Marijuana may help treat symptoms of irritable bowel disease, study finds

A new study looking at the effects of marijuana on irritable bowel disease (IBD) has revealed some good news: Patients who used marijuana had fewer symptoms of IBD than those who didn’t.

IBD includes two conditions: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. About three million adults are diagnosed in the US, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

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The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and looked at patients with IBD and their history of using marijuana. The researchers conducted an anonymous survey of patients with IBD who were over the age of 18 and purchased medical marijuana from dispensaries in New York or Minnesota.

The survey questions ranged from patients’ IBD symptoms to their medical marijuana habits, including their purchase history and adverse effects.

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The results were mostly positive, with the majority of IBD cases ranging from mild to moderate, with the median frequency of medical marijuana use being about once a week. Most patients preferred vaping marijuana, mainly with high levels of THC.

The study concluded that medical marijuana users experienced fewer IBD symptoms and fewer emergency room visits. Medical marijuana appeared to have a positive impact on patients’ lives by relieving their everyday IBD symptoms.

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In terms of side effects, the majority of respondents reported feeling euphoric after using marijuana (75.4%), with only a small minority reporting adverse effects such as drowsiness (4.2%), dry mouth/eyes (3rd .4%) and experienced anxiety, depression and paranoia (3.4%).

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More studies are needed to paint a clearer picture of marijuana’s effect on IBD. For now, it seems like there’s an existing connection showing that marijuana can have a positive impact on patients struggling with IBD.

According to the CDC, IBD is a generalized disease of the gastrointestinal tract; it can target any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the intestines. The fact that medical marijuana can have beneficial effects is good news and deserves further study.