To ascertain whether medical marijuana is a viable treatment for Crohn’s disease, more and more research is looking into the relationship between the two conditions. Numerous studies have found evidence to support the idea that cannabis is a useful treatment for Crohn’s disease symptoms.
As a result, more states are expanding the list of conditions for which medical marijuana is authorized to include inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s. If you have Chron’s disease and want to use marijuana, you should first speak with an MMJ card doctor. He will determine whether or not marijuana is appropriate for you.
Here is our analysis of the most recent findings, the best ways to use cannabis to treat Crohn’s disease, and some suggested strains (cultivars) that might help.
How Cannabis Influences Crohn’s Disease Symptoms
Numerous components of cannabis, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have shown promise in the treatment of Crohn’s disease. These are two of the most notable substances found in the plant: THC gives medical cannabis its intoxicating effects, while CBD mainly reduces inflammation and anxiety. They have a wider impact than these categories, though.
Numerous Crohn’s disease symptoms and effects can be alleviated by cannabis by:
- Cutting down on inflammation.
- Delivering analgesic pain alleviation.
- Lowering tension.
- Appetite growth.
- Lowering vomiting and suppressing nausea.
According to a 2005 study, a survey of 12 Crohn’s disease patients revealed that using cannabis significantly reduced their pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Similar findings were found in another 2011 study, in which all 30 Crohn’s disease patients who used cannabis reported an experiential drop in disease activity, and roughly 60% of them reported a significant improvement in symptoms.
Particularly, studies looking into medical marijuana’s strong anti-inflammatory qualities suggested that the plant might be used as a therapeutic target to treat inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn’s. The anti-inflammatory qualities of certain cannabinoids and the general sense of wellbeing that marijuana use offers may also be the cause of the relief.
Effective Ways to Use Cannabis for Crohn’s Disease Relief
The physiology and unique requirements of each patient determine the optimal method of cannabis use for Crohn’s disease.
One common and quick-acting method of using medical marijuana is smoking, but smoking exposes you to carcinogens that can damage your lungs over time. As an alternative, vaping lowers the temperature at which cannabis is heated, vaporizing the cannabinoids rather than burning them and providing a safer way to absorb their effects.
For longer-lasting relief from chronic symptoms, edibles might be the best choice. Compared to smoking or vaping, edibles are simpler and have longer-lasting effects that last for hours. Additionally, they are far simpler to dose than smoking cannabis, particularly if you buy the edibles from a dispensary.
On the other hand, topicals provide localized pain relief without the psychoactivity associated with other methods of consumption. These might work best for external Crohn’s disease pain, but they might not be as good as other dietary approaches for other symptoms.
To get effective relief, look for options with a high CBD content. For people who wish to avoid the euphoric effects of medical marijuana, CBD is an excellent alternative because it is a strong anti-inflammatory and can reduce the psychoactive effects of THC. Pure CBD products might also help, but you won’t get the entourage effect’s additional advantages.
Terpene and beta-caryophyllene, an atypical cannabinoid, also have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that may be very beneficial to patients suffering from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Best Cannabis Strains for Managing Crohn’s Disease
- ACDC
Because of its special combination of THC, CBD, and terpenes, the cannabis cultivar ACDC is well-known for its analgesic effects. Its higher levels of CBD provide compounding anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects while also reducing the psychoactivity of its THC. Beta-caryophyllene and myrcene are abundant in ACDC.
- OG Kush
Because it can increase appetite and reduce extreme nausea, OG Kush is a good option for people with Crohn’s disease. High concentrations of beta-caryophyllene and myrcene, which give it a peppery scent and eliminate nausea, are responsible for the “munchies.” OG Kush contains important terpenes, including myrcene, limonene, humulene, and pinene.
- Blackberry Kush
An effective strain for treating Crohn’s disease side effects, such as stomach pain, is Blackberry Kush. Higher concentrations of caryophyllene and myrcene, which are known to reduce pain and promote relaxation, are usually found in the cultivar. In Blackberry Kush, the main terpenes are beta-caryophyllene, myrcene, limonene, and linalool.
- Sonoma Coma
People with Crohn’s disease benefit from appetite stimulation, despite the joke that marijuana gives them the “munchies.” Patients with Crohn’s disease may find that Sonoma Coma helps them regain their appetite by stimulating their appetite. The most prevalent terpenes in Sonoma Coma are limonene, beta-caryophyllene, myrcene, and terpinolene.
- Jack Herer
Higher levels of limonene and pinene make Jack Herer a more invigorating strain. This cultivar might aid in reducing the weariness and nervousness brought on by Crohn’s disease. The main terpenes found in Jack Herer are limonene, myrcene, pinene, beta-caryophyllene, and terpinolene.
- Monster Cookies
Monster Cookies’ high beta-caryophyllene content, which reduces inflammation and sensory pain, gives them analgesic qualities. Monster Cookies also contain limonene, humulene, and linalool, among other terpenes.
- Cannatonic
Cannatonic is primarily a CBD strain that helps people who need it most by delivering the anti-inflammatory effects of the cannabinoid. Cannatonic’s high CBD content is ideal for reducing the symptoms of severe anxiety, which is another issue that many Crohn’s patients face. The main terpenes in cannaponic plants are myrcene, pinene, limonene, and caryophyllene.
You should first obtain a Barboursville medical marijuana card online if you live in Barbousville and plan to use marijuana to treat Chron’s disease. This will allow you to legally access medical marijuana in your state. Our West Virginia MMJ Card Doctor virtual clinic makes it simple to apply for your card online.
