Does Smoking Hemp Make You Poop? The Science Explained! – Wild Hemp

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Does Smoking Hemp Make You Poop? The Science Explained


Does Smoking Hemp Make You Poop? The Science Explained

If you’ve ever smoked hemp, cigarettes, or even vaped and suddenly felt the urge to use the bathroom, you’re not imagining it. Many people report a bowel movement shortly after smoking, and the reason has less to do with hemp itself—and more to do with how the body reacts to inhaled substances, stimulation, and the nervous system.

So, does smoking hemp make you poop?
The short answer: sometimes—but not directly, and not for everyone.

Let’s break down why this happens, how it compares to nicotine products, and what science says is really going on.

Short Answer

Smoking hemp does not directly cause bowel movements, but in some people it can indirectly trigger the urge to poop due to nervous system stimulation, relaxation responses, increased gut motility, or conditioned body reactions associated with smoking.

How Digestion and Bowel Movements Actually Work

Bowel movements are regulated by:

  • The enteric nervous system (your “gut brain”)

  • The parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode)

  • Hormones and neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, serotonin)

  • Physical triggers like posture, breathing, and relaxation

Anything that stimulates or relaxes these systems can affect digestion.

Source:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases

Why Smoking Hemp Might Make Some People Poop

1. Nervous System Stimulation

Smoking involves:

  • Deep inhalation

  • Breath holding

  • Changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels

This can stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a major role in digestion and bowel movement signaling.

Source:
Cleveland Clinic – Vagus nerve and digestion
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21603-vagus-nerve

2. Relaxation Response

Hemp (especially low-THC or CBD-dominant hemp) can promote:

  • Muscle relaxation

  • Reduced stress

  • Parasympathetic activation

Relaxation makes it easier for the intestines to contract normally—sometimes triggering a bowel movement.

Source:
Harvard Health – Gut-brain connection
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection

3. Conditioned Body Response

For some people, smoking is a routine behavior (similar to coffee in the morning). Over time, the body learns:

“When this happens, it’s bathroom time.”

This is a conditioned reflex, not a chemical effect.

Why Nicotine Products Make You Poop (Much More Often)

This is where the difference matters.

Nicotine is a GI stimulant

Nicotine:

  • Activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

  • Increases intestinal contractions

  • Speeds up gut motility

This is why cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches, and gum are far more likely to make people poop than hemp.

Sources:

National Library of Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3541769/

Johns Hopkins Medicine – Nicotine effects
https://pure.johnshopkins.edu/en/publications/nicotine-and-smoking-a-review-of-effects-on-human-performance-3/

Nicotine Products Known to Trigger Bowel Movements

  • Cigarettes

  • Vapes

  • Nicotine pouches

  • Nicotine gum or lozenges

Hemp does not contain nicotine, which is why the effect—if it happens at all—is usually milder.

Why Vaping (Nicotine or Not) Can Trigger the Urge

Even nicotine-free vaping can cause:

  • Rapid inhalation patterns

  • Abdominal pressure changes

  • Mild stress or stimulation of the autonomic nervous system

These physical factors alone can stimulate bowel movement in sensitive individuals.

Source:
NIH – Autonomic nervous system and digestion
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539845/

Johns Hopkins Medicine – Vaping facts
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/nicotine

Why Smoking Anything Can Sometimes Make You Poop

Smoking hemp, cannabis, tobacco, or even herbal blends can affect digestion because of:

  • Posture changes (sitting/relaxing)

  • Deep breathing

  • Stress relief

  • Timing (often after meals)

  • Learned behavioral cues

It’s less about the substance—and more about how your body responds to the act of smoking.

Does Cannabis or THC Play a Role?

THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which does influence digestion—but its effects are inconsistent:

  • Some people experience slowed digestion

  • Others feel relaxation that enables bowel movement

  • Effects vary widely by dose and individual biology

Hemp products with minimal THC are less likely to have a direct cannabinoid-driven GI effect.

Source:
National Library of Medicine – Endocannabinoid system and GI tract
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6150748/

Is This Something to Be Concerned About?

In most cases:

  • ✅ Occasional urge to poop after smoking is normal

  • ✅ Not a sign of digestive disease

  • ❌ Not caused by toxins or “cleansing”

However, consult a healthcare provider if you experience:

  • Chronic diarrhea

  • Severe abdominal pain

  • Blood in stool

  • Sudden changes in bowel habits

Key Takeaways

  • Smoking hemp does not directly make you poop

  • Nicotine products commonly stimulate bowel movements

  • Relaxation, breathing, and nervous system effects matter

  • Individual biology plays a major role

  • The effect is usually harmless and temporary

Final Answer

Does smoking hemp make you poop?
For some people, yes—but indirectly. The effect is usually caused by nervous system activation, relaxation, or learned body responses—not by hemp itself. Nicotine products are far more likely to cause bowel movements due to their direct stimulant effect on the gut.

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