By Luke Sumpter


Many irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients manage to tame their symptoms with diet and lifestyle changes, whereas others require medication to take the edge off. Now, researchers are beginning to test cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, and CBG in models of IBS, inflammation, and pain. Discover what the research says about weed and IBS.

What Is IBS?

IBS affects approximately 12% of the world population[1]. The prevalence of the condition means it impacts the quality of life of millions of people, and inflicts a considerable economic burden on healthcare systems across the planet. The name of this functional gastrointestinal disorder is quite vague, so what exactly does it entail?

The diagnostic guidelines for IBS (known as the Rome IV criteria[2]) require symptoms of recurrent abdominal pain experienced at least one day per week over the previous three months. However, pain alone isn’t enough to land a clinical diagnosis. It must accompany at least two of the following: pain associated with defecation, changes in the frequency of stool, or changes in the appearance of stool. The onset of IBS symptoms typically occurs during adolescence, and women are diagnosed with the condition more frequently than men.

But symptoms of IBS also exceed those included in the diagnostic criteria. Overall, IBS patients experience bouts of the following symptoms:

Stomach pain Bloating
Diarrhoea Constipation
Flatulence Nausea
Backache Fatigue
The passing of mucus Losing control of the bowel (incontinence)

Some IBS patients only experience mild discomfort that minimally affects their daily activities. However, others experience more severe symptoms that dramatically impact their quality of life.

What Is IBS?

What Causes IBS?

The exact cause of IBS remains unknown. However, researchers have identified several possible contributing factors, including disturbances in the microbiome and dysfunction of the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

  • Stress

Researchers are uncovering evidence that psychological stress plays an important role in the development of IBS. A paper[3] published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology states that “..IBS is a combination of irritable bowel and irritable brain”. But what does worrying have to do with the function of the gut? Well, little in the body happens in isolation; psychological stress causes biochemical cascades that impact neuro-endocrine-immune pathways. Both acute and chronic stress are associated with changes in gut function, including:

  • Motility (the contractions of the muscles in the GI tract)
  • Sensitivity
  • Secretion
  • Permeability (how substances pass through the intestinal wall)

The sheer impact of stress on IBS has led researchers to refer to it as a stress-sensitive disorder.

  • Inflammation, Infection, and Gut Dysbiosis: A Troublesome Trio

Infective gastroenteritis caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. As well as causing acute symptoms of infection, these invasive organisms can go on to inflict long-lasting damage. Around 10% of patients that experience this illness eventually develop post-infectious IBS[4]; those that experience the bacterial version of the disease are most susceptible.

Researchers have set out to explore what takes place following cases of infective gastroenteritis. So far, they’ve discovered increased expression of a type of mRNA[5] (a messenger molecule that codes for select proteins within cells) that codes for interleukin-1β—a signalling molecule that drives inflammation.

Biopsies taken from infectious IBS patients have also shown increases in immune cells involved in the adaptive immune response of the gut. These changes likely contribute to the systemic inflammation that gives rise to IBS symptoms.

Studies involving post-infectious IBS patients have also found disturbances in the gut microbiome—the 10–100-trillion-strong community of microbes[6] that occupies the digestive system. Under optimal conditions, these symbiotic critters help us break down food, uptake nutrients, and fight off problematic pathogens. But what do optimal conditions look like? Research suggests that diverse microbiomes (those filled with many different species of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes) are associated with good health. In contrast, disturbed microbiomes that lack diversity[7] (a state known as dysbiosis) are linked with frailty, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Cases of infective gastroenteritis are known to impact microbial diversity, and increased populations of specific gut bacteria (namely Bacteroides and Prevotella) are often found running amok in the microbiome of IBS patients. As research in this field continues to gather more evidence, it’s becoming more apparent that the microbiome plays a central role[8] in the development of the condition.

Inflammation, Infection, and Gut Dysbiosis: A Troublesome Trio
  • Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD): An Emerging Theory

Stress, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis are certainly likely culprits, but dysfunction of the ECS also presents a very large spanner in the works when it comes to IBS. Described as the universal regulator of the human body, this extensive network of receptors, signalling molecules, and enzymes oversees activity from the nervous system and immune system to the skeleton and gut. Put simply, the ECS helps to keep these systems in a state of balance—it stops them from going into overdrive or lulling too severely.

The ECS carries out this balancing act in the gut, where it’s tasked with modulating propulsion, secretion, and inflammation. These functions make it a promising target in the treatment of IBS, but they may also implicate the ECS in the cause of the condition.

The idea of optimal endocannabinoid tone suggests that each individual has a “Goldilocks zone” of endocannabinoid production. Endocannabinoids play the role of messengers within the ECS, and they interact with specific receptors to create the necessary changes within target cells.

However, reductions or amplifications in endocannabinoid tone could, theoretically, cause disruptions in the systems governed by the ECS. Both genetic and environmental catalysts (such as diet, exercise, and disease) are thought to influence the levels of these signalling molecules.

Some data supports this theory in the context of IBS. For example, some IBS patients present genetic differences[9] that impact endocannabinoid metabolism along with levels of "expanded endocannabinoid system" components OEA (oleoylethanolamine) and PEA (N-palmitoylethanolamide).

Adding to this, the microbiome and ECS operate in concert in what’s known as the gut microbiota-endocannabinoid system axis[10]. The ECS plays a role in gut barrier function, inflammation regulation, and metabolism. But it’s a two-way street; the gut microbiota also appears to cast influence over the ECS, not least by controlling FAAH expression (a key ECS enzyme) and anandamide levels.

Current IBS Treatments

While researchers continue to work hard to identify the underlying causes of IBS, patients have access to a range of treatments to help tackle the symptoms and improve their quality of life.

  • Medication

IBS patients are advised to take certain medicines[11] based on the severity of symptoms. Many of these are available over the counter, and include:

  • Antispasmodics: alverine citrate, mebeverine hydrochloride, peppermint oil
  • Laxatives
  • Antidepressants: used as a second-line treatment for abdominal pain
  • Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Many IBS patients see improvements in their symptoms without taking any medication at all. Sometimes, adjustments to diet and lifestyle are enough to reduce symptom severity. General tips given to patients include:

  • Increase exercise
  • Find ways to destress, such as meditation
  • Keep a log of what foods trigger symptoms
  • Try not to skip meals
  • Avoiding eating too quickly
  • Avoid excess spicy and fatty foods
  • Limit consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine
  • Adhere to a low-FODMAP diet (FODMAP stands for fermentable oligo-di, monosaccharides, and polyols)
  • Prebiotics and Probiotics

Prebiotics are plant fibres that feed members of the microbiome in the gut, whereas probiotics are live cultures of yeast and bacteria. Researchers are still trying to find out if these supplements can help to battle the symptoms of IBS, and the results remain murky.

While some strains of probiotics seem to help certain symptoms, others are known to produce no effects or even worsen symptoms. As researcher Kevin Whelan stated in a paper on this topic[12]: “..benefits are likely to be strain and symptom-specific”. Interestingly, it turns out some probiotics may hold sway over the ECS. In a 2007 study, the administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus ramped up cannabinoid receptor expression[13] in intestinal epithelial cells.

How Your Digestive System Works

Marijuana and IBS: The Research So Far

Where does cannabis fit into this complex picture? We know that the ECS likely plays a role in IBS, and that cannabinoids from cannabis are able to interface with ECS receptors. But do they nudge the ECS in a favourable direction? And are cannabinoids from cannabis a suitable replacement for endocannabinoids in cases of reduced endocannabinoid tone?

We simply don’t have the answers to these questions. Research into the use of cannabis for IBS remains early and inconclusive. However, a fair few studies aim to show how cannabis works in specific models. Let’s take a look at the research so far.

  • THC and IBS

As the principal psychotropic component in cannabis, THC underpins the cannabis high. But this molecule acts further afield than just the brain, latching onto the two major ECS receptors (CB1 and CB2) throughout the body.

However, a lot of the research focusing on IBS utilises dronabinol, a synthetic version of THC that works similarly in the body.

Research published in the journal Neurogastroenterology tested dronabinol[14] on 36 human volunteers experiencing IBS-associated diarrhoea. The researchers observed varying outcomes based on ECS-related genes in different individuals, but further studies are needed to uncover the efficacy of THC-like cannabinoids.

A randomised, placebo-controlled trial from 2007 tested dronabinol[15] in 52 healthy human volunteers. The researchers administered either 7.5mg of the drug or a placebo, and looked for changes in colonic tone and motility.

Another study tested dronabinol on visceral hypersensitivity in IBS patients. However, the molecule failed to produce any meaningful results[16], leading the researchers to “...argue against (centrally acting) CB agonists as tool[s] to decrease visceral hypersensitivity in IBS patients”.

Related story

What is THC?

  • Can CBD Help With IBS?

But what does the research say about CBD and IBS? Although its lack of intoxicating effects probably makes it a more suitable option for daily use, does it do anything to actually help symptoms? Unfortunately, the research also remains sparse in this area. However, scientists are currently testing CBD, and its analogues, against models of inflammation[17].

Furthermore, researchers are exploring functional ways of administering the cannabinoid to humans during IBS research. A placebo-controlled crossover study[18] published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research explored the effects of CBD chewing gum (infused with 50mg of the cannabinoid) on abdominal pain and perceived well-being in IBS patients.

  • CBG: A Potential Target?

CBG (or more accurately, CBGA) plays the role of the "mother cannabinoid" in weed flowers. This crucial molecule serves as the chemical precursor to major cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, and CBC. Researchers are also testing this chemical in models of disease. Unfortunately, no studies have tested CBG against IBS, but researchers have explored it in regard to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Although IBS and IBD are distinct conditions, they do share some overlap. Both produce symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, and bloating, and inflammation plays a role in both conditions. A study published in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology administered CBG in a mouse model of colitis[19] (a form of IBD) and looked for changes in inflammatory markers. Interestingly, they also found the cannabinoid to potentially activate CB2 receptors of the ECS.

  • What About CBC?

Have you heard of CBC? Also known as cannabichromene, this non-psychotropic cannabis constituent targets CB2 receptors and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Since these sites are involved in inflammation, researchers set out to test CBC on inflammation-induced hypermotility (excessively fast movement in the GI tract) in mice. More research, particularly human trials, is needed to see if CBC has anything to offer IBS patients.

Weed and IBS: The Research Remains Early

Despite the investigations mentioned above, we’re a long way off from truly understanding how these cannabinoids impact symptoms of IBS, and how they operate in the body as a whole. Furthermore, public health authorities, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US, haven’t approved the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of the condition.

So far, we know that the ECS plays a fundamental role in human physiology, and that cannabinoids serve as a means to tap into this system. Beyond that, more well-designed clinical trials are needed to see how these molecules perform against IBS, and if they’re a suitable option for patients in the future.

Medical DisclaimerInformation listed, referenced or linked to on this website is for general educational purposes only and does not provide professional medical or legal advice.

Royal Queen Seeds does not condone, advocate or promote licit or illicit drug use. Royal Queen Seeds Cannot be held responsible for material from references on our pages or on pages to which we provide links, which condone, advocate or promote licit or illicit drug use or illegal activities. Please consult your Doctor/Health care Practitioner before using any products/methods listed, referenced or linked to on this website.

External Resources:
  1. JCM | Rome Criteria and a Diagnostic Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome https://www.mdpi.com
  2. JCM | Rome Criteria and a Diagnostic Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome https://www.mdpi.com
  3. Impact of psychological stress on irritable bowel syndrome https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. The role of inflammation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. The role of inflammation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Defining the Human Microbiome https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. The gut microbiome of healthy long-living people https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. Frontiers | The Microbiome and Irritable Bowel Syndrome – A Review on the Pathophysiology, Current Research and Future Therapy | Microbiology https://www.frontiersin.org
  9. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Manipulating the Endocannabinoid System as First-Line Treatment https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  10. Endocannabinoids — at the crossroads between the gut microbiota and host metabolism | Nature Reviews Endocrinology https://www.nature.com
  11. BNF is only available in the UK | NICE https://bnf.nice.org.uk
  12. Probiotics and prebiotics in the management of irritable bowel syndrome: a review of recent clinical trials and systematic reviews - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  13. Lactobacillus acidophilus modulates intestinal pain and induces opioid and cannabinoid receptors - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  14. Randomized pharmacodynamic and pharmacogenetic trial of dronabinol effects on colon transit in irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  15. Effects of a cannabinoid receptor agonist on colonic motor and sensory functions in humans: a randomized, placebo-controlled study - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  16. The cannabinoid receptor agonist delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol does not affect visceral sensitivity to rectal distension in healthy volunteers and IBS patients https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  17. Cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogs: a review of their effects on inflammation https://www.sciencedirect.com
  18. Effects of Cannabidiol Chewing Gum on Perceived Pain and Well-Being of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients https://www.liebertpub.com
  19. Beneficial effect of the non-psychotropic plant cannabinoid cannabigerol on experimental inflammatory bowel disease - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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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: