Crohn’s disease affects over three million people in America. It is a chronic condition that can develop at any age, usually during adolescence or early adulthood. So, can medical marijuana help relieve Crohn’s disease symptoms? Read on for all you need to know.
MMJ For Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease can be painful and debilitating. There is no known cure, but medical marijuana is being used to treat the symptoms of Crohn’s with a lot of reported success.
What Is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the small and/or large intestines and/or bowels. Crohn’s can cause a person to lose weight, become malnourished, and experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.
What Are The Symptoms Of Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease can range from mild to severe. It lasts for an indefinite duration of time and is often a lifelong condition. It usually develops gradually and can go into remission for periods of time.
The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are:
- Abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Blood in stool
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Mouth sores
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Pain or drainage around the anus
- Inflamed skin, eyes, or joints
- Inflamed liver or bile ducts
- Kidney stones
- Iron deficiency
- Delayed growth in children
What Are The Causes Of Crohn’s Disease?
In patients with Crohn’s disease, the body mistakes harmless bacteria for harmful foreign invaders, which results in the immune system responding with chronic inflammation. This in turn leads to ulceration and intestinal wall damage.
The causes of Crohn’s disease are not yet fully known, but research suggests that genetic and environmental factors contribute to its onset.
What Are The Treatments For Crohn’s Disease?
There is no known cure for Crohn’s disease. However, there are several treatments that help to alleviate its symptoms. These include:
- Medicines that reduce immune system response, such as steroids and immunomodulators.
- Medicines that help to control inflammation, such as aminosalicylates.
- Biologic therapy medicines that neutralize proteins made by the immune system, which decreases inflammation.
- Bowel rest (this involves fasting or reducing food and liquid intake).
- Surgery.
- Medical marijuana.
Can Medical Marijuana Help Relieve Crohn’s Disease Symptoms?
Studies have shown that medical marijuana can ease the symptoms of Crohn’s disease and lead to improvements in the quality of life of Crohn’s sufferers. However, no evidence was found to suggest that MMJ treatment can result in clinical remission.
How Does MMJ Help Treat Crohn’s Disease?
Medical marijuana helps to treat Crohn’s disease by relieving symptoms. MMJ can help to reduce chronic pain and nausea, increase mood, decrease stress response, and aid sleep.
Does CBD Help Crohn’s Disease?
CBD can improve the symptoms of Crohn’s by easing pain and increasing relaxation, and there is some evidence to suggest that cannabinoids can help to reduce inflammation. However, no studies have shown that CBD reduces the inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease.
How Much CBD Should You Take To Treat Crohn’s Disease?
It is always wise to treat with the smallest effective dose of medical marijuana or CBD. Start to treat your Crohn’s with a small dose of CBD or MMJ and slowly increase the dose if necessary as time passes.
What Is The Best Strain For Treating Crohn’s Disease?
The following MMJ strains have potent pain relief effects and are reported to be especially effective at treating Crohn’s disease symptoms:
- Medicine Man (hybrid strain)
- Golden Pineapple (hybrid strain)
- Chemo Marijuana (Indica strain)
- Jean Guy (Sativa strain)
Is It Better To Consume Edibles Rather Than Smoke When Treating Crohn’s Disease?
Both MMJ edibles and smoking marijuana can be effective in treating Crohn’s symptoms. Edibles reduce the risk that a person will get smoking-related diseases such as emphysema and cancer. However, when a Crohn’s sufferer is engaging in bowel rest treatment, smoking can be a better option than edibles.
How Can You Get An MMJ Card For Crohn’s Disease Treatment?
To get a medical marijuana card for Crohn’s disease, visit the MMJRecs online clinic and have a consultation with an MMJ doctor in your state. Once the doctor has verified your suitability for MMJ treatment, they will immediately email you an MMJ physician certification form.
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