Does CBD oil offer relief from ulcerative colitis symptoms?

Does cannabidiol (CBD) oil alleviate symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

CBD oil, a derivative of the Cannabis sativa plant, has been suggested as a potential treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC), a condition that causes inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the large intestine.

While CBD does not produce the psychoactive "high" associated with cannabis, the safety of CBD products is a concern due to limited research and the lack of FDA assessment for proper dosage, potential drug interactions, and safety.

Current research indicates that CBD oil provides symptomatic relief for UC patients, though its effectiveness is generally reported as less than that of whole cannabis products. Surveys of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, which include UC, show many patients use cannabis or CBD oil for symptom management, with some reporting reductions in pain, stress, anxiety, and opioid use.

A 2025 survey of 93 IBD patients found many used cannabis products and CBD oil; most cannabis users reported symptom relief, but CBD oil was perceived as less effective. About 34% reduced opioid consumption, and 15% reported disease remission using cannabis products (not solely CBD oil).

Previous randomized placebo-controlled trials on herbal cannabis (not isolated CBD) have documented clinical improvements in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, including increased quality of life and some instances of disease remission, particularly in Crohn’s disease.

However, clinical evidence specifically on CBD oil remains limited. A 2018 animal study suggests that CBD may reduce inflammation, which could potentially help individuals with UC, but more research is needed to verify its effectiveness. A 2018 clinical trial indicates that CBD may assist in the symptomatic treatment of UC, but it did not show a significant difference in remission rates compared to a placebo.

In summary, patient-reported outcomes and some clinical trials support cannabis’s symptomatic benefits for UC, but CBD oil alone is less studied and perceived as less effective. More rigorous randomized controlled trials of CBD oil specifically in ulcerative colitis are needed to confirm efficacy and inform clinical use.

It is important to note that the FDA has not approved CBD to treat ulcerative colitis. Safer alternatives to CBD for UC include probiotics, exercise, and curcumin supplements. Curcumin, a component of turmeric, may help with UC in combination with mesalamine, but more research is needed to verify its effectiveness.

Exercise is safe and beneficial for people with IBD, while the safety of high-intensity exercise is unclear. Moderate exercise may prevent relapses of IBD, such as ulcerative colitis, and has an inverse relationship with IBD risk, with more exercise lowering the risk.

The FDA recommends people consult a doctor before taking products containing CBD due to potential side effects. Common side effects of CBD include diarrhea, tiredness, and changes in appetite or weight.

References:

NORML survey and review (2025) on cannabis and CBD oil for IBD symptom relief, including ulcerative colitis.
Editorial on complementary medicines for IBD, highlighting the gap in clinical trial evidence.
Purdue University (2025) preliminary studies on hempseed diets reducing inflammation markers in IBD animal models.
National Institutes of Health-funded survey on marijuana and CBD providing significant symptom relief to IBD patients.
The FDA has approved only one CBD product to treat certain types of seizures.
Ulcerative colitis is a condition that causes inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the large intestine. Symptoms include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain.
CBD oil, derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, is often suggested as a potential treatment for persons with ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic medical-condition that affects the digestive health.
While switchers to CBD might find relief from UC symptoms such as pain, stress, and anxiety, the safety of CBD products is a concern due to limited science and the FDA's lack of assessment for dosage, drug interactions, and safety.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) seekers, including those with UC, frequently turn to cannabis or CBD oil for symptom management, with some reporting improvements in their chronic diseases.
A study in 2025 found that about 34% of IBD patients, including those suffering from UC, reduced their opioid consumption and 15% reported disease remission using cannabis products, not solely CBD oil.
Previous clinical trails on herbal cannabis, not isolated CBD, have documented improvements in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, including increased quality of life and some instances of disease remission.
Despite some indications that CBD oil might reduce inflammation, which could potentially aid individuals with UC, research on CBD oil's effectiveness for UC specifically remains limited.
In a 2018 animal study, CBD showed promise in reducing inflammation, but more research is needed to verify its efficacy in treating chronic diseases like UC.
A 2018 clinical trial on CBD oil suggested it could assist in the symptomatic treatment of UC, though it did not show a significant difference in remission rates compared to a placebo.
Safer alternatives for managing ulcerative colitis include probiotics, exercise, and curcumin supplements. Curcumin, a component of turmeric, may help with UC in combination with mesalamine, but more research is needed to verify its effectiveness.
The FDA recommends people consult a doctor before taking products containing CBD due to potential side effects such as diarrhea, tiredness, and changes in appetite or weight. It's important to remember that the FDA has not approved CBD to treat ulcerative colitis.