Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Preliminary research, including a study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, suggests that cannabis may improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

One notable study examining the effects of medicinal cannabis in treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a randomized controlled trial published in the journal "Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology" in 2013.

This study investigated the efficacy of smoked cannabis in patients with Crohn's disease, a form of IBD characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Here are some key findings from the study:

Reduction in Disease Activity

The study found that treatment with smoked cannabis resulted in a significant reduction in Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) scores compared to placebo. Patients who received smoked cannabis experienced improvements in symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and reduced appetite.

Clinical Remission

A higher proportion of patients treated with smoked cannabis achieved clinical remission, defined as a CDAI score of less than 150, compared to those receiving placebo. However, the difference in clinical remission rates between the two groups was not statistically significant.

Improvement in Quality of Life

Patients treated with smoked cannabis reported improvements in their overall quality of life, including physical and social functioning, compared to placebo. However, the study did not find a significant difference in quality of life scores between the two groups.

Safety and Tolerability

Smoked cannabis was generally well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported during the study period. Common adverse effects included dizziness, dry mouth, and increased appetite, which are consistent with the known side effects of cannabis use.