Does CBD Oil Help Relieve Acid Reflux?

CBD oil and acid reflux

Typically when we are sick or suffering, our first port of call is to book an expensive appointment with the nearest doctor. While this is beneficial, Western medicine frequently does little to alleviate suffering and all you’re left with is a bag of pills and a hefty bill.

These days the miraculous benefits of CBD oil have been widely reported, but science is still in the early stages of gathering enough evidence to prove it. If you are new to the plant-based world of CBD, you may be wondering what it is, how it works, and most importantly, can it be used to alleviate acid reflux?

Table of Contents

01. What Is Acid Reflux? | 02. Will CBD Treat Acid Reflux | 03 . CBD Side Effects & Dose | 04. Best CBD Oils For Acid Reflux | 05. Comments

If you’ve ever had acid reflux, you’ve probably tried everything from medication to lifestyle changes. When I first tried CBD for anxiety, I couldn’t believe my luck when my physical symptoms were alleviated too! So if you’re interested in hearing more about CBD oil and reflux, read on!

What is acid reflux? What causes it?

Acid reflux, also known as acid indigestion or heartburn, is a common stomach condition that causes hydrochloric acid to flow back up through the esophagus. In healthy individuals this powerful stomach acid is used to break down food, and protect the body from bacteria. However the esophagus is not equipped to handle the potent acid, and as a result patients suffering from acid reflux are prone to painful heartburn. This is a sharp pain that can be felt in the lower chest area, typically after eating, but has nothing to do with the heart. Lifestyle habits such as smoking, overeating, abusing prescription medication and a lack of exercise are known contributor to this painful condition.

CBD as an acid reflux treatment

When I first heard about CBD oil’s potential to manage anxiety , I had no idea that the plant medicine actually appears to be the future of stomach treatments as well. After taking CBD for a few weeks, I began to notice improvements in my anxiety levels and found the courage to finally socialize the way I used to. What I did not expect was that shortly after my anxiety disappeared, I would notice an improvement in my heartburn as well. At first I didn’t put two and two together but one day it hit me, perhaps the properties of the CBD had caused this amazing alleviation.

After researching further, I discovered that there is already strong evidence to suggest that CBD has a positive effect on the treatment of stomach conditions, including acid reflux. While it is recommended that you consult with your doctor’s and continue to take any medication prescribed, I can personally confirm that CBD oil will have a profound impact on pain relief and possibly even heal your acid reflux entirely. Of course, results vary from person to person and severe cases should not rely on CBD alone as a cure, but in my case the oil has completely cure me of any heartburn.

Can CBD oil make acid reflux worse?

With studies and tests swaying towards the positive impact of CBD oil on acid reflux, it seems a certainty that the plant medicine will worsen your symptoms. However while the cannabinoid oil itself will not cause any harm, impure CBD can cause gastrointestinal distress that may worsen heartburn temporarily. According to Dr Kenneth Brown (a well-known gastroenterologist) pure CBD has been “shown to help heal ulcers and decrease acid reflux.” So essentially, it is important to source high quality CBD oil that is as pure as possible, in order to avoid worsening any acid reflux symptoms.

CBD oil and the stomach: What’s going on?

Scientists have conducted studies on animals with a similar biochemical makeup to humans, and the results have shown that CBD oil can literally help to heal the digestive tract. The research proved that when CBD is ingested, it binds to the CB1 receptor (the part of the nervous system linked to the intestines). This literally inhibits gastric acid secretion, which is directly responsible for ailments such as stomach ulcers and acid reflux. In addition to this, CBD prevents acid reflux whilst simultaneously promoting a healing blood flow to the stomach lining. While scientists have confirmed the benefits of CBD on stomach related ailments, the verdict is still out in terms of why and how.

What are the side effects of CBD?

CBD is a natural plant extract and according to Medical News Today has no known side effects. This is proven in a statement given by the World Health Organisation in 2018: “to date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” While there are no side effects to CBD, a rare one percentage of users suffer from cannabis allergies, and reactions typically range from a running nose or wheezing chest, to an outbreak of hives all over the skin.

In extreme cases the allergy can cause anaphylactic shock, which if left untreated can be fatal. However, there are signs leading up to this that offer the opportunity for immediate treatment and these occurrences are few and far between. Ninety nine percent of CBD users report only benefits such as an improved mood and dramatic pain relief. It is possible to be tested for a cannabis allergy before investing in the oil, so chat to your doctor about this option if you’ve never smoked weed in your life and want to play it safe.

CBD oil for acid reflux dosage

The only way to find the perfect dosage for you and your unique body, is through an experimental process that could take anywhere from a day to a few weeks. Factors such as weight and severity of symptoms, means that there is no one size fits all when it comes to dosing and CBD. The best way to approach this is to start with a light dose of between 8 and 28 mgs, and stick with it for a period of one week. After this, if you still haven’t noticed an improvement, you can up the dosage by 5mgs. Repeat the monitoring process for another week and again only increase by 5mgs after that.

The only thing you need to be aware of when taking CBD oil, is that it can react with certain prescription medication. For this reason it’s best to consult a doctor before you unknowingly create a chemical cocktail of sorts. Honestly when it comes to pure CBD oil, you cannot overdose, so personally I wouldn’t worry too much about taking something with such beneficial healing properties. The only reason to limit your dosage is simply to make a little go a long way.

Best CBD Oils For Acid Reflux

There are many CBD oils and creams on the market, but the quality and value can definitely vary by a lot. Here are my top recommendations for CBD creams that are from proven US CBD companies.

Final verdict: Should you use CBD to treat acid reflux?

In my humble opinion I would one hundred percent recommend using CBD oil to treat acid reflux as the benefits are already scientifically proven. This ancient plant contains a host of healing properties that will heal not only heal your body, but your mind and soul too. The only thing to consider is your source of CBD oil, because it is very important to use pure CBD in the treatment of acid reflux. Do your research and find the most reliable supplier around, because impure CBD can actually worsen symptoms.

Now it’s your turn

When I was first looking into CBD as a treatment option, I relied heavily on qualitative data such as online reviews. If you have a story or a burning question about CBD oil or anything cannabis related, please feel free to share your thoughts below. My mission on this site is to create an educational forum where patients can use firsthand information to form an opinion about the medical use of CBD oil. Your comments are valued and appreciated!