CBD Oil for Ulcers: Does It Help or Hurt?
Last updated on Oct 7, 2024
Created on Mar 26, 2023
Article written by
Elena Schmidt
Ulcers are painful sores that can appear in various body parts, causing symptoms like burning stomach pain, swelling, and stinging sensations.
CBD (cannabidiol) can serve as an ulcer treatment supplement, improving results by reducing pain and inflammation and accelerating healing. Patients should be mindful of CBD’s risks, including drug interactions and side effects such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue.
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What Is CBD Oil?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid produced by hemp and cannabis plants. It is widely available legally in most U.S. states and, in most cases, does not require a medical marijuana license to obtain.
Research indicates CBD’s pharmacological properties are complex. But this non-psychoactive compound interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body that regulates various physiological processes, including pain, mood, and appetite. CBD delivers its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects mainly through its ECS action.
Manufacturers produce CBD oil by extracting the compound from high-CBD hemp strains (cultivars) with low THC levels. After extraction, processors filter out the impurities and add a carrier oil, like coconut, to the formulation to create an ingestible solution.
People typically consume CBD oil orally. However, some apply topical CBD oil formulas depending on their needs.
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Is CBD Oil Safe for Ulcers?
There is little research on CBD oil’s effects on ulcers, so it’s unclear if it is safe for all types of ulcers. What we do know is that CBD can have side effects, including dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue. CBD can also interact with medications, including some stomach ulcer medications like proton pump inhibitors, causing them to be less effective.
Additionally, a recent study suggests that excessive cannabis use can lead to an 18% increase in the chances of hospitalization for peptic ulcer disease (PUD). This research does not implicate pure CBD oil formulas or occasional cannabis use as a cause for ulcers. However, patients should be aware of these findings and research that connects chronic and synthetic cannabis with increased peptic ulcer risk.
Most clinical and pre-clinical studies show that humans (and animals) tolerate CBD well. Still, the Mayo Clinic recommends that patients consult with a doctor if planning to use products containing CBD.
Further, the FDA does not regulate the safety and purity of over-the-counter CBD oils and supplements. According to the organization, limited data exists regarding CBD safety in the general population. Additionally, the FDA warns that lack of federal oversight means product potency, purity, and quality vary significantly.
With that said, a prescription drug called Epidiolex contains CBD and is approved by the FDA. A literature review published by the FDA found Epidiolex to be generally safe for people with seizure disorders. Again, however, research has yet to be conducted on Epidiolex’s specific effects on ulcers.
How to Use CBD Oil for Ulcers
Patients use CBD oil treatment differently depending on the ulcer type and symptoms:
- Oral ulcers: Patients often use topical solutions for oral ulcers. Typically, people apply CBD oil to affected areas to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
- Stomach ulcers: Some people take CBD orally in capsules, tinctures, or edibles for stomach ulcer symptoms.
- Skin ulcers: Topical CBD solutions, including oils, creams, and salves, encourage healing and reduce pain and discomfort in skin ulcers.
Oral Ulcers
Oral ulcers, also known as mouth ulcers, are common oral inflammatory lesions and can be accompanied by severe pain. Recent research indicates that CBD oil can be a valuable tool in treating oral ulcer symptoms by accelerating healing and relieving discomfort.
In an article published in the Journal of Dental Research, CBD oral sprays inhibited inflammation, reduced pain, and accelerated oral ulcer lesion closure.
Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are a type of peptic ulcer caused by a combination of factors, including Helicobacter pylori bacteria (H. pylori) and increased stomach acid levels.
H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach wall or small intestine, leading to inflammation and sores in the digestive tract.
Several factors can increase the occurrence of stomach ulcers, including psychological stress and common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin. In a recent study, researchers found that CBD reduced acidity caused by NSAIDs, thereby reducing its ulcer-causing effect.
Some patients use cannabis products for stomach ulcer treatment because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While limited research directly links CBD to stomach ulcer treatment, full-spectrum cannabis oils and high-THC strains, particularly, have been shown to inhibit gastric acid, which can benefit stomach ulcer treatment.
Besides ulcers, research shows CBD and medical cannabis can aid other stomach ailments, such as inflammatory bowel disease and acid reflux disease.
Skin Ulcers
Patients with skin ulcers suffer from various painful sores throughout the body. Studies have shown that topical CBD oil solutions can help ease skin ulcer symptoms and accelerate wound healing when combined with additional therapies.
In a recent study, surgical patients with digital ulcers (ulcers on the fingers) were treated with CBD while a control group applied standard local therapy. Patients treated with CBD displayed lower pain scores, higher health assessment scores, and increased total hours of sleep.
Full-spectrum topical cannabis products containing THC have also shown positive results in treating certain dermatological conditions. A literature review found evidence that THC exhibited anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, positively impacting skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis.
CBD has shown favorable results in treating skin ulcers. However, research indicates that full-spectrum cannabis products containing THC could also have significant therapeutic value.
The Bottom Line
Ulcers can be painful, uncomfortable, and sometimes resistant to traditional treatments. CBD oil has shown promising results in recent studies suggesting that it can be a valuable tool in soothing pain and improving healing. While CBD has side effects, it is generally safe for adults. Those who choose CBD as part of their ulcer treatment should consult a doctor to ensure that CBD does not interact with their medicines and to monitor its effects.
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