Editor's note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published on May 15, 2017.
Recent studies have shown that hot peppers may help soothe the gut when suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD should not be confused with inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a less serious functional disorder that does not cause ulcers or intestinal damage like IBD.
IBD is an autoimmune disease that can have serious consequences. Currently, about 3 million Americans have IBD, and about 70,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.1 This figure is nearly three times higher than previous estimates and may be the result of a combination of increased rates and improved diagnostic criteria.
The increased incidence of this disease may be related to genetics, environmental factors, diet, and changes in the gut microbiome. Studies have shown that the microbiome is so important that doctors may use it as a diagnostic tool.2
While improving the microbiome may play a role in alleviating or eliminating symptoms, capsaicin and endocannabinoids may also play a role in alleviating symptoms by regulating the neuroimmune axis.3 Before understanding how this works, it is helpful to understand the conditions.
What is inflammatory bowel disease?
IBD is a chronic inflammation of part or all of the intestines that can cause ulcers, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss. This condition is often debilitating and can lead to life-threatening conditions. There are two types of IBD: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). Both forms of IBD are more common in developed countries, but former smokers and non-smokers are more likely to have UC, and smokers are more likely to have Crohn's disease.
People with UC often have ulcers and inflammation in the lining of the colon, but Crohn's disease is a disease that affects the entire digestive tract. Doctors believe that your symptoms are the result of a broad, repetitive immune response focused on the intestines.4
The immune system mistakes intestinal material for foreign substances and sends white blood cells that cause inflammation.5 Without significant lifestyle changes, symptoms will continue to worsen and quality of life will decline.
Unfortunately, the symptoms are often associated with stigma, fear, and isolation, resulting in the disease being relatively hidden and people suffering in silence. There is no real cure for the condition, but there are strategies that can help reduce or eliminate symptoms.
Why can hot peppers calm the stomach?
According to a study, when mice were fed capsaicin, the spicy ingredient in chili peppers, their intestinal inflammation was reduced, and some mice were even cured of type 1 diabetes.6 Researchers found that capsaicin acts on receptors to trigger local production of anandamide.
Anandamide acts through the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) to increase the number and function of immune macrophages in the gut. There are endogenous cannabinoids or endocannabinoids produced from glycerophospholipids. Anandamide is an endogenous enterocannabinoid.
It regulates your appetite and energy balance through your enteric nervous system. This study found that anandamide and endocannabinoids play an immunological role in regulating immune tolerance in the gut.7 And it maintains immune homeostasis between the nervous and immune systems.
Since the discovery of endogenous cannabinoid production in the mid-2000s, scientists have begun to explore this system and its regulatory functions with the hope that it will provide a pharmacological approach to health.8
The interactions in the endocannabinoid system are very similar to those that occur in the brain, as the gut has a very large nervous system that is affected by the endocannabinoids produced after consuming chili peppers. Researchers wonder whether people who use edible cannabinoids will experience the same relief.9
What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
The cannabis plant, commonly known as marijuana, has two main active ingredients. The more famous molecule is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is known for its psychoactive properties that make people feel “high” or “stoned.”10 The second chemical found in cannabis is cannabidiol (CBD). It does not have psychoactive effects, but it still has effects on the body. CBD can actually counteract the psychoactive effects of THC.11
How much THC and CBD is in the plant depends on the strain. Over the past decade, many studies have been conducted to determine the medicinal properties of CBD in treating certain conditions. There has been promising evidence for positive effects as an antidepressant.12 Anti-inflammatory,13 Antioxidant14 And it also has neuroprotective effects.15
Medicinal cannabis oil, often used in oil form, is extracted from plants with high CBD content and low THC content. CBD works by binding to cannabinoid receptor cells, some of which are concentrated in the nervous system, but there are receptors in almost every organ in the body.16
The combination of endogenous cannabinoids and receptors constitutes the endogenous cannabinoid system, which is involved in many organ systems, but the four main purposes appear to be neuroprotection, immune balance, stress recovery, and homeostasis regulation.17
THC and CBD are both cannabinoids, but they react differently in the body. THC activates CBD1 receptors, many of which are located in the central nervous system or brain. When combined with psychoactive properties, it creates a “high.”18
CBD Results Spur Further Research
In an interview with Project CBD, neurologist Dr. Ethan Russo discusses the differences between THC and CBD and how they interact with receptors. He points out that cannabis has been selectively bred over the years to have higher THC levels, which increases the psychoactive effects of the plant.19
However, medicinal plants grown for high levels of CBD and low levels of THC do not activate the CBD1 receptor in the same way, he explains.
“It doesn't tend to bind directly to what's called the orthosteric site where THC binds. Instead, it binds to a different part of the receptor, called the allosteric site, and so changes the binding of THC to the endogenous cannabinoids, the endocannabinoids.
So cannabidiol is what’s called a negative allosteric modulator, which is a fancy way of saying that it counteracts the activity of THC when it’s present. This is a good thing if you want too much psychoactivity, and it limits the side effects like anxiety or increased heart rate that can be problematic if you have too much THC.”
These differences have prompted a group of “medical cannabis refugees” to migrate to Colorado in search of the medicinal plant, which has proven uniquely powerful in treating conditions like Parkinson’s disease.20,21 Obsessive compulsive disorder.22,23
Over the past decade, the endocannabinoid system has been shown to be involved in a variety of biological and physiological functions, making it increasingly promising for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathic pain, and multiple sclerosis.24
However, while great progress has been made in research, the psychoactive properties of the cannabis plant, which are socially unacceptable, have presented significant challenges for families seeking treatment. The use of selective receptor agonists could potentially improve treatment options.
Effects of CBD on Gut Health
A study from the University of Vermont found that people who ate hot peppers had a 13 percent lower risk of death, mostly from heart disease or stroke.25 Data showed that participants benefited as a result of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of capsaicin, particularly in the gut.
Excessive inflammatory response in the gut can lead to intestinal damage and impaired motility and secretion, which are the hallmarks of inflammatory bowel disease.26 Since there is currently no known drug treatment, the success of treatment is measured by the severity of symptoms.
Active inflammation of the gut may be mediated through enteric glial cells that release factors that amplify the immune response.27 This represents an important connection between the nervous system and the immune system inside your gut. CBD can control these glial cells in your nervous system without any mental activity, thus reducing the inflammatory response in your gut. These results indicate that CBD meets the criteria for a therapeutic strategy to treat IBD.28
The gut-brain connection offers a powerful explanation for how gut health responds to stress, and conversely, why acute or chronic abdominal discomfort can lead to emotional dissatisfaction. CBD is increasingly being recognized as playing a key role in treating this neuroimmune axis.29
Finally, the side effect profile of CBD oil and other CBD-based medicines is very low. In fact, these medicines have fewer side effects than the current medications used to treat UC and Crohn’s disease.30,31
Prevention and treatment without drugs
As with most health conditions, prevention is the best medicine. As discussed in the video above, gut bacteria have a powerful influence on the immune system and the body’s inflammatory response.32,33 People with inflammatory bowel disease often have altered gut microbiomes, leading to long-term inflammation and symptoms.34 Reestablishing the intestines to a more normal configuration should be a top priority to alleviate symptoms or prevent disease.
Traditionally fermented and unpasteurized cultured foods are full of healthy bacteria and can be easily made from scratch at home. If you struggle with IBD, here are some other helpful foods that are important to consider:
• Blueberries — These little berries are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, and studies show they may help relieve and prevent gut inflammation.35,36 They are rich in polyphenols, which have antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Blueberries, when combined with probiotics, can reduce the amount of bacteria that cause inflammation in the gut and increase the amount of healthy lactobacilli. Fiber protects the gut lining from substances that cause inflammation because it is not broken down in the large intestine.
• Coconut Oil — This is a great food to add to your diet overall and has anti-inflammatory properties that help heal digestive tract damage.37 Coconut oil has antibacterial properties that can kill microorganisms, such as yeast, that can cause chronic inflammation.
• Caprylic acid — This is a medium chain triglyceride (MCT oil) and is also a powerful antifungal. Dr. Leon Chaito, author of “Candida Albicans: Could Yeast Be Your Problem?” recommends this product as an alternative to antifungal medication for Candida overgrowth.
• Animal Omega-3 — This is another essential element in preventing and controlling IBD. However, omega-3 is also a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), and when consumed in excessive amounts, it can cause metabolic damage similar to omega-6 LA. This is because it also breaks down into dangerous metabolites known as advanced lipid oxidation end products (ALE). Consume omega-3 fats in moderation.
• Foods rich in fiber – Foods rich in fiber, such as organic cyclamen seed hulls, berries, vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, root vegetables and tubers, help feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
However, while fiber and starches are often recommended for gut health, if your gut health is poor, they can feed bad bacteria and make your symptoms worse. Excessive intake of slow-motility fiber can feed bacteria along the digestive tract, leading to conditions such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which is often associated with bloating and excessive endotoxin production.
