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Did you know that digestive diseases affect 60 to 70 million people in the United States?
Digestive diseases can cause a range of symptoms including: vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, heartburn, chronic constipation and more. Crohn's disease is among one of the medical conditions to benefit from medical marijuana treatment.
What is Crohn's Disease?
People with Crohn’s disease experience inflammation of the digestive tract.
Symptoms include:
Diarrhea
Intense stomach pain
Fatigue
Weight loss
What Are the Treatments For Crohn's Disease?
Typical treatment for gastrointestinal disorders includes: medication, supplements and
lifestyle changes – such as regulating diet and avoiding certain foods. However, medical marijuana has become a more common way to treat Crohn's disease.
How Does Cannabis Help Relieve Symptoms of Crohn's Disease?
Crohn's disease is a result of inflammation, and both THC and CBS contain powerful components that have anti-inflammatory effects.
Cannabis interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS’s main
responsibility is to balance and regulate various functions of the body, including: appetite, pain, GI motility and more. Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout nerves in the gut. Levels of cannabinoid receptors can make a difference in a healthy and unhealthy gut.
For example, CB1 plays a role in bridging the gap between the digestive system to the brain through the nervous system. CB2 receptors are typically scarce in a healthy gut.
Since cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, interact with these receptors, medical
marijuana is a recommended treatment for anyone suffering from Crohn's disease.
When cannabis interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the digestive tract, the result can
be calming spasms, easing pain and improving motility. Cannabis has also been shown
to have anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate multiple symptoms at once and recent research has even suggested that cannabis can either enhance or suppress immune response.
As more research develops in relation to cannabis and gastrointestinal disorders, more
awareness around the disease and the treatment will become available. As always, it is important to contact your medical marijuana doctor to determine your best course of treatment.
If you suffer from Crohn’s Disease or another GI disorder, schedule your appointment with us today to get the relief you deserve. Book an evaluation today!
If you are a Pennsylvania resident suffering from a medical condition you think may benefit cannabis, you're likely eligible for medical marijuana treatment.
To learn more about the medical marijuana process or schedule an appointment, give us a call today at (855) 607-5458 or book your evaluation online.