When it comes to acid reflux, most people have already tried everything to get rid of it. But, have you tried CBD for acid reflux?
Does this sound familiar? A burning sensation that starts at your gut and travels all the way to your throat, creating a lump that feels as if you swallowed a piece of hot coal?
If it does, then you probably belong to the acid reflux club. Many of us have been lifetime members and, just like you, have tried everything to get rid of this extremely uncomfortable condition.
One out of ten Americans suffers from acute or chronic acid reflux. For a disease that is prevalent, one would think there’s a cure. And yet, some people never get relief. Sure there are treatments, but most of them are mildly effective, at best.
That’s precisely where CBD for acid reflux comes in.
What Is Acid Reflux Anyway?
The medical term for acid reflux is GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). It’s a condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back from the stomach into the esophagus. No other tissue except our stomachs’ is equipped to deal with the corrosive stomach juices. So, stomach acid will irritate and damage all tissue, including the sensitive esophagus (and even our mouths).
Symptoms of acid reflux are:
- A painful or uncomfortable burning sensation that occurs after eating
- Worsening of the burning sensation at night (or while lying down)
- Difficulty swallowing
- A lump-in-throat sensation
- Chest pain
- Regurgitation or vomiting of food or stomach acid
All of these symptoms are directly related to acid reflux. However, they can also cause other symptoms or conditions which worsen our overall well-being. Always getting stomach acid in our throats and mouths can cause laryngitis. It can worsen our asthma if we have it (or even cause it). Finally, it can also cause a persistent, chronic cough.
What Causes It?
Acid reflux is caused by the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter. Typically, this particular sphincter relaxes and opens to allow the food we eat and the liquid we drink to pass into our stomachs. Similarly, after everything passes, the sphincter closes again.
However, if the sphincter opens without being prompted by food or liquid, the stomach acid has a clear path to flow upward into the esophagus. As mentioned, because the esophagus doesn’t have the protective lining that the stomach does, it gets irritated and damaged.
But why does the muscle relax without being prompted? There are quite a few factors that can contribute to this particular detriment:
- Connective tissue disorders
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Hernias
- Delayed stomach emptying
Some things can provoke an acid reflux attack or turn sporadic acid reflux into a chronic condition:
- Large meals
- Drinking water straight after eating
- Eating late at night, immediately before going to bed
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
- Specific anti-inflammatory meds
How to Treat It
Acid reflux is usually treated with over-the-counter meds. Antacids, meds that reduce the production of acid, and meds that completely stop acid production are all viable options of treatment. However, sometimes these don’t work, and we need prescription meds.
H2-receptor blockers, pump inhibitors, and meds that will strengthen and heal the esophagus are sometimes necessary. Of course, if those fail, there’s also the option of surgery.
CBD for Acid Reflux
We all have endocannabinoid systems in our bodies. That’s a neural network located in our brains that controls the release of cannabinoids that naturally occur in our bodies.
ECS is responsible for many bodily functions and cognitive processes. Among other things, it helps regulate sleep, memory, pain processing, emotions, etc. ECS also helps regulate the secretion of stomach acid. On top of that, it can help with reducing inflammation and managing pain including body pains and headaches. All it has to do is release cannabinoids.
So, in theory, our own bodies could not only stop acid reflux but also diminish the existing effects as well. But what if they don’t?
Related article: Can CBD Help with Crohn’s Disease?
CBD for Acid Reflux — a Viable Solution?
Sometimes our ECS needs a little bit of help to maintain the body’s homeostasis. That help can come in many forms, one of which is CBD. When we take extra CBD in the form of oil, tinctures, cremes, or edibles, we boost our ECS and help it do its job.
CBD products interact with CBRs (cannabinoid receptors) and help them have a more significant effect on gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, they diminish inflammation and boost our immunity. More importantly, they also help control intestinal and gastric acid secretion, which essentially deals with the cause of acid reflux.
Related post: Can CBD Help with PTSD?
A Few Parting Words
Overall, it seems that CBD is one of the ideal solutions for acid reflux. It treats most of the symptoms and relieves the pain and discomfort. More importantly, it can also treat the cause of acid reflux (or at least help with it).
Of course, we don’t have all the answers just yet. When it comes to CBD for acid reflux, research is scarce, which means we don’t have any concrete proof. But CBD users have been singing praises to all CBD products and their effectiveness in the battle against acid reflux, which has to count for something.