By Miguel Ordoñez Reviewed by: Carles Doménech


Gut health is something we tend to overlook. It’s probably because many problems that may arise down there aren’t as distressing as a bad migraine, for instance.

Little do we know that the gut’s function goes way beyond just digestion and absorption of nutrients. It also affects immune system function, the metabolism of potentially harmful food compounds, and the synthesis of vitamins and other nutrients.

Experts say that a healthy gut is a way to a healthier you. They’ve also made some fascinating discoveries that connect the endocannabinoid system and CBD to this equation.

That’s right. Over the last few years, studies have investigated cannabidiol’s potential to enhance gastrointestinal health and digestion. But, how exactly might it work?

Why Is Gut Health Important?

As stated, the gut is responsible for several vital functions. Keeping it healthy also means maintaining balance throughout the entire body.

See, the microorganisms inhabiting the gut conform as part of a larger environment called the microbiome. Think of it as a busy metropolis for the trillions of organisms that exist within our bodies. We’re talking about bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi.

Now, when you hear about these four types of microbes (otherwise known as microbiota), you may automatically associate them with diseases.

In a healthy body, there is a harmonious relationship[1] between the distinct symbiotic or saprophytic—beneficial (in proper proportions)—microbes. They can coexist with no issues whatsoever. But, as soon as a disturbance hits—whether in the form of a disease, poor diet, or certain medication—that’s when the body becomes more prone to illness. Some of these illnesses can be caused by a population overgrow of the some of these “good” microbes (often called facultative pathogens).

Other microbes that can be found occasionally in the bowels are the “strict” pathogenic (disease-causing) ones, which are only present in the body when they cause such conditions.

We also mentioned a correlation between gut health and brain function. That’s because the two are connected by loads of neurons. The microbiome also controls the production of neurotransmitters[2].

All of this sheds some light on why the term “gut feeling” exists, and its connection to logic and reasoning.

Why Is Gut Health Important?

How Your Digestive System Works

The microbiota serve several purposes[3] in the microbiome. Apart from activating the immune response, they also digest potentially toxic food compounds. To have a better understanding of how microbiota benefit the body, we’ll take a deeper look at the gastrointestinal system.

Simple sugars, for example, are easily absorbed by the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through the upper regions of the small intestine. That isn’t the case with complex carbohydrates, which go through the large intestine. From there, the microbiota take over to complete the digestion process with the help of their digestive enzymes.

The microbiota in a healthy individual also act as the body’s protector from pathogenic organisms. These are organisms that enter the system through consumption of contaminated food and water.

A good example is the bacteria found within the bowels. These microbiota help prevent the excessive growth of facultative pathogens by competing for the absorption of nutrients.

How Your Digestive System Works

Before we can adequately discuss CBD's potential effect on gastrointestinal health, we need to examine the endocannabinoid system.

The ECS is made up of a network of ligands and cell receptor sites that are scattered throughout the body. The system passes through several vital regions, including both the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as the immune system. And, given its wide reach, it deals with important functions like sleep, mood, memory, immune response, reproduction, appetite, and fertility.

The ECS has two primary receptors: CB1 and CB2. The former are largely situated on nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, whereas the latter are embedded mostly within immune tissues.

Recent research has found a connection between the ECS and the gastrointestinal system. With the help of the vagus nerve, the ECS may be able to maintain neurotransmission between the gut and brain. For example, a 2016 review[4] draws a link between the gut’s endocannabinoid signalling system and bowel motility, gut–brain-mediated fat intake, and hunger signalling.

There’s also a potential bridge between the ECS and the microbiome concerning mood disorders. Take this 2020 study[5] on mice, which found that alterations of the microbiota in the intestines caused depressive symptoms.

But with the help of endocannabinoid signalling (aka activating its receptors), these depressive symptoms were shown to be reduced. This study is quite preliminary, but it sheds new light on a subject that has yet to receive sufficient study.

How Could CBD Affect Gut Health?

Some studies have investigated CBD’s potential effects on gut health. Let’s examine what we know so far.

  • CBD and Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)

In a nutshell, inflammatory bowel disease is a condition wherein chronic inflammation occurs in the digestive tract. The two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Basically, ulcerative colitis (UC) happens when superficial ulcers form in the large intestine and rectum. Crohn’s disease, on the other hand, is characterised by deeper inflammation along the GI tract’s lining.

Ongoing studies are testing CBD against neuropathic and inflammatory pain[6], as well as intestinal inflammation[7].

In the latter study, researchers examined rectal biopsies of ulcerative colitis patients as one way to determine the efficacy of CBD. Interestingly, the researchers believe CBD may exert effects relevant to UC via the PPAR-γ receptor pathway.

CBD and Inflammation
  • CBD and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Those who have irritable bowel syndrome know how uncomfortable its symptoms can be. People with this condition go through episodes of abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhoea or constipation, and bloating. It’s never a fun time.

Doctors can treat IBS patients with antidepressants. However, the results don’t always turn out to be adequate.

A study[8] published in 2020 sought to determine how to exploit the endocannabinoid system to benefit IBS patients. Here, the authors admit there is a lack of conclusive evidence on CBD’s potential interaction. The main points of interest are in CBD’s potential to desensitise the TRPV1 receptor (partially responsible for regulating inflammation and pain) and to raise anandamide levels through inhibition of FAAH.

  • CBD and Leaky Gut

It’s understandable to be thrown off by the name. A leaky gut is theorised to happen when damage occurs in the small intestine. The result: undigested food, bacteria, and waste products end up leaking through the intestines and into the blood.

Symptoms of leaky gut include bloating, fatigue, skin problems, sensitivity to certain foods, and other digestive issues.

One of the causes of leaky gut is Clostridioides difficile overinfection[9] (CDI), in which toxins can affect the bowels’ permeability. It’s a condition seen commonly in older adults who have received antibiotic therapy.

In this regard, a 2017 study[10] looked into whether cannabidiol could ameliorate dysfunction in the intestinal barrier and the induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) in patients affected by C. difficile toxins.

CBD and Leaky Gut
  • CBD and Gut Microbiota

Experts found scientific rationale for probing the therapeutic potential of cannabis for the treatment of some aspects of colon cancer in a 2017 study[11].Though we cannot make any conclusions, it’s highly beneficial that CBD and cannabis are undergoing deeper scientific inquiry.

Some scientists are aiming to explore the effects of CBD on the microbiome. Why? Because this massive community of organisms has a big impact on human health, including immune function, digestion, and intestinal conditions. 

However, it is evident that there is a long way to go regarding CBD and gut health, as the authors of this October 2020 study[12] state. “Importantly, while FO [fish oil] and n-3 PUFAs have been tested in experimental colitis also with regard to their effects on the gut microbiota, no preclinical or clinical study has ever been conducted with CBD in this context”.

The Impact of Psychological Factors on Gut Health

In an earlier section of this article, we briefly touched upon how stress may lead to gut-related issues like IBS. In fact, around 40–60%[13] of IBS sufferers also deal with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.

Stress may also aggravate IBS[14] by inducing changes in intestinal permeability, which can thereby also cause inflammation. It may also reduce intestinal blood flow and motility.

Interestingly, numerous studies are looking to see if CBD can impact stress and anxiety, including this 2019 study[15] on CBD and social anxiety disorder in Japanese teens. 

Sleep-related anxiety is another area in which CBD is receiving more intense study. Let’s take this 2019 study[16] involving 103 participants, 82 of which had documented episodes of anxiety and/or a sleep disorder diagnosis. Each of them was prescribed CBD for an entire month.

The overall findings showed that 79.2% and 66.7% of all patients experienced an improvement in anxiety levels and sleep disorders, respectively. Two months after CBD treatment, the numbers remained fairly consistent at 78.1% and 56.1%, respectively.

Balancing Gut Health With the Help of CBD

As we’ve learned, gut health is essential to overall health.In an effort to keep illness at bay, and to generally promote a healthy gut, it's essential we gain a better understanding of the role of the endocannabinoid system. While few direct conclusions can be made regarding CBD’s effects on gut health specifically, its good safety profile, accessibility, and non-toxic nature have made it a key part of numerous related studies.

As of right now, more research needs to be done before medical experts can begin to really consider CBD as a viable treatment option for issues related to gut health. Remember, CBD is largely used as a supplement to benefit well-being, and it should never be used in replacement of medical treatment. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement regimen.

Given the complexity of gastrointestinal health, it would be best to keep yourself in top shape, both physically and mentally, in order to keep things running smoothly. If you feel CBD helps you to achieve that, go ahead and use it to your advantage!

External Resources:
  1. The Microbiome | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health https://www.hsph.harvard.edu
  2. Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. The Microbiome | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health https://www.hsph.harvard.edu
  4. Endocannabinoids in the Gut https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Effect of gut microbiota on depressive-like behaviors in mice is mediated by the endocannabinoid system | Nature Communications https://www.nature.com
  6. Cannabidiol (CBD) — what we know and what we don’t - Harvard Health Blog - Harvard Health Publishing https://www.health.harvard.edu
  7. Cannabidiol Reduces Intestinal Inflammation through the Control of Neuroimmune Axis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Manipulating the Endocannabinoid System as First-Line Treatment https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  9. C. difficile infection - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org
  10. Cannabidiol restores intestinal barrier dysfunction and inhibits the apoptotic process induced by Clostridium difficile toxin A in Caco-2 cells https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  11. Preventing Negative Shifts in Gut Microbiota with Cannabis Therapy https://www.researchgate.net
  12. Frontiers | Fish Oil, Cannabidiol and the Gut Microbiota: An Investigation in a Murine Model of Colitis | Pharmacology https://www.frontiersin.org
  13. Psychiatric, Somatic and Other Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome at a Tertiary Care Center https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  14. How Stress and Anxiety Can Aggravate IBS Symptoms https://www.healthline.com
  15. Frontiers | Anxiolytic Effects of Repeated Cannabidiol Treatment in Teenagers With Social Anxiety Disorders | Psychology https://www.frontiersin.org
  16. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series https://www.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: