By Luke Sumpter


Haemorrhoids are a real pain. These bulging veins can cause serious irritation in the form of pain and itching. But how do these pesky bumps form in the first place, and what can people do to relieve themselves? Below, you’ll find out how they come about, and if cannabis can do anything to improve bothersome symptoms at the back passage.

What Are Haemorrhoids and What Causes Them?

Haemorrhoids, pronounced hem-uh-roids, are also known as piles. These lumpy, painful sites that develop in and around the anus are almost as uncomfortable to talk about as they are physically unpleasant. But what exactly are they? And what causes them?

Haemorrhoids aren’t some kind of obscure growth. They’re actually swollen veins—protruding parts of the vasculature that carry blood back toward the heart. These bulges aren’t dissimilar to varicose veins in that they are swollen and twisted vascular tissue. However, varicose veins tend to develop in the legs and feet.

These protrusions aren’t just regular veins that start to swell. They arise from the haemorrhoidal venous cushions; a specialised part of human anatomy that sit against connective tissue in the anal canal and help us to defecate. As you can imagine, these structures are a common cause of rear-end issues because of their rich vascular supply and sensitive position—they see a lot of traffic, so to speak.

Enlargement and displacement of these biological cushions affects millions of people around the world every year. For example, haemorrhoids affect around 10% of the general population[1] in the United Kingdom every year, and around 4.4% of the population[2] in the United States.

What Are Haemorrhoids and What Causes Them?

Types of Haemorrhoids

Not all haemorrhoids are the same. Some occur inside the body; others outside. They also differ based on whether they cause blot clots to arise. Here are the four main classifications of haemorrhoids:

Internal

As their name suggests, these haemorrhoids occur inside of the anus, and for that reason are not visible. Less bothersome internal haemorrhoids are small bumps. However, these sometimes develop into large protrusions that cause more discomfort.

Prolapsed
When internal haemorrhoids become extremely swollen and elongated, they begin to protrude outside of the anus. In less serious cases, this only happens upon straining. However, particularly elongated swollen veins protrude even during rest.
External
This type of haemorrhoid forms underneath the skin outside of the anus. Here, the blood vessels have become so swollen that they protrude from under the skin, sometimes develop into a hard lump, and cause a lot of pain.
Thrombosed
Both internal and external haemorrhoids can collect pooled blood to the degree that blood clots form. Although not dangerous, these clots obstruct blood flow and make the condition even more painful.

What Causes Haemorrhoids?

The exact cause of haemorrhoids remains unknown. An older theory posited that they were simply varicose veins, but data shows that patients with high blood pressure and varices aren’t at increased risk of developing haemorrhoids. A more recent theory[3] points toward the sliding of the anal canal lining. In this model, the tissues that support the anal cushions begin to deteriorate, which then causes the displacement of the cushions themselves, which causes the nearby veins to dilate and swell.

Age stands as one of the biggest risk factors of developing haemorrhoids, as the tissues in the area weaken and stretch. They can also form following increased pressure in the region caused by:

Pregnancy Obesity
Low fibre intake Chronic constipation or diarrhoea
Straining during bowel movements Heavy lifting

How Haemorrhoids Are Treated

There are a host of treatments available to patients with haemorrhoids, ranging from topicals and ligation to lifestyle changes. Check out the most common below, before we delve into a discussion of cannabis and haemorrhoids.

The Current Treatment Approach

In a clinical setting, healthcare practitioners treat haemorrhoids in several different ways, including:

Rubber band ligation

This procedure involves placing a rubber band around a haemorrhoid to block blood flow to the site.

Haemorrhoidectomy
This is the surgical removal of a haemorrhoid performed under general anaesthetic.
Infrared coagulation
This non-surgical treatment uses infrared light to cause coagulation (clotting) of the blood at the affected area, which causes the tissue to recede.

Patients can also implement lifestyle changes to prevent haemorrhoids in the future and reduce the severity of their condition. These measures include:

  • Stay hydrated
  • Eat a high-fibre diet
  • Don’t strain on the toilet
  • Stay active and exercise to avoid long periods of sitting
  • Don’t resist the urge to go to the toilet

Haemorrhoid Cream

Doctors also prescribe topical creams to ease the pain, swelling, and itching caused by haemorrhoids. These products contain phenylephrine, a drug primarily used as a decongestant that causes blood vessels to constrict.

Patients should apply this topical according to a doctor's instructions, which often includes up to four applications per day, or after each bowel movement. Some patients also choose to apply topical witch hazel products to reduce pain and itching. This flowering plant has astringent properties and is used to tackle a long list of skin, eye, and scalp conditions.

Cannabis, CBD, and Haemorrhoids

So, how does cannabis fit into this picture, if at all? Can you expect to apply the herb to your hiney in hopes of helping? As always, the answers to such questions are only found in the scientific literature. Unfortunately, data surrounding cannabis and a long list of more serious conditions remains scarce. Researchers haven’t found the time or received permission to pursue how buds affect butts.

While we wait for this data to emerge (hopefully within the next few years), we have to settle for second-best. A large archive of studies have pitched cannabinoids against cell and animal models of itch, pain, and inflammation. The results from this research can provide clues as to how cannabis might work to influence symptoms of haemorrhoids in humans.

First and foremost, we know that cannabis constituents impact the endocannabinoid system (ECS). But why does this matter? Well, the ECS serves as the universal regulator of the human body. This network of receptors, signalling molecules, and enzymes helps to regulate everything from nervous system firing and bone remodelling to skin health and stress.

Because the ECS regulates so much of human physiology, malfunctions in this system may also underpin certain health conditions.

Not enough data exists to state that trouble with the ECS underpins haemorrhoids. However, the far-reaching system certainly plays an important role in epithelial cells that line parts of the body, including the anal canal. The regulatory network also helps to maintain the skin[4] by contributing to cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation.

Researchers are also exploring the impact of plant cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) on the ECS. Molecules such as THC manage to bind to ECS receptors, which means they have the direct ability to influence the system that keeps most of our body in check. So far, they’ve made good progress in testing them against models of symptoms seen in haemorrhoid patients, including pain and inflammation.

CBD and THC: What Does the Research Say?

The cannabis plant holds the title of a phytochemical biofactory. The species manufactures over 500 unique chemicals, and its flowers churn out hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes that influence human biology and the ECS. But do any of these chemicals have a positive impact on haemorrhoids? At this point, we simply don’t know. However, ongoing preclinical trials are testing them in models of inflammation, itch, and pain. Let’s take a deeper look into these investigations.

CBD has skyrocketed to fame in recent years, partly because it lacks psychotropic effects. This cannabinoid doesn’t bind to ECS receptors with much affinity, but it does influence endocannabinoid levels[5] in the body by disrupting ECS enzymes. As haemorrhoids become inflamed, they release an irritating mucus that causes a condition known as pruritus ani.

Currently, studies are looking at CBD and its metabolites to determine their anti-inflammatory potential[6]. Other investigations are probing CBD for any effects on pain signalling[7]. While many of these studies are focused around neuropathic pain, any findings could translate over into the acute bouts of discomfort experienced by haemorrhoid patients.

Although sometimes outcast because of its psychoactive effects, researchers are also testing THC[8] in models of pain. Positive findings in this field could lead to the addition of the cannabinoid to topical formulas, where it wouldn’t impact mental state. Researchers are also testing both THC and CBD in models of itch[9] because of their action on CB1, CB2, and TRPV1 receptors.

Preventing Haemorrhoids: Does Cannabis Look Promising?

Can cannabis help to get rid of haemorrhoids? Better yet, can it prevent the condition in the first place? Science simply hasn’t reached a conclusion. Hundreds of topical cannabis products exist that contain myriad cannabinoids, terpenes, and natural products. While anecdotal accounts look promising, the lack of data in this field means we can’t say with confidence if the herb holds any viability. For now, we’ll have to wait for human trials to be carried out before we see the addition of THC, CBD, and their phytochemical cousins in haemorrhoid creams.

External Resources:
  1. CKS is only available in the UK | NICE https://cks.nice.org.uk
  2. Review of Hemorrhoid Disease: Presentation and Management - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Hemorrhoids: From basic pathophysiology to clinical management - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. The endocannabinoid system of the skin in health and disease: novel perspectives and therapeutic opportunities - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogs: a review of their effects on inflammation https://www.sciencedirect.com
  7. The Role of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Chronic Pain Management: An Assessment of Current Evidence | SpringerLink https://link.springer.com
  8. The analgesic effect of oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), morphine, and a THC-morphine combination in healthy subjects under experimental pain conditions https://www.sciencedirect.com
  9. Cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pruritus: A review https://www.sciencedirect.com
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

Cookies settings

We are requesting your permission to use your data for the reasons stated below:

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data from a particular website that get stored on a user’s computer while they’re surfing the internet. Cookies have several different functions. Some of them track browser activity that enables businesses to deliver targeted advertisements. Other cookies serve to remember user login details to different websites to make jumping on social media, or other sites, a more fluid process. Because each cookie has its own unique ID, these pieces of data allow website owners to measure the unique traffic coming into their site.

Why do we use cookies?

Cookies come in handy when you visit our website. They ensure you stay logged in, that you can shop safely, and that the items you add to your cart stay there before you make a purchase. But cookies also help us. The data they provide allow us to improve our website and enable us to present you with targeted advertisements that are compatible with your interests.

What kind of cookies do we use?

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

How can I disable or delete cookies?

Not a fan of cookies? No worries. You can disable them (with the exception of necessary cookies) in your browser settings. However, blocking cookies may impact your browsing experience and prevent you from enjoying all of the technical features of our site.

Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: