We’ve all been there, you’ve just finished enjoying a nice toke from our favorite weed strain, only to find that we need to run to the bathroom mid way through.
Because this isn’t a particularly distressing side effect, it will often go unnoticed by many weed users.
In fact, many of you reading this article may have only just begun to question whether or not it was, indeed, the effects of the drug making you poop.
There are many weird and wonderful side effects that come along with cannabis consumption, so if you’ve been noticing some recently, you’re not alone.
To find out more about the effects of cannabis on your bowel movements, as well as some other lesser known side effects, simply keep reading, as we take a closer look below.
Why Does Cannabis Make Me Poop?
So, why not jump straight in and answer the titular question? Why is cannabis consumption making you poop. Well, this is actually a tricky one to answer, as there is no real definitive answer, only speculation.
One of the key reasons why physicians believe that cannabis prompts people to take a trip to the toilet involves something to do with our stress levels.
It is well known that feeling stressed out can prevent you from passing bowel movements, but when you take a toke on your favorite weed variety, this can help to relax you enough to release any blockages.
This is called getting into a ‘parasympathetic state’.
Think of it this way, if you’re in your fight or flight response, where you’re ready to combat any impending attack, the last thing you want to do is defecate.
So when you’re stressed out, your body will essentially shut down this function momentarily. But, if you’re stressed for a prolonged period of time, this can cause what we know as constipation.
Weed helps to relax you, and therefore prepares your body to defecate.
This doesn’t mean that you should be consuming large quantities of marijuana to help yourself go to the bathroom, however. There is evidence that consuming too much cannabis can actually invoke the opposite, and give you horrible bouts of diarrhea.
If you find that the cannabis you’re consuming is making you go to the bathroom too frequently, or that it’s giving you diarrhea, then it’s probably best that you look for a weaker strain that’s more compatible with your body.
How To Treat Constipation
If you’ve been noticing that the few times in the week where you do manage to poop are after consuming cannabis, then it might be time to consider treating your constipation issues.
Constipation can be caused by a number of factors, but generally, you can treat it at home.
One of the main ways to combat constipation is by making sure to consume enough fiber in your diet. Along with this, you should also make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated.
You should also seek to get more exercise, which can help to stimulate the flow of your bowel movements.
CBD And Diarrhea
Some people who consume CBD oil on a regular basis as an ailment to stress related disorders might also find that it ends up giving them diarrhea.
This can be potentially problematic, as diarrhea is known as one of the main causes of dehydration in the human body, which can potentially prove to be harmful.
If you feel like your CBD consumption might be contributing to bouts of diarrhea, you may want to consider lowering your dose, or not taking it on a daily basis.
In addition, you may want to consider using a topical CBD oil, rather than one you consume orally. This might be enough to help treat whatever is ailing you.
There are also other causes of diarrhea out there that are not connected to marijuana or CBD consumption, therefore, it’s always a good idea to speak to your primary care provider to check things out.
Some of the most common causes of diarrhea include food allergies or intolerances, infections, issues with your digestive tract, or a reaction to certain medicines that you’ve been taking.
Some Other Strange Side Effects Of Cannabis Consumption
As well as needing to poop more frequently, there are a whole host of other weird symptoms that can accompany cannabis usage.
One of the strangest ones is called ‘cyclical vomiting syndrome’. That’s right, this is another one that’s related to your gastrointestinal system, and involves vomiting at random times after smoking or consuming the drug.
This might seem strange to some, as it’s well known that marijuana can help with digestive issues. But, it seems that if you’re consuming it frequently on a daily basis, it can cause you to throw up.
One of the weirdest things about marijuana, is the way that it actually seems to alter time itself. We’ve all been there, where we expect to have seen several hours pass on the clock, only to realize that it’s been a few minutes instead.
This is because of something to do with the thalamus, which is responsible for regulating our perception. Consuming cannabis affects this part of the brain, and as a result, can cause time to feel as though it’s slowing down.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, smoking or consuming weed can make you poop. Physicians speculate that it’s something to do with the relaxation response triggered in our brains.
If we’ve been stressed, this can cause us to become blocked up and constipated, but smoking weed helps us to relax and frees up our bowel movements.
Hi, I’m Zack Finch and I work as a Budtender for a Health & Wellness center here, in sunny California. I have been using marijuana recreationally for around 6 years now, and have many a time enjoyed the benefit that weed has to offer.
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