Unlocking the Power of the Gut-Brain Axis: Coral Cove Wellness’ Guide to Health, Wellness, and Cannabis Insights

By Dr. Adam Abodeely, MD, FACS, FASCRS, MBA, CEO of Coral Cove Wellness Resort

March 7, 2025

As a Gastrointestinal & Colorectal Surgeon specializing in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and motility disorders, I frequently observe the dynamic interplay between the gastrointestinal (GI) system and overall health. The gut plays a foundational role in maintaining wellness—not just for digestion but for nearly every system in the body. The gut-brain axis, in particular, has emerged as a vital pathway that influences both physical and mental health. New research also sheds light on the influence of the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoids in modulating this axis. These evolving insights deepen our understanding and allow opportunities for intervention, not only for GI conditions but for a wide range of diseases.

What Is the Gut-Brain Axis?

The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication network that connects the gut and the central nervous system (CNS). This communication involves a complex array of pathways, including neural (vagus nerve), hormonal (cortisol, gut hormones), and immune-mediated signals. The gut microbiota—trillions of microbes residing in the gastrointestinal tract—plays an integral role in these interactions.

Through the gut-brain axis, the state of the GI tract can influence stress levels, cognitive functions, mood, and vice versa. For example, the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by gut microbes or the release of microbial metabolites like lipopolysaccharides can affect brain physiology and inflammation. On the flip side, chronic stress can disrupt intestinal barrier integrity and gut motility, further altering microbiome composition and function.

The Gut-Brain Axis and Disease

Disruptions in the gut-brain axis have been linked to a spectrum of conditions, including:

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Dysregulation of this axis has been identified in IBS, leading to visceral hypersensitivity and altered motility.

2. Mental Health Disorders: Depression and anxiety are increasingly tied to dysbiosis (gut microbiota imbalance).

3. Neurodegenerative Diseases: Diseases like Parkinson’s involve GI symptoms early in their progression, suggesting a role for gut-derived signals in disease pathology.

Considering IBD and GI cancers—two focus areas of my practice—there is growing evidence that the chronic inflammation and microbiota alterations typical of these conditions could indirectly affect neurological functions through gut-brain pathways.

How to Naturally Support Gut-Brain Axis Health


Improving the health of this vital axis doesn’t need to rely solely on medical interventions. There are natural, effective ways to optimize gut health and, by extension, brain function:


  • Dietary Choices: Incorporate fiber-rich foods that feed beneficial microbiota, such as leafy greens, legumes, and fruits. Foods like yogurt and fermented kimchi can bolster healthy gut microbial diversity.


  • Stress Management: Chronic stress disturbs the gut microbiome and tight junctions in the intestinal lining. Practices like meditation, yoga, and tai chi can mitigate these effects.


  • Sleep Quality: Circadian rhythms influence gut microbial activity. Regular, high-quality sleep is essential for maintaining microbial balance.


  • Physical Activity: Exercise enhances microbiota diversity and increases the production of SCFAs, positively affecting gut health.


  • Probiotic and Prebiotic Supplements: These can promote microbial balance, although their use should be targeted and supported by evidence.



Why Discuss Cannabis in the Context of the Gut-Brain Axis?


The conversation around cannabis has evolved significantly in recent years, shifting from a focus on recreational use to its potential as a natural tool for enhancing health and wellness. With its increasing popularity and broader acceptance, many people are exploring how cannabis integrates into a holistic approach to well-being.


One compelling reason for its inclusion in this discussion is its vital interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS acts as a regulatory system, helping maintain balance across various bodily functions, including mood, immune response, and digestion. Its influence extends directly to the gut-brain axis, a critical pathway that connects gut health to brain function.


Cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC, have been shown to interact with ECS receptors found throughout the gut and brain. This interaction may influence key processes like reducing inflammation, modulating gut motility, and even supporting a healthy microbiome. For individuals dealing with digestive disorders, stress-related gut issues, or overall imbalances in the gut-brain connection, this could open doors to new avenues of care.


Including cannabis in the conversation about gut health isn’t just about its direct effects on the gut. It’s about addressing wellness on a broader scale. From managing stress (a major factor in gut dysfunction) to improving sleep quality and promoting relaxation, cannabinoids can play a supportive role in creating the balance necessary for optimal health.


As we deepen our understanding of the gut-brain axis and the role the ECS plays in this delicate network, cannabis emerges as a natural and promising option to consider. Its ability to support the connection between our mind and body makes it a valuable resource in achieving true wellness.


Cannabis, Endocannabinoids, and the Gut-Brain Axis


To understand how cannabis and cannabinoids affect the gut-brain axis, it’s crucial to first understand the ECS. The ECS is comprised of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), natural compounds such as anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) which are both considered to our own natural body cannabinoids, and enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation. This system is widespread across the body, playing key roles in gastrointestinal motility, inflammation, sensation, and even stress regulation.


Cannabinoid receptors are expressed in the GI tract on both intestinal nerve cells and immune cells, mediating critical functions. CB1, found on intestinal neurons, regulates GI motility and visceral hypersensitivity. CB2, present on immune cells, helps control inflammation.

Cannabis-derived compounds, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), can exert therapeutic effects on the gut-brain axis:


  • IBS and IBD: THC and CBD modulate cannabinoid receptors to alleviate pain, reduce motility disruptions, and suppress inflammation.


  • Stress and Visceral Pain: Chronic stress, a key factor in gut-brain axis dysfunction, suppresses endocannabinoid signaling and increases pain sensitivity. Augmenting ECS activity—either through phytocannabinoids or inhibitors like FAAH inhibitors—restores balance and reduces symptoms.


  • Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabis has long been recognized as a potent anti-emetic. Interestingly, 2-AG levels in the visceral insular cortex correlate with reduced nausea, emphasizing the neuroprotective role of endocannabinoids.


However, excessive or chronic use of cannabis might trigger adverse effects, such as the paradoxical Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). Thus, targeted and judicious use is essential.



Why This Topic Matters


The gut-brain axis is not just important to me as a surgeon but resonates with the philosophy that our gut is central to health. By understanding the interplay of the ECS, gut microbiota, and neural pathways, we extend our reach beyond GI illnesses. For example, insights from this axis could be leveraged to neurologic disorders like Alzheimer’s or autoimmunity.

For cancer patients, manipulating the gut-brain axis or ECS might reduce treatment-induced side effects like nausea or chemotherapy-related pain. For IBD patients, these systems offer novel avenues to reduce flare-ups. The challenge now is translating these exciting findings into clinical applications.


Final Thoughts


Supporting gut-brain axis health requires a holistic approach—combining lifestyle interventions, diet, stress reduction, and emerging medical insights like cannabinoids. For researchers and clinicians, it is an evolving frontier of study. For patients and wellness enthusiasts it offers a beacon of hope for managing chronic conditions and enhancing daily wellness.

The interplay between the gut, brain, and endocannabinoid system is undeniably complex yet deeply vital. By enhancing these systems, we open pathways not just to improved GI health but to a more resilient and balanced body.


Warm regards,


Dr. Adam Abodeely

CEO, Coral Cove Wellness Resort

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