by Adrienne Santos - Longhurst, medically reviewed by Eloise Theisen, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC
Healthline
August 26, 2022
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Around 33 million peopleTrusted Source in the United States live with overactive bladder syndrome, a chronic condition that causes the frequent urge to urinate....
How can CBD help?
Understanding how CBD works on an overactive bladder, or any other part of the body, requires a little insight into the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is a cell-signaling system that plays a key role in regulating several functions and processes throughout your brain and body.
In a nutshell, your body produces molecules called endocannabinoids that stimulate endocannabinoid receptors. Endocannabinoids are structurally similar to CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Both are found in the cannabis plant.
This similarity means CBD can also stimulate these endocannabinoid receptors — including the ones that affect bladder function.
When you use CBD, then, the cannabinoids in the product bind to those receptors and activate them. This triggers certain actions that appear to help an overactive bladder.
It can help relax your bladder
CBD may help an overactive bladder by reducing contractions of the detrusor muscle. This muscle has a key role in the function of your urinary system...
Typically, you can hold in your urine long enough to get to the bathroom.
But if you have an overactive bladder, the signals between your brain and bladder cause your muscles to contract involuntarily. In other words, the urge to urinate comes on so suddenly that you can’t wait. This may happen before your bladder becomes full.
But CBD may act on the cannabinoid receptors within the detrusor muscle, helping relax it to prevent detrusor overactivity and contractions.
It can help regulate signals between your brain and bladder
CBD can also have an impact on the signals between your brain and bladder.
If it’s a signaling disconnect causing the detrusor muscle to spasm and contract erratically, cannabinoids may help reduce the number of misfires that make your bladder run on overdrive.
It can help ease inflammation
CBD can help regulate the body’s inflammatory response and reduceTrusted Source neuroinflammation. These properties may also help reduce bladder overactivity.
Neuroinflammation, in particular, is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions can involve an increased risk of overactive bladder...
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