Today, medical cannabis is being used more and more to treat a variety of medical issues. Unlike traditional medications created in laboratories that may cause potentially harmful side effects, medical cannabis is relatively safe to use. From helping increase the appetites of people suffering from cancer to easing the pain that occurs from arthritis, medicinal marijuana is becoming the medication of choice for many people suffering from certain diseases and medical conditions. One of the ailments that is being treated with medical cannabis today is Crohns disease. But is it really effective? Does it really help ease the symptoms associated with this medical issue? Read on to find out.
What Is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn's disease is a disease that causes the gastrointestinal tract to become inflamed. While symptoms vary from person to person, Crohn's disease is an often uncomfortable and painful condition that can cause frequent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, bloating and cramping, fatigue, and fever, among other bothersome issues. While there are a variety of medications used to treat this condition, it never really goes away. Symptoms may lie dormant for periods of time, but the symptoms can often come on strong without any warning. Medication can help ease the problems associated with this illness, but these medications can come with unpleasant side effects. That is why more and more people suffering from Crohn's disease are trying medical cannabis.
Does Medical Cannabis Help Ease The Symptoms Of Crohn's Disease?
In 2011, the very first study of medical marijuana's effect on people suffering from Crohn's disease was conducted. This study included 30 people who hadn't been receptive to traditional Crohn's disease medications. According to the study, all 30 people claimed their overall well-being improved with use of this alternative medication.
Two years later, a new test was conducted in which half the patients were given a placebo cannabis cigarette without the THC while the other half were given a cannabis cigarette with THC. The people in the THC group experienced a greater amount of relief than the people in the placebo group. While the symptoms of the THC group may have been lessened, researchers found that cannabis didn't change the levels of inflammation found in the blood. In conclusion, researchers found their wasn't enough data to conclude whether or not cannabis is an effective treatment for Crohn's disease.
Risks Involved With Using Medical Marijuana To Treat Crohn's Disease
While medical marijuana is relatively safe to use and can be a good alternative for those who haven't had their symptoms eased through the use of traditional Crohn's disease medications, a study found that cannabis could actually increase the risk of surgery for some sufferers of this illness. Cannabis also masked ongoing inflammation in some patients which caused them to believe they were in remission when they were not. While medical marijuana may reduce the symptoms of Crohn's disease for some patients, it has not been proven to eliminate the condition altogether in any scientifically proven way.
Although it cannot be medically proven that marijuana can help with the symptoms of Crohn's disease, it can be an effective treatment for some patients. If you live in one of the 28 states where medical cannabis is legal, it may be a treatment option worth considering if you haven't found relief from other medications. While medical marijuana may not cure Crohn's disease for you, it has been shown to provide relief from this uncomfortable and often painful condition for some people. With its relatively low risk of side effects and potential for helping alleviate the symptoms of Crohn's disease, medical marijuana may be the right medication for you if no other medicine has worked.
