Why Does CBD Oil Make Me Feel Constipated?

Did you know many people take CBD oil to improve their gut health? CBD is known to have several anti-inflammatory properties that promote digestive health. 

So if your CBD oil is giving you constipation, there could be more things at play than just a bad reaction. 

Can CBD Oil Cause Constipation? 

The chances of CBD oil causing constipation are minimal. 

Part of the reason that constipation is such an infrequent side effect of CBD oil is that it aids in the digestive process. A regular dose of CBD improves appetite and bowel movements. The opposite is usually the effect of unsupervised or excessive CBD use. 

Diarrhea, not constipation, is a common side effect of CBD oil use. But you cannot complete the possibility because CBD is not the only ingredient in CBD oil. Along with the cannabidiol, the product may contain carrier oils, flavoring, coloring, and more. 

The list of additives is even longer if you use CBD oil capsules and edibles. These products may contain sweeteners, dyes, and other synthetic ingredients that may negatively affect your bowel movement. Artificial flavoring and sugars are more likely to cause constipation than CBD. 

Why Oil Quality Matters 

It is also crucial to ensure that you buy a quality product when purchasing your CBD oil. The CBD market is still widely unregulated, and reports show that 1 in 4 goods do not get checked for purity. 

Quality control is poor, and many suppliers deliberately supply subpar cannabis crops to make these products. In addition, cannabis is known for absorbing all the soil substances to survive. So the chances of pesticides, toxins, and heavy metals in these unchecked products are high.  

The presence of these harmful substances may be contributing to your constipation more than the CBD itself. Therefore you must buy only locally grown products that are Certified Organic by the USDA and offer full transparency on their ingredients. 

Anything less than this is likely to be of more harm than good to your health. 

How Does CBD Oil Affect the Digestive System? 

 Using CBD oil regularly is a great way to ensure the well-being of your digestive system.  

CBD helps counter inflammatione stomach by preventing the secretion of proteins, interleukins, and cytokines. These substances signal to the immune system to give off an inflammatory response. By helping regulate their production CBD helps fight gut inflammation. 

Adding a few drops of CBD oil to your morning coffee is a great way to make CBD a part of your lifestyle. Not only are the stronger effects of CBD muted this way, but you also get to enjoy all the relaxing benefits of the oil without fearing it being too excessive. 

CBD-based cooking oils are also a great way to ensure the long-term well-being of your digestive system. Gut health is crucial to living a long and happy life, and you should not depend solely on supplements like CBD oil to do the job for you. 

Even in your busy daily life, find ways to prioritize by eating healthy, fiber-rich food, exercising, and cutting down on processed food. Doing so in conjunction with using CBD oil will make your gut a very sound one. 

What to do in the Case of CBD Oil-Caused Constipation? 

CBD oil helps improve, not cause problems in bowel movements. If anything, diarrhea would be a more common side effect of CBD oil than constipation. 

However, this does not mean the chances of constipation while using CBD oil are nonexistent. Flavorings, flavonoids, and sweeteners added to the product during manufacturing often negate the gut-health benefits of CBD. 

Your body may also react badly to the specific carrier oil used in the product. Coconut, olive, avocado, and jojoba are some of the more commonly used oils. If you react to these, it is best to look for CBD products that use alternative carrier oils. 

These additives, not the CBD itself, may cause constipation. If you have not had bowel movements more than three times a week after taking these products, chances are you have constipation.  

In addition to irregular/no bowel movements, the symptoms of CBD-caused constipation include.  

• Bloating 
• Hard, dark-colored stool 
• Cramped bowels 

If these symptoms persist and you also start experiencing spotty or bloody stool, you should see a doctor immediately. 

Aside from the carrier oils and the additives, your body's condition may also contribute to the complication. For example, signs of constipation may naturally develop if you have not been eating fiber-rich for a time before taking CBD oil.   

Aside from this, other factors like dehydration, stress, and other medication may also exacerbate the condition. 

Conclusion 

On its own, CBD helps improve gut health. However, more often than not, constipation in CBD use results from a combination of the body’s existing symptoms and the effects of the oil.   

If symptoms do not go away even after a day, it is best to consult a doctor.  

Sources:   

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1885510/ 

https://www.leafreport.com/education/cbd-buyer-beware-leafreport-decided-to-uncover-which-cbd-brands-are-testing-and-which-are-not-10643 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/organic-basics  

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/clen.201500117  

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/epi.16974 

See also: Articles, CBD, Oils

Enny Soyinka

PharmacologistExpertise : Research on cannabinoids, Brand Reviewer

Enny Soyinka stands at the forefront of hemp research, blending a deep-rooted passion for holistic health with a robust scientific background. As an accomplished pharmacologist, Enny's extensive research into hemp has made them a pivotal figure in demystifying its health benefits. Their expertise shines a light on the nuanced relationship between cannabinoids and wellness, offering well-informed insights in the dynamic world of cannabinoids.