It shouldn’t come as any surprise that we often liken our gut to our intuitions; we’re told to "trust our gut," usually with fine results. Yes, there are many microscopic creatures thriving on us at any given moment. But why do we think of our gut as a reliable source of intuition?
Perhaps it is due to the fact that our gut is highly sensitive, as anyone knows who overeats and experiences indigestion. Likewise, many people experience a sinking feeling in their belly when something unexpected throws them off their game. We even use the term “It doesn’t sit right” when something seems amiss; just like when we eat something disagreeable, it seems as if there’s a solid lump inside your stomach.
In order to learn more about our guts, let's start with biomes. A "biome" is a community of living materials. Examples of significant geographic biomes are coniferous and deciduous forests, grasslands, tundra, etc.
Microbiomes are inside the gut, and include their own community of living materials. These may include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses, collectively known as "microbiota." You can trust your microbiomes to protest against unwelcome guests (in food or drink) and eject them from your gut. Most microbiota live symbiotically within a healthy body without problems.
How do I create and maintain a healthy gut?
Avoid artificial sweeteners
Eat a diverse diet
Include fermented foods, like yogurt, sauerkraut, or kombucha
Consume plant-based meals like veggies, fruits, and legumes
Eat whole grains
Take probiotic supplements
Take daily CBD supplements like Hempward Farms Full Spectrum CBD Softgels
How might full-spectrum CBD Oil support a healthy gut
We at Hempward Farms are strong believers in whole plant therapy, as nature intended. The impressive hemp plant produces cannabinoids in a perfectly balanced way, so that each individual cannabinoid, which includes CBD plus many more, combines to provide a synergistic effect to maximize support. This is called the "entourage effect." Many CBD companies strip out each part and then recombines them in an artificial way, but we don’t believe in changing what nature already does so well. The benefits of full spectrum CBD far outweigh those made with isolate. Our products retain all the natural terpenes and flavonoids which are already in the plants.
One of the reasons fine gut health is so intrinsic to overall health and prevention of chronic disease is its relationship to systemic inflammation. An imbalanced microbiome combined with a compromised cellular lining means that food particles and toxins can get into our bloodstream. This alerts our immune system (70-80% of our immune system is housed in the gut) and sets off an inflammatory response. It can cause skin issues including acne, eczema and rosacea, hormone imbalances, thyroid dysfunction, joint pain, brain fog, low energy and insufficient libido.
CBD has been shown to modulate both acute and systemic inflammation. It does this by preventing the production of cytokines and interleukins (the proteins that signal to our immune system to set off an inflammatory response), resulting in therapeutic benefits for those suffering with IBS, colitis, gas, bloating and damage to the gut lining.
CBD is also notable for digestive health because its cortisol-lowering benefits help prevent leaky gut or intestinal permeability. Cortisol is a catabolic hormone. It breaks down tissues in the body, and it has a hugely destructive effect on the one cell thick lining of our GI tract. Managing cortisol levels is one of the most important features of a well functioning digestive system.
One final reason one might take CBD to help improve gut health is that some say it helps to regulate appetite. This may be helpful for those who tend to eat too much or too often and experience bloating. Or for those who don't eat regularly enough, CBD may ease stress or other factors which may be holding you back from eating. A minimum of 3-4 hours between meals or snacks allows for efficient digestion and optimum gastric clearance. Either way, it's important to practice making healthy food choices, along with the other options listed above, in order to maintain a healthy gut which precedes a healthy life.