours about recreational hemp being laxative, but what is the real story?A 2019 study detailed a 30% reduction in the chance of constipation in recreational hemp users. This may be because when using industrial hemp to relax, the relaxing effect it has on the body and muscles makes the user feel the urge to poop.

In addition, the way in which industrial hemp is ingested may also have an impact. Nicotine is known to have a mild laxative effect, especially if the user has a low tolerance. If you are smoking, do you mix industrial hemp with nicotine? It is also common to have loose stools or even diarrhoea after indulging in foods containing industrial hemp. Remember that when industrial hemp is digested through the stomach, the cannabinoids undergo a series of changes, including conversion to other chemical forms that may not be gentle on the stomach.

Can CBD cause constipation?

There are few studies on the effects of CBD on constipation. However, constipation is listed as an uncommon side effect of CBD oil along with diarrhoea. This may be due to CBD itself, but may also be caused by the carrier oils and other ingredients contained in CBD products.

The future of industrial hemp and constipation

The findings are limited, but some studies have linked industrial hemp, the gut microbiome, and the ECS to each other. Undoubtedly, as we progress, medicine will further explore and reveal this connection to identify new information that may help alleviate and prevent digestive disorders such as IBS and Crohn's disease (which is an inflammatory disease of the gut of unknown origin).

Severe constipation problems are likely to be caused by an underlying health condition rather than industrial hemp. To address the problem, try using stool softeners, making lifestyle and dietary changes, or seeking professional advice.

Despite this, we cannot ignore the possible relationship between the gut and industrial hemp. If you are experiencing intestinal problems and think they may be due to industrial hemp use, try changing your medication, drinking more water, changing your diet, or taking a break. If you have a serious problem, it is best to consult a doctor.