Important: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a serious inflammatory bowel disease that requires care from a board-certified gastroenterologist. CBD is not approved by the FDA to treat ulcerative colitis. Never substitute a supplement for prescribed UC therapy — uncontrolled inflammation can lead to hospitalization and complications.
Because the gut contains a high density of cannabinoid receptors, ulcerative colitis is a frequent topic of CBD-related questions. The published research, however, is more mixed than wellness blogs often acknowledge. This page summarizes what has actually been studied, including the well-known randomized trial whose results are often glossed over.
The short version
- CBD is not a treatment for ulcerative colitis. No CBD product, consumer or pharmaceutical, is FDA-approved for UC.
- The available clinical evidence is limited and inconsistent. The most-cited randomized trial (Naftali et al., 2017) did not find that CBD-rich extract significantly improved remission rates compared to placebo.
- Standard UC care includes 5-aminosalicylates (mesalamine), corticosteroids for flares, immunomodulators, and biologic therapies (anti-TNF agents, anti-integrin therapies, and JAK inhibitors among others). Disease control reduces long-term complication risk.
What ulcerative colitis is, briefly
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which the immune system attacks the lining of the colon and rectum. Symptoms include diarrhea (often bloody), abdominal pain, urgency, and fatigue. UC can cause significant disability during flares and is associated with longer-term complications including increased colorectal cancer risk if not well-controlled. UC is generally a lifelong condition managed with medications and lifestyle support.
What the published research actually shows
Honesty about the evidence base is the right approach here.
Naftali et al. 2017 — the most-cited randomized trial
Researchers in Israel ran a 10-week placebo-controlled trial of a CBD-rich cannabis extract in 60 patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. Key takeaways from the published results:
- The primary endpoint (clinical remission at week 10) did not differ significantly between the CBD-rich extract group and placebo.
- Secondary endpoints showed some improvement in patient-reported subjective measures.
- Side effects, particularly dizziness and sleepiness, were more common in the active arm and led to a number of dose reductions.
In other words: the best randomized data we have did not show CBD-rich extract producing remission in UC.
Smaller and observational studies
Other smaller studies and observational reports have produced mixed results, with some showing patient-reported improvement in symptoms and others showing no benefit. Observational reports cannot establish causation.
Preclinical work
There is a broader body of preclinical research on cannabinoid signaling in the gut, including in animal models of colitis. This work is hypothesis-generating and does not establish that consumer CBD products affect UC outcomes in patients.
Why this matters
Underselling UC is dangerous. Patients who substitute supplements for prescribed mesalamine, biologics, or other proven therapies risk:
- Uncontrolled flares
- Hospitalization
- Surgical complications
- Increased long-term cancer risk if disease is not controlled
Any wellness conversation about UC should be additive to a treatment plan, not a substitute for it.
Drug-interaction considerations specific to UC
UC regimens may include 5-ASAs, corticosteroids, immunomodulators (azathioprine, 6-MP), biologics (infliximab, adalimumab, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, others), and small molecules such as JAK inhibitors. CBD is metabolized through liver enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP2C19) that also process several of these. Patients on UC medications should not assume CBD is biochemically neutral alongside their regimen.
What the FDA has said
The FDA has not approved any CBD product for ulcerative colitis or any inflammatory bowel disease. The agency has issued warning letters to companies marketing CBD as treatments for IBD. Marketing claims of disease treatment make a product an unapproved new drug under federal law.
Talking to your gastroenterologist
If you live with UC and are curious whether CBD might fit into a wellness routine alongside your medical care, the right path is a conversation with the treating clinician. Useful questions:
- Are any of my UC medications metabolized through pathways CBD also affects?
- Is there a specific reason I should not use a CBD product right now?
- If I do try a CBD product, what should I report back about?
- Are there any clinical trials in this area I should know about?
What we offer at New Phase Blends
We make third-party-tested CBD products designed for general wellness use. They are not formulated, tested, or marketed as treatments for ulcerative colitis or any inflammatory bowel disease. If you have a UC diagnosis, please continue to follow the plan your treating gastroenterologist has built for you.
Frequently asked questions
Does CBD treat ulcerative colitis? No. CBD is not approved for UC, and the strongest randomized data we have did not show CBD-rich extract producing clinical remission compared to placebo.
Has any CBD product been FDA-approved for UC or IBD? No.
Can CBD interact with UC medications? It can. CBD shares liver-enzyme pathways with several UC therapies. Discuss any supplement, including CBD, with your gastroenterology team.
Where can I learn more about how CBD interacts with the body? Our endocannabinoid system overview explains the underlying biology in plain language.
Disclaimer: The statements made on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, including ulcerative colitis or any inflammatory bowel disease. The information here is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed medical professional. Always consult your treating gastroenterologist before adding any supplement to a UC care plan.
