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Exploring the Link Between Cannabis Use and Gut Health

by Valerie Polley | Dec 14, 2023 | 2 comments

Cannabis is gaining increased attention for its potential health benefits. However, there is still a lot we don’t know about cannabis, so it can be hard to make specific recommendations for its use.

One area of growing interest is the effect of cannabis on gut health. More specifically, studies are starting to investigate the effect cannabis has on gut motility, or how food moves through the digestive tract.

In this blog post, we’ll review the science behind the use of cannabis for gut health, as well as how cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system.

Understanding Gut Motility

To understand the relationship between cannabis and gut health, it’s important to understand what gut motility is.

Gut motility refers to the coordinated contraction and relaxation of muscles in the digestive tract. This is what propels food through the digestive system and is crucial for proper digestion and nutrient absorption.

Gut motility is a finely tuned process influenced by many factors, such as neuronal control, hormonal regulation, and dietary factors.

Disruptions in any of these areas can lead to digestive issues, which emphasizes the importance of keeping these factors in balance for optimal gut health. 

The Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is often referred to as the “bridge between the body and the mind.” It plays an important role in maintaining balance within the human body. The system has three key components:

  • Receptors: There are two main receptors in the endocannabinoid system – CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are mostly found in the central nervous system (particularly in the brain), while CB2 receptors are typically found in the peripheral nervous system, immune cells, and organs.
  • Endocannabinoids: Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids produced naturally within the body. They bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors to initiate various physiological responses.
  • Enzymes: Enzymes break down endocannabinoids once they’ve fulfilled their purpose.

Functions of the Endocannabinoid System

Some of the primary functions of the endocannabinoid system include:

  • Homeostasis: The endocannabinoid system helps maintain internal balance, ensuring that our body functions within optimal ranges despite external changes.
  • Mood Regulation: CB1 receptors in the brain play a significant role in regulating mood, stress responses, and emotional well-being.
  • Immune Function: CB2 receptors are prevalent in immune cells and are involved in regulating immune responses and inflammation.
  • Neuroprotection: The endocannabinoid system is involved in protecting the nervous system, with potential implications for neurodegenerative diseases.

The Endocannabinoid System and Cannabis

While the endocannabinoid system was discovered through the study of cannabis, its existence predates our understanding of the effects cannabis has on the body.

Cannabis compounds, known as cannabinoids, interact with the endocannabinoid system, mimicking the action of the endocannabinoids. The most well-known cannabinoids include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).

Connection Between the Endocannabinoid System and Gut Function

There are several connections between the endocannabinoid system and gut function. They include:

  • Regulation of Gut Motility: The endocannabinoid system plays a pivotal role in regulating gut motility. CB1 receptors are abundant in the enteric nervous system (the gut’s nervous system), which influences the movement of food through the digestive system. This ensures digestion proceeds smoothly.
  • Inflammation and Immune Function: CB2 receptors, found primarily in immune cells, are crucial for modulating inflammatory responses in the gut. Activating CB2 receptors helps regulate immune function, preventing the excessive inflammation that can contribute to certain bowel conditions.
  • Intestinal Barrier Integrity: The endocannabinoid system is involved in maintaining the integrity of the gut wall, an important defense mechanism that prevents harmful substances from entering the gut. A well-functioning endocannabinoid system contributes to a healthy gut barrier.

Cannabis and Gut Health: The Science

Since the cannabinoids found in cannabis interact with the endocannabinoid system, it’s thought that cannabis influences gut function.

Cannabis and Gut Motility

Animal studies suggest that substances that bind to CB1 receptors (like the cannabinoids found in cannabis) reduce the motility of the gastrointestinal tract. In other words? They slow down digestion. This could cause constipation to become worse. However, it may be beneficial for people with diarrhea, where gut transit is too fast.

Overall, there is a lack of human studies that look at the effects of cannabis on gut motility. While some animal studies suggest that cannabinoids reduce gut motility and therefore help with diarrhea, more studies in humans are needed before we can recommend cannabinoids such as THC and CBD as treatments for diarrhea.

Cannabis and Gastroparesis

There is also some evidence that cannabinoids can help with gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying). Studies have shown that inhaled cannabis and oral extracts led to significant improvements in gastroparesis. Another study looking at the effects of CBD on gastroparesis found that CBD provided symptom relief in people with gastroparesis, improving their tolerance of liquid nutrition.

Cannabis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

There is emerging evidence that cannabis can be beneficial for people with Crohn’s Disease. One study showed that medical cannabis use was associated with an improvement in disease activity and a reduction in use of other medications.

Another study found that people in the group receiving cannabis achieved complete remission more frequently than the placebo group. However, a different study looking at the effects of low-dose CBD found that it did not have any effect on Crohn’s Disease activity. This highlights the need for more studies to determine which cannabinoids are effective, and at what dose.

Considerations and Caveats

While the science behind cannabis and gut health is promising, it’s important to understand that there are individual variations in how a person responds to cannabis.

Plus, factors like dosage, frequency of use, and a person’s unique physiology can impact how cannabis affects them. Moreover, cannabis use is not without risk, including potential side effects and legal considerations.

Anyone considering cannabis for gut health should do so under the guidance of a licensed healthcare professional.

Final Thoughts

The relationship between cannabis use and gut health is a complex and evolving field of study. While initial research is promising, it’s important to approach cannabis use for digestive health cautiously, as more research is needed to determine which cannabinoids and which doses are effective.

As we await further scientific exploration on the relationship between cannabis use and gut health, people interested in exploring cannabis use as part of their gut health strategy should consult with a healthcare provider first. 

If you’re interested in improving your gut health, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider like a dietitian who has experience with helping people manage their gut symptoms. Click here to get in touch with Blue Tree Nutrition and get support with your gut health.

Spend any amount of time on social media these days, and you'd think protein is the answer to all your health concerns. Protein coffee, protein cereal, protein deserts…even foods that never needed protein are getting a boost.

Protein absolutely plays an important role in overall health. But when it comes specifically to gut health, fiber is the real MVP.

Why Gut Health Depends on What Your Microbes Eat

Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiome. These microbes, which include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and more, influence everything from digestion and metabolism to inflammation and immune function. 

But microbes need fuel to survive.

Unlike human cells, your gut microbes thrive on dietary fiber—not protein—as their main source of energy. When you eat fiber, your gut microbes ferment it and produce compounds that actively support health.

However, when fiber intake is low, your gut microbes are forced to rely on other sources of fuel, including protein. And that shift can change which metabolic byproducts are produced in your gut. And spoiler alert—that's not always for the better.

What Happens When You Eat Fiber

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that resists digestion in the small intestine. Instead of being absorbed, it travels to the colon intact. 

This is where the magic happens. Your gut microbes ferment fiber, producing a variety of different compounds. Some of the most important byproducts of fiber breakdown by your microbiome are short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

SCFAs are incredibly beneficial for overall health. Here are just some of their benefits:

  • Nourish colon cells
  • Strengthen the gut barrier
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Support regular bowel movements
  • Maintain a healthy gut pH
  • Protect against several diseases

In other words, fiber doesn't just help you poop—it actively supports the structure and function of your gut.

The Different Types of Fiber (And Why They All Matter)

You might be surprised to learn that not all fiber works the same way. Soluble fiber, which dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance, slows digestion, helps regulate blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, and, in some cases, acts as fuel for your good gut microbes. The fiber that can act as fuel for your gut microbes is called prebiotic fiber, and you can think of it as fertilizer for your gut microbiome. 

In contrast, insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water, but adds bulk to stool, helping promote gut regularity and speeding up the transit of waste through your digestive tract.

Both types of fiber are needed for a healthy gut, but soluble fiber is typically "gentler" on digestion and can be especially helpful for people with IBS.

What Happens When Protein Reaches the Colon

Protein is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and hormone regulation, and most of it is digested and absorbed in the small intestine. However, when large amounts of protein (especially protein from animal products) reach the colon, your gut microbes break it down through fermentation. Unlike fiber fermentation, protein fermentation produces compounds that can negatively affect gut health.

Byproducts of protein fermentation can include ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, phenols, and indoles. In large amounts, these compounds have been linked to gut barrier irritation, increased inflammation, unfavorable changes in gut microbiome composition, and a potential increase in colorectal disease risk.

This doesn't mean protein is harmful, but it highlights that a high-animal-protein, low-fiber diet shifts microbial activity toward less beneficial metabolic pathways. In other words? The extremely popular carnivore diet is not a good choice for gut health. Overall, it's best to focus on plant-based sources of protein, which studies show can improve gut microbiome composition. 

Why Fiber Matters More Than Protein for Gut Health

From a gut health perspective, fiber has several advantages over protein:

  • Feeds beneficial microbes
  • Produces anti-inflammatory compounds
  • Supports stool consistency and transit
  • Improves microbial diversity

Most people meet or exceed the recommended protein intake, but fall dramatically short on fiber intake (some studies suggest that as many of 95% of people in the United States don't reach the recommended fiber intake).

The National Academy of Medicine recommends that women aim for around 25 grams of fiber per day, while men should target about 38 grams per day.

Simple Ways to Increase Fiber Intake

Increasing your fiber intake doesn't require a complete diet overhaul. Small, consistent changes tend to work best, especially if you have a sensitive digestive system.

Instead of removing foods from your diet, focus on adding fiber where you can or switching to higher fiber options:

  • Toss canned beans or chickpeas into salads
  • Add chia or ground flax seeds to your yogurt
  • Include at least one plant food at every meal
  • Switch to whole wheat or fiber-enriched pasta
  • Choose rolled oats instead of sugary breakfast cereals
  • Cook and cool starchy foods like potatoes, rice, and pasta before eating to naturally increase resistant starch (a type of prebiotic) content

To avoid digestive problems, increase your fiber intake slowly by 2-3 grams per day, and ensure you're drinking plenty of fluids to keep things moving smoothly. To increase the diversity of fiber you're providing to your microbes, aim to eat 30 different plant foods (which include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices) per week.

The Bottom Line

Protein is essential for overall health, but when it comes to gut health, fiber plays the starring role. It feeds your beneficial gut microbes, strengthens the gut linking, and produces anti-inflammatory compounds that help keep your digestive system running smoothly. Meanwhile, diets high in protein but low in fiber may encourage metabolic byproducts linked with less favorable gut outcomes.

If your priority is improving gut health, the evidence consistently points in one direction. Eat more fiber, and your gut microbes will thank you. If you're struggling with increasing your fiber intake, a dietitian can help. Click here to get in touch with us at Blue Tree Nutrition and learn about how we can support your journey to better gut health.

2 Comments

  1. Sheri Aldrich
    Sheri Aldrich on January 28, 2026 at 5:52 am

    IMO/SIBO. Please help

    Reply

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Hello, I am

Valerie

My name is Valerie Polley. I am a Indianapolis-based registered dietitian and owner of Blue Tree Nutrition. I consult with clients both local and far away.
I have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Purdue University and I have been practicing for 20 years.
I thoroughly enjoy helping clients through their gut health journey. I see a range of GI issues including, but not limited to celiac disease, IBS and SIBO. I also specialize in the FODMAP elimination diet.

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