If you suffer from Crohn's disease and are looking for a medication that can help you without serious side effects, I'm here to help. My name is David Reich, and for many years, I've been researching and advising people on CBD and cannabis. In this article, I want to share my knowledge and experience to help people with Crohn's disease better understand the potential benefits of CBD.
Research on Crohn's disease and CBD is still in its early stages, but there are already some studies suggesting a positive effect of CBD on Crohn's disease. Here, you'll learn how CBD might help with Crohn's disease, what studies have found, and what you should consider when using it.
What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the digestive tract, most commonly the last section of the small intestine and the colon. The disease causes abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and can lead to malnutrition.
The inflammation caused by Crohn's disease often extends deep into the layers of the intestinal tissue. The disease can be painful and debilitating for those affected, sometimes even leading to life-threatening complications.
Symptoms of Crohn's disease include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Blood in the stool
- Mouth sores
- Lack of appetite and weight loss
- Pain or discharge near or around the anus due to inflammation or fistula
Treatment Options
There is currently no cure for Crohn's disease, but there are treatment options to manage the disease and improve quality of life. Conventional treatment options include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Immunosuppressants
- Antibiotics
- Anti-diarrheal drugs and pain relievers
- Surgical intervention
Often, multiple medications are combined, requiring patients to take many drugs. These medications can have strong side effects and need close monitoring by a doctor. Common side effects include:
- Weakening of the immune system
- Inflammation of the liver
- Nausea and vomiting
Due to the numerous side effects and the variety of medications that many patients have to take, Cannabidiol (CBD) is becoming an increasingly popular topic. CBD is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant that has potential health benefits and minimal side effects. There is a growing body of studies investigating the potential of natural remedies like CBD. For example, there is evidence that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that could be helpful in the treatment of Crohn's disease. I will discuss the role of CBD in Crohn's disease in more detail later in this article.
How Does CBD Work for Crohn's Disease?
CBD can have a positive effect on various symptoms and diseases by acting on the body's endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for regulating physical processes such as pain perception, mood, sleep, and appetite.
CBD helps bring these processes into balance and has the potential to relieve pain, promote sleep and appetite, and elevate mood. Additionally, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties.
These characteristics and mechanisms of action make CBD a promising option for Crohn's disease patients. A scientific study [1] demonstrated that a combination of CBD and THC significantly reduced inflammation in the intestines of affected individuals. The participants were given a combination of 15% CBD and 4% THC in capsule form. After two months, 65% of the participants reported a complete regression of disease symptoms. However, since the study was conducted with only 46 individuals, extensive long-term studies are needed to confirm these initial results.
The knowledge about CBD and Crohn's disease is still limited and requires further scientific research. However, initial research findings give hope to patients. Since CBD has few side effects, interested individuals can try CBD as a supplement without taking on significant risks.
Experiences of Crohn's Disease Patients with CBD
Many people with Crohn's disease have tried CBD and reported positive experiences. One such experience was shared on the Trustpilot website, where a parent mentioned that their son, who suffers from Crohn's disease, experienced significant improvement since taking CBD drops. The diarrhea has decreased significantly, and it seems that CBD relaxes him, reducing the stress that damages his intestines and causes the diarrhea. They found that the right dosage of CBD was crucial for their son, and a lower dosage was more effective than a higher one. You can read the full review here (German).
Scientific Studies
It is important to note that research on CBD and Crohn's disease is still in its early stages, and further studies are needed to determine the exact effects and optimal dosage. It is also important to know that CBD may not be effective for everyone, and it is always best to consult with a doctor before starting any new treatment.
The following two studies provide hope for affected individuals. However, they do not focus solely on CBD but examine cannabis as a whole:
- In a study [3] conducted in 2013, participants who did not respond to conventional treatments were able to significantly reduce their symptoms by using cannabis.
- Another study [4] showed that a cannabis therapy achieved a significant improvement in the overall quality of life of participants after three months of use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CBD has the potential to be an effective natural treatment for Crohn's disease. It has anti-inflammatory properties that may contribute to symptom relief, and there are both anecdotal reports from users and scientific studies supporting its effectiveness. However, it should be noted that research is still in the early stages, and further studies are needed to determine the exact effects and optimal dosage. It is also important to know that CBD may not work for everyone, and it is always best to consult with a doctor before starting any new treatment.
If you have any questions about CBD and Crohn's disease or would like more information, please don't hesitate to contact me. I hope this article has provided you with a useful overview of the potential of CBD in treating Crohn's disease and helps you make informed decisions about your health.
Sources
- [1] Naftali T, et al. Cannabis induces clinical response but no endoscopic response in Crohn's disease patients., full text available here, Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Volume 15, Issue 11, November 2021, Pages 1799–1806
- [2] WHO: CANNABIDIOL (CBD). Critical Review Report, full text available here, 2018
- [3] Naftali, Timna et al. Cannabis Induces a Clinical Response in Patients With Crohn's Disease: A Prospective Placebo-Controlled Study, full text available here, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2013
- [4] Lahat A, Lang A, Ben-Horin S: Impact of Cannabis Treatment on the Quality of Life, Weight and Clinical Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Pilot Prospective Study., full text available here, Digestion 2012