Medical marijuana is rapidly gaining mainstream acceptance. Public support for cannabis legalization is growing rapidly, and for very good reason. People are realizing that cannabis could be the answer to many serious health problems. A recent study found that 89% of Americans support medical cannabis.
People often refer to cannabis as a «magical product,» offering health benefits and remedies that can only be considered miraculous by those familiar with its various medicinal properties. But the truth is that there is a lot of science behind the cannabinoids in marijuana plants.
New in-depth research is examining the medicinal properties of the marijuana plant. The goal is to help us better understand the conditions for which cannabis may be beneficial.
Crohn's disease is just one of many conditions for which cannabis may help relieve symptoms. Scientific research and firsthand experiences show how CBD can help treat Crohn's disease. This article explains what Crohn's disease is, who is affected by it, and how CBD can help. We’ll also explore ways to consume CBD to maximize its potential therapeutic benefits.
What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is a condition that causes inflammation of the intestine or the digestive system. Although Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the intestine, two of the most common areas are the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) and the colon. People with Crohn's disease experience long-term swelling and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. This results in stomach cramps and very painful diarrhea.
Crohn's disease can cause abdominal pain, severe vomiting (although this is less common), diarrhea and bloody stools, extreme weight loss, and even skin and eye problems. Anyone with Crohn’s disease will tell you that it is a debilitating condition that causes extreme pain and disrupts daily life.
In addition, Crohn’s disease is considered a chronic condition, which means it is long-term and likely to last a lifetime. People with the disease may experience periods of good health, followed by periods when symptoms are more active or flare up.
Symptoms vary from person to person and often depend on where the disease is active in the intestine. These symptoms range from mild to severe and may change over time. Here are some of the most common symptoms (in addition to those we’ve already mentioned above):
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Anemia (decrease in the number of red blood cells)
- Mouth ulcers
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- A general feeling of being unwell or having a fever
- Abdominal pain and diarrhea
Who gets Crohn's disease?
Since this disease affects 150,000 people in France, it is important to understand who is at risk of developing it. Crohn’s disease can occur at any age, but it tends to develop in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 35. It can affect both men and women, but women are more likely to develop Crohn’s disease.
Although we do not fully understand the exact causes of Crohn’s disease, diet and stress appear to be significant factors that can make it worse. In addition, recent research suggests that genetics and a combination of hereditary and environmental factors may contribute to the development of the disease.
The immune system also plays a major role, but it is not clear exactly how. Researchers do not consider Crohn’s disease to be an autoimmune disease (in which the body’s immune system attacks itself). Instead, the immune system may be attacking something else, such as a virus, in the intestines.
Currently, there is no medical treatment for Crohn’s disease in conventional medicine. However, surgery and medication can help relieve symptoms for long periods of time. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical treatments for Crohn’s disease can have unwanted side effects. These may include headaches, vomiting, night sweats, skin conditions, infections, and nausea.
This is where cannabis comes in—specifically, CBD. For those suffering from this debilitating disease, there is hope. CBD is a natural remedy that may provide relief for many medical conditions, including Crohn’s disease.
How CBD Can Help Manage Crohn's Disease
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound found in cannabis. Although it comes from the same plant as THC, it does not have any psychoactive effects, which means it won’t get you high. CBD also has very mild side effects compared to almost all other medications, and it poses no risk of addiction. It is therefore an excellent option for patients seeking pain relief, particularly those who want to avoid opioids and their side effects.
Pharmaceutical drugs can help relieve the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Unfortunately, some people may find the side effects (such as those mentioned above) too difficult to tolerate. As research on cannabis intensifies, scientists are discovering how cannabinoids may offer a less risky way to help patients with Crohn’s disease.
What does the research say?
As part of an observational study, Israeli researchers monitored and assessed the effects of cannabis use on patients with IBD. One hundred twenty-seven patients authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes participated in the study. The researchers closely monitored these participants using several assessment measures.
These included consumption patterns and monthly consumption rates, the use of other medications, adverse effects, and the long-term effects of medical cannabis use. The authors also measured the exact concentrations of THC and CBD consumed by these patients.
After 44 months of treatment, the researchers used the Harvey-Bradshaw Index to assess the effects of medical cannabis use on patient outcomes. The Harvey-Bradshaw Index score decreased from 11 to 5 (a lower score indicates an improvement in Crohn’s disease symptoms). The average number of daily bowel movements decreased from 7.0 to 3.4. Patients also reported a significant reduction in pain.
Encouragingly, 78% of the participating patients reported experiencing no harmful side effects. Some patients experienced minor side effects, such as dry mouth and memory loss. However, these patients also reported that the improvement in their symptoms outweighed these side effects.
Naftali et al., who conducted the study, concluded that cannabis use could lead to clinical improvement in patients with IBD. The researchers also stated that marijuana is associated with reduced medication use and weight gain. The researchers noted that these patients responded well to a dose of 30g per month, or 21mg of THC and 170mg of CBD per day.
Ways to Use CBD for Crohn's Disease
If you decide to try CBD for Crohn’s disease, it’s important to remember that you should continue taking all medications prescribed by your doctor. Also, talk to your doctor about any other treatments you’d like to try (including CBD). If you decide to try CBD, here are some of the ways you can take it.
Pills
This is probably the easiest and most precise way to get your daily dose of CBD. It’s a quick and simple solution. It’s ideal for people who don’t particularly like the taste of cannabis, the act of vaping, or the process of ingesting raw oils. CBD pills are the top choice for busy schedules because they only take a few seconds to take.
CBD Distillate
You can vaporize CBD using a vape pen and a CBD cartridge. Make sure your product does not contain PG, PEG, or vegetable glycerin, and that it is not an illegal brand that might contain vitamin E acetate, a highly dangerous substance.
Edibles
CBD edibles take a while to kick in (usually about 30 minutes, but sometimes up to 2 hours). However, they have the advantage of producing longer-lasting effects. CBD edibles are easy to prepare, and many of the best ones are delicious.
They are an excellent choice for anyone looking to incorporate CBD into their diet and daily nutritional intake. However, since the goal is to reduce inflammation, avoid edibles containing inflammatory additives such as sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or vegetable oils.
There are many ways to consume CBD, including dabbing, which provides an intense high. However, edibles are by far the most common and popular product. The most important thing is that if you want to try CBD for Crohn’s disease, you don’t have to worry about smoking it. There are many CBD products on the market, and it’s a matter of finding the one that works best for you.
Final Thoughts on CBD for Crohn's Disease
Researchers need to conduct further studies to determine the effectiveness and long-term effects of this cannabis-based therapy.
However, with growing support for medical cannabis, more funds and resources are likely to be allocated to conducting additional clinical studies and research.
We hope this post has been informative and educational, and that it has helped clear up any questions you may have had about CBD and Crohn’s disease.
Sources and scientific studies are cited and linked in the content of the above article.
- Crohn's disease