Show Me the Facts

What is Chrohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease (also known as granulomatous colitis and regional enteritis) is an inflammatory disease which may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms. It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody), vomiting, or weight loss, but may also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis and inflammation of the eye.

Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease, caused by the immune systeminflammation in the gastrointestinal tract; it is classified as a type of inflammatory bowel disease. There appears to be a genetic link to Crohn’s disease, with the highest risk occurring in individuals with siblings who have the disease. Males and females are equally affected. Smokers are three times more likely to develop Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease affects between 400,000 and 600,000 people in North America. Prevalence estimates for Northern Europe have ranged from 27–48 per 100,000. Crohn’s disease tends to present initially in the teens and twenties, with another peak incidence in the fifties to seventies, although the disease can occur at any age. attacking the gastrointestinal tract and producing

There is no known drug or surgical cure for Crohn’s disease; treatment options are restricted to controlling symptoms, maintaining remission and preventing relapse.

(Wikipedia)

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a blanket term for a variety of diseases causing discomfort in the gastro-intestinal tract. It is also called spastic colon, is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any organic cause. In some cases, the symptoms are relieved by bowel movements. Diarrhea or constipation may predominate, or they may alternate (classified as IBS-D, IBS-C or IBS-A, respectively). IBS may begin after an infection (post-infectious, IBS-PI) or a stressful life event. Other functional or pain disorders and certain psychological conditions are more common in those with IBS.

Although there is no cure for IBS, there are treatments which attempt to relieve symptoms, including dietary adjustments, medication and psychological interventions. Patient education and a good doctor-patient relationship are also important.

(Wikipedia)

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis (Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the intestine, specifically the large intestine or colon, that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon. The main symptom of active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset. Ulcerative colitis is, however, believed to have a systemic etiology that leads to many symptoms outside the intestine. Because of the name, IBD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome (”IBS”), a troublesome, but much less serious condition. Ulcerative colitis has similarities to Crohn’s disease, another form of IBD. Ulcerative colitis is an intermittent disease, with periods of exacerbated symptoms, and periods that are relatively symptom-free. Although the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can sometimes diminish on their own, the disease usually requires treatment to go into remission.

(Wikipedia)

Marijuana Facts and Resources:

• Cannabis-based drugs could offer new hope for inflammatory bowel disease patients
  “Researchers investigating anecdotal evidence that cannabis relieves some of the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have discovered a potential new target for cannabis-derived drugs for treatment of the disease.” (secondary source)
  
• In the Human Colon: Cannabinoids Promote Epithelial Wound Healing
  “CB1 receptors are expressed in normal human colon and colonic epithelium is responsive biochemically and functionally to cannabinoids. Increased epithelial CB2-receptor expression in human inflammatory bowel disease tissue implies an immunomodulatory role that may impact on mucosal immunity.”
• Crohn’s Patients Report Symptomatic Relief From Cannabis
  “Patients with Crohn’s disease report subjective benefits from cannabis, including pain relief and increased appetite, according to survey data published in the autumn issue of O’Shaughnessy’s: The Journal of Cannabis in Clinical Practice.”
• Cannabis Helps Ulcers And Crohn’s Disease
  “Researchers claim that cannabis may help combat problems such as intestinal ulcers and Crohn’s disease.”
• Bowel Study Backs Cannabis Drugs
  “The Bath University team found people with the gut disorder had an abundant number of a type of cannabinoid receptors in their body.”
  
• Endocannabinoids and the gastrointestinal tract: what are the key questions?
• Mayo Study: Marijuana’s THC Reduces Stomach Cramping
  “THC may relax the colon and reduce stomach cramping after eating, according to a study presented at the 71st Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. The study compared the effects of dronabinol (THC) and placebo on colonic motility and sensation in healthy adults.”
• Anti-inflammatory compound from cannabis found in herbs
  “A compound found in cannabis as well as in herbs such as basil and oregano could help to treat inflammatory bowel diseases and arthritis, Swiss scientists believe.”
• Cannabidiol, extracted from Cannabis sativa, selectively inhibits inflammatory hypermotility in mice.
  “Cannabidiol selectively reduces croton oil-induced hypermotility in mice in vivo and this effect involves cannabinoid CB(1) receptors and FAAH. In view of its low toxicity in humans, cannabidiol may represent a good candidate to normalize motility in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.”
• Cannabinoids and gastrointestinal motility: animal and human studies.
  “Overall, modulation of the gut endogenous cannabinoid system may provide a useful therapeutic target for disorders of gastrointestinal motility.”

Anecdotal:

• Marijuana and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  “The following account is by a woman who has found marijuana more useful than any prescribed drug. “
• Marijuana and Crohn’s Disease by Marilyn Loskot
  “Using a regular supply of medicinal marihuana I was able to discontinue all of the prescriptions that had allowed me to just survive with the pain in Omaha.”