The results of a recent study in the USA examining the use of CBD and cannabis among Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) sufferers are quite interesting.
IBD is a term that covers a number of conditions, including Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Microscopic Colitis. But IBD may also be diagnosed as ‘unclassified’ or ‘indeterminate’. These conditions all share a common feature: chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal system that may cause damage. IBD can occur in many people, but the conventional treatment is often unreliable and has unpleasant side-effects.
CBD (cannabidiol) is a drug that does not cause intoxication.
Recent research examined the consumption habits, reported results, and perceptions of IBD patients using CBD and cannabis oil. The 37-question questionnaire was given to 139 people, 93 with IBD and the other 33 without.
Of the IBD participants, 47.5% had Crohn’s disease, 18.7% had ulcerative colitis, 6.5% reported having both CD and UC, and 3.6% had indeterminate IBD. While around half of both the IBD and control groups reported cannabis use, significantly fewer IBD patients reported using CBD oil compared to controls — 40.6% vs. 63.6%.
Cannabis/CBD was reported to be effective in treating IBD patients for pain relief, nausea/vomiting, stress and anxiety. It was interesting to note that Crohn’s disease patients were significantly better relieved of certain symptoms than those with ulcerative Colitis. Additionally, 19.4% IBD patients said they had reduced their opioid usage, while 14.5% of IBD reported that cannabis oil or CBD was able to induce remission.
Researchers concluded that:
Cannabis and CBD oil can be used to treat IBD.
This article is a research article was recently published Academia medicine is a journal that publishes research.
It’s not the first time that cannabis has been portrayed in a positive way for treating or managing IBD. One study from 2023 showed that 85.7% people who took cannabis to relieve their symptoms saw improvement. Some years ago, in Australia, an Australian survey found that 25 percent of Australians who had inflammatory intestinal disease used cannabis as a medicinal treatment.
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia (CCA) says More research is required before medical marijuana is used to treat Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis.
Researchers from Australia’s Sydney University, and RPA hospital are currently conducting a study to better understand the cannabis use by people who have IBD.
Your answers will help us explore patient preferences and potential benefits of cannabis. Answers will be used to explore the patient’s preferences for cannabis and its potential health benefits.
Survey results can be accessed here.