Does Marijuana Help Ibs Symptoms
The short answer, if youve been wondering, can marijuana help with IBS, is yes! Most people know, but it goes much further. Cannabis can even provide relief from a handful of the symptoms associated with any type of IBS, including stress, diarrhea, cramping, and bloating.
Stress is one of the leading causes of IBS symptoms, and marijuana helps reduce stress so that you can better manage IBS. By reducing your stress, youll have fewer outbreaks. But it goes beyond just helping to manage your stress. One of the potential benefits of using medical marijuana is its effect on controlling inflammation in the gut and treating painful muscle contractions. Not only is it a great pain reliever there have been studies showing the antibacterial properties, which are extremely beneficial to people with IBS.
If youve been searching for a way to get relief and gain control over your symptoms, you may want to consider a medical card for IBS. You can discuss your symptoms with a medical marijuana doctor to determine if cannabis is a good fit for you.
Final Verdict: Should You Consider Using Cbd For Ibs
Although researchers havent yet identified the exact cause of IBS, the condition likely involves a mix of dysfunction between multiple organ systems, poor diet, and lifestyle habits, CBD is a promising treatment that can make the symptoms more manageable in a safer way than conventional treatments.
The best form of CBD to address IBS is an oil, capsule, or suppository. Its also important to maintain consistency in your supplementation for optimal results only then will the CBD be able to exert its full potential. While its true that many people may experience the benefit of CBD right away, many folks report first signs of relief after a 3-week period.
Taking CBD along with implementing dietary and lifestyle changes and adding patience to that combo may cause your IBS symptoms to enter remission for a long time.
Do you take CBD for IBS? How do you use it and are you satisfied with the results? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Study #4 Muccioli Gg Naslain Dbckhed F Reigstad Cs Lambert Dm Delzenne Nm Cani Pd The Endocannabinoid System Links Gut Microbiota To Adipogenesis
A team of Belgian researchers revealed that altering the gut microbiome of obese mice through prebiotics, found that the promoted growth of beneficial bacteria, altered ECS expression in fat tissue with implications for lipid metabolism and fat cell formation. While this is a preliminary study not done in humans, it does suggest there is a link between microbiota and the Endocannabinoid System .
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Medical Marijuana For Treating Ibs Symptoms
The evidence for treating IBS specifically is sparse at this time. Were beginning to see clinical experience suggesting effectiveness. Much of this effect appears to be related to a group of conditions that often go together.
A 2008 study published by the Neuro Endocrinology Letter concluded, Migraine, fibromyalgia, IBS, and related conditions display common patterns that suggest an underlying clinical endocannabinoid deficiency that may be suitably treated with cannabinoid medicines.
Another study published in 2016 by Neuropharmacology stated that Cannabidiol , the main non-psychotomimetic component of mariuana, exhibits anxiolytic-like properties in many behavioral tests, suggesting that this component in cannabis can help reduce stress-like symptoms which many people with IBS may suffer. However, further investigation on this matter is still necessary.
Similarly, a review in 2016 of illness likely related to Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency suggested GI propulsion, secretion, and inflammation in the gut are all modulated by the ECS, providing a rationale for cannabinoids as treatment candidates for IBS.As examples, GI propulsion is under tonic control of the ECS,21 and cannabis was one of the first effective clinical interventions in the 19th century for the intense secretory diarrhea associated with cholera, a finding which was more recently validated with modern methodology.
Medical Marijuana For Ibs
Irritable bowel syndrome impacts as much as 10 to 15 percent of the U.S. population, but there may be some hope for relief in the form of medical marijuana for IBS sufferers. A growing body of research highlights cannabis as a potentially effective treatment for both the symptoms and the root cause. And although most states dont specifically recognize IBS as a qualifying condition, there are conditions under which a patient may still qualify.
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Cannabinoids And The Endocannabinoid System
Cannabis is composed of many different substances, and more than 100 of these are what we call cannabinoids. These, possibly along with other compounds known as terpenes, are responsible for the effects of cannabis. Cannabinoids most likely work by interacting with a complex system in the body called the endocannabinoid system . Our bodies naturally produce a family of neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids, which interact with receptors located in the brain, muscles, fat, and digestive tract. These receptors are called cannabinoid receptor type 1 and cannabinoid receptor type 2 .
Scientists only recently found evidence of the ECS when they discovered CB1 in 1988, so research is still ongoing into exactly how it functions. However, most data find that it helps our bodies regulate pain, mood, appetite, gastrointestinal motility, memory, emotions, stress response, immune function, and more. When a person ingests the plant-based cannabinoids in cannabis, which are similar molecular shapes to endocannabinoids, they fit into the CB1 and CB2 receptors and trigger reactions that result in either very high or very low levels of specific neurotransmitters, which the cells of the nervous system, as well as other systems in the body, use to communicate with each other.
The two most important cannabinoids, and the two that typically compose the majority of cannabinoids in cannabis, are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol .
What Are The Best Strains For Ibs
While many people have been self-medicating with it for years, in many states, you can legally purchase medical marijuana and get relief.
Sativa and Indica are two of the most popular strains of medical marijuana. The appearance and effects are very different. Sativa offers a revitalizing effect, while Indica has more of a sedative effect.
The Indica strain is used most often to treat medical conditions due to its soothing effects. This type of plant grows small, thick, and has smaller-sized leaves than Sativa.
Youll also find hybrid strains. This is a combination of Indica and Sativa, and cal also is used to relieve the many symptoms of IBS. A hybrid strain has a combination of traits from both Sativa and Indica when it comes to its appearance, smell, flavor, and effects. You may not know how youll be affected.
Youll find both strains of cannabis come in edibles for IBS and are just as effective.
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Why Medical Marijuana For Ibs
Studies have found that intestinal irregularities like IBS may be triggered by causes related to the endocannabinoid system, the bodys internal system of cannabis-activated neurotransmitters. More specifically, IBS may be triggered or exacerbated by clinical endocannabinoid deficiency , a condition where the body doesnt produce enough endocannabinoids.
When you consume cannabis, the cannabinoidslike THC and CBDbind to and activate receptors within the endocannabinoid system. This may help to explain why medical marijuana has shown some effectiveness for IBS.
Additional studies have identified large concentrations of endocannabinoids in the gut and have suggested interactions between the endocannabinoid system and gut bacteria. Certain endocannabinoid receptors, specifically CB1 and CB2, have shown evidence of serving a protective role in IBS. CB1 receptors predominantly impact the nervous system while CB2 receptors are associated with the immune system. Its possible that these receptors work in concert to aid both the digestive and immune factors associated with IBS, though more research is needed.
In addition, cannabis has been shown in various studies to treat specific symptoms of IBS, including muscle spasms as well as vomiting and nausea. So even if medical marijuana isnt able to remedy IBS at its source, it may offer significant short-term relief from the associated pain and discomfortparticularly in individuals with a severe form of the condition.
Alteration Of The Endocannabinoid System In Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The role of the ECS in gut homeostasis and its ability to modulate inflammatory responses demonstrate its part in preserving gastrointestinal function. Alterations of the ECS may predispose patients to pathologic disorders, including IBD. This has been demonstrated in both murine models,, and human models, described below.
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How To Choose The Best Strain For Ibs
According to the studies on cannabis and IBS, both high-THC and high-CBD strains have the potential to relieve symptoms.
Using products with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD is probably the smartest therapeutic route as it will keep the inflammation down without any unwanted psychoactive effects.
Since the effects of cannabis are subjective you will need two things:
Quality Of The Cbd Product
Again, the CBD market remains unregulated, so you have to know what to look for in premium-quality CBD products when you buy locally or online. These include:
- Laboratory test result or certificate of analysis by a certified third-party: This shows the CBD products quality, potency, and safety. It looks for the presence of toxic residues, harmful residual solvents, heavy metals, and pathogenic microbes. It also makes sure that the product contains its stated cannabinoid and terpene profiles and potency.
- CBD source: The source material must be organically grown and free from artificial pesticides. CBD should also be extracted using safe and clean methods like the supercritical CO2 extraction process.
- Customer reviews: These tell a lot about the CBD product, so stay away from those receiving more negative feedback than positive ones.
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Medical Marijuana And Stigma
As much as I would like to start off with discrediting the social stigma that surrounds the medical use of marijuana, I figured it would be too typical to do so. With the amount of unbiased-scientific research that proves its beneficial values, the increasing number of states in America that are legalizing the plant for medical use , and for the fact that there has not been any recorded deaths caused by marijuana alone in history there is no need to try to convince people that marijuana is not as bad as the media and propaganda make it out to be. I am fighting myself to advocate against the negative stereotypes because I am a firm believer in marijuana as an herbal medicine and its other uses as a natural resource. However, my sole purpose with this article is to talk about the benefits of natural remedies, specifically medical marijuana, and how it helps with my IBS.
Risks Of Marijuana Use
Although proponents of marijuana argue that it can be used safely, it is not without risks. This does not mean that all people who use medical marijuana will experience these problems. But risks are heightened for people who are older or for those who are suffering from an illness that affects the immune system.
These risks are also heightened in street forms of the drug, due to a lack of purity. And your susceptibility to these risks is also increased with the heavier use of the drug.
The potential negative effects of marijuana, whether in a plant or synthetic form, include the following:
- Addiction or dependence
- Interference with normal brain development
- Lung damage
- Cognitive problems, with negative effects on judgment, concentration, memory, and balance
- Increased risk of testicular cancer
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Birth defects
- Mental health problems
- Seizures
Many of these potential negative effects hold true for the synthetic forms of medical marijuana.
Severe side effects associated with the use of prescription medical marijuana medications include an increased risk of seizures, hallucinations, arrhythmias, and tachycardia.
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Can You Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Cannabis
Laws against weed have made it difficult for researchers to fully study the medicinal properties of cannabis. Despite this, there is a largeand rapidly growingbody of data pointing to weeds many health benefits. So far, this includes things like epilepsy, certain kinds of cancer, chronic pain, and a number of other conditions. But what about digestive disorders? More specifically, can you treat irritable bowel syndrome with cannabis? Heres what the research shows.
What Is The Aim Of The Study
Alistair Vickery, the medical director of Emyria said the following:
Thereve been numerous reports from people taking medicinal cannabis and recreational cannabis. These reports have shown that symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea are relieved when people are taking cannabis.
There have not been any high-quality studies looking at specific doses or specific formulations of either CBD or THC or where the combinations of those work best.
So, what wed like to learn is what works for whom and when.
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Increased Cannabis Use In Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
A significant proportion of patients with IBD use CAM for additional management of symptoms. Motives for using CAM include ineffectiveness of current therapies, fewer side effects, and a sense of gaining control over the disease.,, As public awareness of medical cannabis use increases, population studies have reinforced the use of medical cannabis for symptom relief in IBD patients ,,,,
Medical Studies On Ibs & Cannabis
Prohibitions on cannabis have stifled research in the past, but several survey studieshave found that IBS patients who used cannabis do experience symptom relief, although not all studies have come to the same conclusion.
- A pharmacogenetic trial found that dronabinol can slow down colon activity and make the organ more compliant for patients with diarrhea predominant and alternating IBS.
- A study concluded that dronabinol does not affect visceral perception to rectal distension or the threshold of discomfort.
- A small, short-term randomized control trial found no treatment effects among participants with diarrhea predominant IBS who were given dronabinol, or a placebo for two days.
- A 2016 study described how increasing our understanding of the ECS will greatly advance our knowledge of interactions between the brain and gut and could lead to new treatments for gastrointestinal disorders.
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How Cannabis Works On Ibs
The endocannabinoid system exists in all vertebrates and helps regulate crucial functions such as sleep, pain, and appetite. The human body produces its own cannabinoids, which modulate and activate its various functions, but as its name suggests, the endocannabinoid system can also be regulated and triggered by cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.
The ECS also plays a large role in maintaining homeostasis in the digestive system, and is involved in the internal biological processes that lead to nausea, vomiting, gut motility, and intestinal inflammation. As a result, the ECS may be an important therapeutic target in the treatment of diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, including IBS.
The two primary cannabinoid receptors are present all over the body, and the receptor CB2 is particularly abundant in the gastrointestinal tract. Tetrahydrocannabinol , the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, helps activate both receptors. Research indicates that activating cannabinoid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract may reduce motility and inflammation, and decrease hypersensitivity in the gut. In addition, animal studies have found that activation of certain cannabinoid receptors inhibits visceral pain pain felt in the internal organs. In the case of IBS this refers to the intestines or bowels.
Cbd And Anxiety And Depression
People with IBS have a high risk of developing mental health problems like anxiety and depression. While mental health problems dont cause IBS, they can aggravate IBS symptoms since they increase the brain cells sensitivity to pain.
CBD produces antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects through its stimulation of the serotonin receptor. It also helps maintain the balance between the neurotransmitter levels in the brain, an imbalance of which may result in anxiety and depression.
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Cbd Oil For Altering Ibs
People with this form of IBS experience alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea.
For example, the patient may suffer from constant diarrhea for a few months, only to switch to several months of hard constipation. The sudden shifts in bowel functioning can be caused by neurological, immunological, or dietary factors, which makes the cause difficult to identify.
CBD may help this type of IBS because it doesnt influence the digestive function in any specific direction. Instead, it works to enhance the bodys ability to maintain homeostasis. Along with introducing a healthy diet and other therapies to manage symptoms, the body may return to its normal state faster than normally.
Current Treatments For Ibs
Depending on the severity of your IBS symptoms, you may benefit from a simple lifestyle or diet change. In severe cases you may try prescription or over the counter medications which are used for the treatment of IBS. Some of these medications come with unpleasant side effects, such as nausea or discomfort, and their long term efficacy has not been determined. It is important to note that while some people find relief from pharmaceutical prescriptions, many others do not. We encourage you to rule out all potential causes of your digestive symptoms with your primary care physician prior to using any pharmaceutical products.Most doctors recommend dietary changes such as an elimination diet, lifestyle changes, probiotics and fiber supplements as a first trial to improve symptoms. These changes address the symptoms of IBS but may not address the root cause. You can also try an OTC test kit for harmful bacteria or parasites in your digestive tract. These are not uncommon in the era of factory farming.
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