Crohn’s Disease and Medical Cannabis Treatment

Crohn’s Disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of parts of the digestive tract. The cause of Crohn’s Disease is still unknown, but it is believed that it results due to the immune system. Crohn’s Disease symptoms may vary from patient to patient and also based on the type and severity. But the common symptoms of the Disease include:

• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Cramping
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite

Crohn’s Disease is classically a relapsing-remitting condition that signifies that a person suffering from disease experiences both periods of remission. A patient may experience a few or no symptoms, and the other is flare-ups that indicate the symptoms getting worse. Currently, there is no treatment for Crohn’s Disease, but the treatment of Disease aims to relieve symptoms only and keep a patient in remission.

Medical doctors have started recommending Medical Marijuana treatment for several health conditions. A few studies also suggest that Medical Cannabis has the potential to relieve the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease. The consumption of Medical Cannabis may also help in improving the appetite and provide better sleep. Well, talking about considering Marijuana as a treatment, there’s a lot to consider before you think of trying it. Let us take a closer look at it.

Can Medical Marijuana Treat Crohn’s Disease?

Marijuana is a natural remedy that has the curative properties to treat several health conditions. Crohn’s Disease is one such medical condition that is on the list of qualifying conditions. Talking about the effectiveness of Medical Cannabis on Crohn’s Disease, it is suggested by the research studies that Medical Cannabis has the potential to alleviate the inflammation and several symptoms of the Disease. Let us dig into the Disease’s research and the effects of Medical Cannabis on Crohn’s Disease.

What Research Has To Say!!

Some authors analyzed a systematic review in 2018 on the effects of Medical Marijuana in treating Crohn’s Disease. The systematic review examined the results from three studies.

• The first study implicated 21 patients with Crohn’s Disease who smoked either a medical cannabis cigarette or a placebo every day for eight weeks. Patients in the Medical Cannabis group were more likely to attain clinical remission than those in the placebo group. Conversely, the people in the marijuana group experienced a few side effects, including nausea, confusion, memory loss, and sleepiness, but these effects were mild.
• The second study involved comparing Medical Cannabis oil with placebo oil on 22 people who have Crohn’s Disease and concluded with no difference in the clinical remission rates.
• The third study involved 50 patients who have Crohn’s Disease. The researchers gave them Medical Marijuana or a placebo for eight weeks. The research concluded with Medical Marijuana oil led to better scores in providing the quality of life and symptom severity than placebo.

The authors of the 2018s systematic review indicated that the quality of evidence of the trials was low and also concluded that more research studies are essential to evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of Medical Cannabis in treating patients with Crohn’s Disease.

How Does Medical Cannabis Work On Crohn’s Disease?

Marijuana contains several constituents, including cannabinoids that are responsible for the effects of the drug. The cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant function by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system that scientists believe plays a crucial role in regulating several bodily processes. These processes include appetite, pains, mood, gastrointestinal motility, stress response, immune function, memory, and emotion.

What Symptoms Does Medical Cannabis Treat?

As per the current research on Medical Cannabis concerning Crohn’s Disease, it helps treat several symptoms of the Disease. The consumption of Medical Marijuana may help in relieving the following symptoms of Crohn’s Disease.

• Increases appetite
• Controls Nausea
• Minimizes Diarrhea
• Reduces abdominal pain

Conversely, there is only limited evidence to support the efficiency of Medical Cannabis in treating the symptoms as mentioned above in patients who have Crohn’s Disease. A study found that the consumption of Marijuana by teenagers diagnosed with IBD was common, and many users believed that the treatment helped relieve the physical pain.

How To Consume Medical Cannabis?

The legality and consumption methods of Medical Marijuana vary from state to state in the US. The consumption of Medical Marijuana without obtaining legal permission can put the patient in legal trouble. The valid consumption methods of Medical Marijuana include capsule form, spray oil, an edible oil, vaporizer, or inhaling the drug vapor. As Medical Marijuana comes in several types of product range, the patient can choose the feasible mode of consumption with appropriate constituent’s content based on the requirement to treat the health condition and doctor’s recommendation.

Risk Factors

Before counting on Medical Marijuana as a reliable treatment option for treating Crohn’s Disease, it is essential to get familiar with the risk factors included with the consumption of Cannabis. Medical Cannabis may cause a range of short-term and long-term side effects. Conversely, it is essential to note that the side-effects may vary from person to person. It is not necessarily that every patient will experience them.

The short-term side effects occur while the Cannabinoids are in a patient’s body. The short term side-effects may include:

• Impaired motor skills
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Decreased reaction time
• Dry mouth
• Changes in Blood Pressure
• Panic
• Short term memory issues

Due to such short-term side effects, it is strictly prohibited to drive under the influence of Medical Marijuana, operate some dangerous machinery, or perform any other activity that calls for reflex reactions. Some long-term side effects of consistently consuming Medical Marijuana include addiction, depression, or anxiety. People who prefer smoking Medical Marijuana are higher at the risk of suffering from chronic cough, lung infection, or bronchitis.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to consider Medical Marijuana as a treatment option with Medical Doctors’ prescription only. The recommended marijuana strain with appropriate content is essential to treat the health condition the right way. So, self-medication must be avoided, and consumption of Medical Cannabis must be done with the doctor’s advice only.

Final Thoughts

Crohn’s Disease is a long-term health condition with no appropriate cure. The research studies state that Medical Marijuana can alleviate some disease symptoms when consumed in a proper amount. Conversely, there is a lot more research required to confirm the health benefits of Medical Cannabis on Crohn’s Disease. Therefore, it is suggested to consume Medical Marijuana with the doctor’s recommendation only.

It is essential to note that various medical treatments can help a patient with Crohn’s Disease attain and maintain symptom remission, and Medical Marijuana can be one of them. But due to Medical Marijuana’s controversial status, it is essential to obtain a legal right. Acquire a Medical Marijuana Card with My MMJ Doctor and receive your valid card at your doorstep.

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