Medical marijuana has been shown to alleviate common symptoms of Crohn’s Disease and improve quality of life.
If you or a loved one suffer from Crohn’s Disease, you’re all too familiar with the symptoms — the abdominal pain, nausea, the lack of appetite. While Crohn’s affects everyone differently, many patients find themselves missing days of work or school, skipping out on beloved activities, and dealing with unexpected, ill-timed bouts of sickness or exhaustion.
At times debilitating, at other times milder, the chronic symptoms of Crohn’s Disease can be difficult to treat. Figuring out the best way to manage your Crohn’s Disease can be a complicated, stressful process, and many traditional treatment options can themselves come with adverse and even dangerous side effects. The good news, however, is that medical marijuana offers patients a new treatment option to relieve pain, reduce nausea, and combat lack of appetite.
The Promising Results for Crohn’s Disease
In multiple studies, medical marijuana has been shown to have therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects in Crohn’s patients. Patients in these studies were found to experience relief from abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and poor appetite. They reported that using cannabis improved their quality of life, sleep, stress level, and sense of control over the disease.
Critically, they reported no significant side effects during the trial period. Even patients whose disease is unresponsive to other forms of treatment have experienced significant symptom reduction in clinical medical marijuana studies.
The Future Looks Bright
With the documented success of medical marijuana in alleviating the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease, researchers have begun to investigate whether cannabis can induce remission or a lack of symptoms. Early trials have shown promising results; in one small study, 45% of patients given cannabis achieved complete remission during the trial (compared to 10% of the placebo group). While additional research is needed, these results represent exciting possibilities for people living with Crohn’s.
At Lakewood Medical Clinic, we know that a Crohn’s Disease diagnosis can be life-changing, but that the right treatment plan can make a world of difference. Reach out to us to schedule a consultation and find out how medical marijuana can help to alleviate your pain, nausea, and lack of appetite. We’re here to work with you to relieve your symptoms so that you can focus less on Crohn’s and more on what you love best.
