Can CBD help with heartburn or acid reflux?

CVS, Walmart and soon many other companies will be pulling Zantac and other drugs containing ranitidine because they may contain low levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a nitrosamine impurity. According to the FDA, NDMA has been classified as a probable human carcinogen based on laboratory test results. 

You may ask yourself, what should I do?   You may rely on this medication for instances of heartburn, or daily like it did.   I used to take generic ranitidine daily for heart burn or GERD.  Here is some of my background:

In 2017 I was taking ranitidine daily, and also suffering from anxiety,  I started a CBD regiment of 25mg in the morning and evening for my anxiety and it began working within a week.    Within 2 weeks, I no longer had my anxiety and I also noticed that I was feeling better all around.  I no longer had the heartburn feeling after eating something like pizza or spicy food like before.  I was still taking Zantac/ranitidine, but I just felt better.   For the next two weeks I stopped taking the ranitidine and I haven’t had a major case of heartburn since! 

In this article I have compiled some research as to why CBD works for GERD or acid reflux.  

  What is GERD

Currently, 1 in 10 Americans experience heartburn almost daily. There are ways you can help treat GERD and its symptoms. Although pharmaceutical drugs are often used to treat GERD (like Zantac) , From my experience CBD and different cannabinoids can help treat this disease safely and effectively. Read on to find out the role cannabis plays in treating GERD/heartburn and its symptoms.

GERD refers to chronic symptoms including mucosal damage that was originally produced by the abnormal reflux within the body’s esophagus. Many people experience acid reflux, which is relatively common and not too serious. However, chronic acid reflux in the form of GERD can develop into a serious health issue. In the simplest of terms, GERD consists of the return of content within the body’s stomach, which then backs up into the esophagus. GERD takes place when the body’s lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weak and/or relaxes improperly. Then, if this occurs, the stomach’s content can float back up into the body’s esophagus.

Within each body, there’s a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which exists at the entrance of the body’s stomach. Once food enters the stomach, the LES should close to prevent food splashing back into the esophagus. If the LES doesn’t shut properly or if it opens regularly, it’s possible for stomach acid to travel into the body’s esophagus and lead to heartburn.

CBD works for GERD:

Why Does it work? 

Our bodies have what’s called an endocannabinoid system (ECS) which has many functions including memory, sensations, pain perception and others. The ECS can have a mitigating effect on gastric acid and the inflammation and other damage which is what GERD (acid reflux, heartburn) sufferers feel.

In general, CBD contains a variety of medicinal properties including its ability to help reduce acid reflux.  It does this by helping to regulate the secretion of gastric acids to the esophagus  and lower sphincter, and greatly reduces the secretion of the acids that cause the “burn” in “heartburn”. Not only does it reduce the acids that cause heartburn, its anti-inflammatory power reduces esophogeal discomfort and decreases the movement of the fluids in the stomach and GI tract. Because of the decreased movement and reduction in inflammation, the main symptoms of GERD are treated.

Studies have shown that CBD addresses multiple symptoms at once with very few side effects. Cannabinoids change how the gut feels, it affects the signals the brain sends back and forth to the gut and regulates the functioning of the GI tract.

I hope this article was informative, and if you experience heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD, try observing the foods you eat because they may be worsening GERD symptoms, especially caffeine and alcohol. Above all else though, CBD or Cannabidiol plays an essential role in helping treat GERD and its symptoms. If you’re interested in giving cannabis a chance, it’s suggested to consume it orally or sublingually to prevent further irritation from occurring.  Use one of our top recommended brands and give it a try!