Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Medicinal Cannabis

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of cannabinoids improve the symptoms of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Several studies suggest that cannabinoids could offer improvements in the progression and symptomatology of these conditions.

What are Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)?

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease mainly affects the lower end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine but can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the end of the rectum (anus). Although the cause of this condition is unknown, it is believed that it could be caused by a combination of bacterial, environmental, and immunologic factors (autoimmune disorders).

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is characterized by diffuse mucosal inflammation that is limited to the colon. Symptoms usually include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, urgency, and tenesmus.

Both diseases are associated with an equivalent increase in the risk of developing colon carcinoma.

Colon Irritable

Josep suffers from an irritable colon and thanks to the treatment, he has had changes in his quality of life. He leaves us his testimonial so that others can know his experience in the use of #Medicalcannabis

The GI tract contains CB1 and CB2 receptors along its’ entire path [5].

The distribution of these cannabinoid receptors can change during the evolution of various intestinal diseases [6]. Several clinical studies have shown that cannabinoids can act through CB2 receptors and reduce inflammation. This suggests that there is a therapeutic potential for this type of drug in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases [7].

Clinical trials have shown that the intestine contains higher levels of CB1 and CB2 receptors, and that is why both THC and CBD are used for the treatment of these types of diseases. They seem to reduce symptomatology and improve metabolic processes which is why patients who decide to use cannabinoids for the treatment of Crohn’s will decrease their traditional medication drastically due to improvements in their symptoms. Other clinical trials also report a decrease in the rate of activity of the syndrome by more than 40%.

A study conducted by Nftali, T. et al [8], determined that the benefits observed during the use of cannabis in patients with Crohn’s are mainly due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, cannabinoids could also play an important role as they have antidiarrheal effects as well as having influence over gastrointestinal motility (as seen in mice injected with cholera toxins). Another property to consider is the sensation of well-being that cannabinoids can produce.