Cleveland, OH: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, frequently report using cannabis products to manage their symptoms, according to survey data published in the journal Academia Medicine.
Investigators affiliated with the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine surveyed 93 IBD patients regarding their use of either cannabis or CBD products.
Among those participants who acknowledged consuming cannabis, most said that it mitigated their IBD-related pain, stress, and anxiety. Many patients also reported using CBD oil products; however, they did not perceive them to be as effective as cannabis.
Thirty-four percent of patients reported decreasing their opioid consumption when using either cannabis or CBD products – a finding that is consistent with prior data. Fifteen percent of patients reported that their use of cannabis products induced disease remission.
“The findings indicate that a significant proportion of IBD patients use cannabis, notice symptom relief, and prefer its therapeutic use,” the study’s authors concluded. “As interest in alternative treatments gains momentum, these results can influence future clinical trials, guide healthcare professionals in patient counseling, and be included in altering treatment modalities.”
Observational trials have previously documented that cannabis use by IBD patients is associated with fewer ER visits. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 21 patients with refractory Crohn’s disease, nearly half achieved disease remission following their use of herbal cannabis. A separate placebo-controlled trial reported that herbal cannabis is associated with clinical improvements and increased quality of life in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.
Full text of the study, “Inflammatory bowel disease patients believe cannabis and cannabidiol oil relieve symptoms,” appears in Academia Medicine. Additional information on the use of cannabis for IBD is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.