Conditions
IBD
Conditions
IBD
Description
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) causes chronic inflammation (pain and swelling) in the intestines, called Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis. 2% of people have some form of IBD. The condition affects all ages, genders, and young adults. Surgery is often needed to resect the gut.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a syndrome, or group of symptoms affecting 12% of the population. IBS is a functional GI disease and affects how the bowels function and can be called a spastic colon. IBS doesn’t inflame or damage the intestines like IBD, so imaging scans won’t detect it. People with IBS rarely need hospitalization or surgery.
Symptoms
- Ulcerations
- Bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Urgent bowel movements
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Nutrient deficiency
How Cannabis Can Help
Inflammation is the culprit and research confirms that CBD reduces cytokines, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha treating the disease. Inhalation of THC reduces gastric motility, slowing down BMs, soothing pain, stimulating appetite, and improving quality of life. CBD may speed up gut motility helping those with constipation from IBS-C and decreasing anxiety over the condition.
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IBD & Cannabis
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Sources
- WebMD, Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis: Know the Difference?
- National Library of Medicine, Cannabidiol lowers incidence of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice.
- National Library of Medicine, Cannabis and Canabidinoids on the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Going Beyond Misuse