Medical marijuana for Crohn’s Disease: What to know

The cannabis plant is an impressive one, to say the least. For decades now, scientists have been attempting to understand the full scope of the marijuana plant’s benefits and how it reacts within the body. As we’re still learning more and more about it, we’re discovering just how advantageous cannabis may be for those who have Crohn’s. While the science surrounding medical marijuana and Crohn’s disease is still relatively new, it’s providing some serious promise.

Today, we’re taking a deep dive into medical marijuana for Crohn’s disease and whether or not this is a viable option for managing symptoms. Let’s take a look.

The Relationship Between Marijuana and Crohn’s

The relationship between marijuana and Crohn’s is one that researchers have started looking into only recently. It’s essential to keep in mind that scientists didn’t even discover the body’s endocannabinoid system itself until the 90s. Thus, we had no idea that cannabinoid receptors in the colon and digestive tract even existed! Now that we’ve seen this firsthand, however, the science is starting to show.

Over the years, the cannabis community has come to discover marijuana’s anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics prove beneficial for various health conditions with varying severities. Depending on how the cannabis is consumed or applied, the cannabinoids inside will make their way throughout the body. Here, it begins working in the areas that need it most. For those with Crohn’s disease, this is primarily in the digestive tract.

As these cannabinoids travel throughout the body’s digestive tract, their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties work to reduce inflammation and lower levels of pain. With this, it’s essential to keep in mind that in no way is cannabis treating this disease; instead, for many, it makes the symptoms a whole lot more manageable.

Crohn’s disease and cannabis can be a tricky relationship because cannabinoids act differently for every person. And so do cannabis products! Some products and methodologies will produce much better, more pain-relieving results than others, but it all depends on you. 

The Benefits of Using Medical Marijuana for Crohn’s Disease

Now that you know how marijuana and Crohn’s disease are correlated, let’s discuss the potential benefits. Again, these are not treatment methods. But, there is still promising therapeutic value that cannabis can bring for those who have Crohn’s disease.

Pain Relief

As we mentioned above, cannabis’s anti-inflammatory properties can do wonders for Crohn’s disease symptoms. Because the disease is based around the digestive tract’s internal inflammation, this gives cannabis’ characteristics an excellent opportunity to work their magic.

Cannabinoids like CBD and THC, especially when combined, work to reduce inflammation in areas that need it. These cannabinoids act as cell signalers. They let the body know when one location is experiencing too much pain, inflammation, or an imbalance of any kind. The same thing happens for those with Crohn’s. As marijuana’s compounds target these inflamed areas, they work alongside the body to produce the proper chemicals needed to lower inflammation and manipulate pain perception.

So, for those who find themselves plagued by abdominal pain due to Crohn’s, the effects of cannabis may be worth looking into. After all, there’s a reason why medical marijuana for Crohn’s disease is accepted in so many states across the US — the benefits are clear.

Elevate also offers a list of great strains to use for pain relief. Check it out here.

Cramps, Fissures

Along with all over digestive pains, Crohn’s disease can, unfortunately, bring bouts of painful cramps and anal fissures, as well. These are not only highly uncomfortable, but they’re challenging to manage, too. Thankfully, cannabinoids like CBD might be able to help with these.

While the evidence is still scarce, many everyday people have found relief from their stomach cramps and even anal fissures through products like cannabis suppositories. Though we will talk more about CBD for Crohn’s disease in a bit, these CBD-packed products provide profound relief and relaxation directly to the source of the problem. This isn’t something that many therapies can claim, but methodologies like CBD suppositories show clear potential.

Nausea, Vomiting

Unfortunately, for some, the pains of Crohn’s don’t stop at just cramps and inflammation. Others also experience persistent nausea and vomiting, making everyday life so much more complicated than it needs to be. But, if you couldn’t tell already, that’s where marijuana for Crohn’s disease comes into play.

Cannabis’s cannabinoids like CBD demonstrate apparent anti-nausea properties that have proven highly effective for those with serious digestive troubles. From chemotherapy treatments to painful menstruation, people with all sorts of medical complications have seen nausea relief through cannabis. This isn’t any different or Crohn’s, either.

When consumed orally, cannabis’ anti-nausea properties work throughout the digestive tract to provide comfort and internal regulation. One of the primary cannabinoid receptors that CBD locks onto works to directly suppress vomiting. This allows the body to learn better, more healthy digestion and regulation.

Keeping all of these benefits in mind, turning to medical marijuana for Crohn’s disease seems like a viable option for managing symptoms and side effects. But, how do you use marijuana for Crohn’s?

How to Use Medical Marijuana for Crohn’s Disease

Thankfully, using medical marijuana for Crohn’s disease is practically effortless. The cannabis plant is an extremely versatile one, with methodologies that work well for so many types of people. If you don’t have any issue smoking, inhaling marijuana flower can be a great way to get effects quickly and all throughout the body. However, this may not target your Crohn’s pains directly as well as some other methodologies.

Recently, CBD for Crohn’s has gained popularity, with many people turning to top-shelf CBD oils to help manage the pains of their Crohn’s disease. CBD oils, especially when consumed sublingually, produce fast, potent effects in the body. The benefits of oils tend to stay present a bit longer than through inhalation. This creating a consumption method that’s ideal for those who need a little extra support throughout the day.

Other CBD products like topicals are also rapidly gaining traction for those who have Crohn’s. While these products don’t cross the blood-brain barrier, they penetrate deep into the skin and muscle tissue to bring deep-seated pain relief in more concentrated areas. This can do wonders for the intense cramping that Crohn’s often brings. Cannabis topicals like these are great for tackling residual aches and pains that this inflammatory disease tends to get.

Marijuana for Crohn’s disease is becoming such an attractive option for those suffering, that many brands have started crafted products like CBD or THC suppositories, too. That’s right: you apply these medicated cones rectally and let the cannabinoids absorb directly into that area. We know, we know: it’s not the most conventional method of consuming cannabis. But, people have found incredible relief through this concentrated yet gentle methodology. With this, it’s clear that medical marijuana for Crohn’s disease may be a great, all-natural therapy for anyone struggling with these symptoms.

Finding Relief Through Medical Cannabis for Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease and marijuana is still a relatively new concept in the cannabis medicine sphere. However, its potential to bring relief is more than appealing for so many. That’s why, here at Elevate Holistics, we are dedicated to helping all of our customers get just what they need from their medical cannabis. We specialize in assisting future patients to meet with qualified physicians to discuss their medical conditions and how they can obtain a medical marijuana card. Even if you aren’t sure you can get your MMJ card for Crohn’s disease, Elevate’s team of cannabis experts will help you out every step of the way.

So, the next time you find yourself struggling with your Crohn’s symptoms, try to keep cannabis in mind. Every person is different, but you never know what kind of relief you may get when using medical marijuana for Crohn’s disease.

featured photo by Polina Zimmerman