Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms of the disease can include abdominal pain, fatigue, diarrhea, intense weight loss, anemia and soreness in the muscles and joints. However, there is hope that weed can alleviate and cure these symptoms.
Studies of Crohn’s Disease
A few studies and experimental evidence shows that the molecule, endocannabinoids, which is found in cannabis plants plays a significant role in limiting intestinal inflammation. The research also shows that people who had bowel problems, like Crohn’s Disease has higher levels of cannabinoid receptors.
This means that cannabis can trigger those receptors in the body that are needed to cure or alleviate Chron’s Disease and its symptoms.
These cannabinoids are known for their ability to bind themselves to certain cancer cells and kill the cancer cell itself. In extreme cases of Crohn’s Disease, colorectal cancel can be the underlying cause of all harsh symptoms. However, it has been found that cannabis oils can shrink cancer cells and regulate the size of cannabinoid cells.
All 13 patients were said to have a better quality of life because smoking cannabis helped limit the frequency of diarrhea and helped with weight gain.
Treating Crohn’s Disease with Cannabis
Marijuana is not just capable of curing inflammation in the intestines, but it can also help to alleviate the symptoms.
Weight gain is one of the main problems that accompanies the disease. Due do a lack of appetite, nausea, or intense abdominal pain, weight loss is a major problem. Cannabis however can be nature’s answer to these symptoms.
Cannabis increases a a patient’s want to eat and regulates the appetite. Similar to anorexia, a patient who doesn’t eat regularly because of intestinal pain or nausea will lose their appetite due to psychological fear.
Weed can naturally lower this fear of food due to the THC and CBD compounds in the plant itself. These cannabinoids control receptors in the brain that trigger anxiety or fear. You then get something known as the “munchies”, where cannabis increases your appetite and then returns the appetite to it’s normal amount.
For symptoms that cause physical pain, marijuana is a much more natural and safer option that opioids. Cannabis also doesn’t create withdrawal symptoms like that of morphine or other opioid drugs do. The effects of cannabis can be described as much more relaxing and pain relieving, but without the dangerous side effects of prescription medication.
The science is clear that cannabis can cure and alleviate the symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
