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Cannabis Prescription for Crohn’s Disease

A cannabis prescription for Crohn’s disease may offer relief from abdominal pain, inflammation, and digestive discomfort. Cannabis may help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, improving quality of life for those with Crohn’s. Additionally, it can alleviate nausea and stimulate appetite, which is beneficial for patients who struggle with maintaining a balanced diet due to their condition.

The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Crohn’s disease causes inflammation in specific areas of the digestive system. Alongside inflammation, there are a number of other symptoms that can show that you have Crohn’s disease, such as:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Excruciating cramps
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss

Extra intestinal manifestations are Crohn’s disease signs and symptoms that occasionally appear beyond the gastrointestinal tract. The patient might not be aware that these symptoms are indicative of Crohn’s disease as a result. These symptoms might not be immediately linked to the gut because they are neither felt nor visible there. Both persistent symptoms and recurrent Crohn’s disease flare-ups, which frequently occur without prior notice or clear reason, are conceivable.

Crohn’s Disease: What is it?

Among its numerous possible symptoms, Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel illness, can result in severe stomach discomfort and cramping by inflaming certain digestive tract tissues. The gastrointestinal system might be affected anywhere by the inflammation. But the ileum, or ileal end of the small bowel, is the most typical site. Ileitis is the medical term for the inflammation of this intestine segment.

Crohn’s disease has no known cure; however, therapy can lessen symptoms enough that daily living can resume regularly and the risk of complications is decreased. A customised treatment regimen and/or surgery can help afflicted people live symptom-free from Crohn’s disease for a very long time. Unfortunately, even after undergoing the most intensive therapy, some patients will still endure on-going illness-related symptoms and effects.

Crohn’s disease can damage the intestines, which may necessitate surgery, as well as result in secondary ailments including colon cancer, brittle bones, or a shortage of iron because the body has trouble absorbing nutrients from meals.

What Causes Crohn’s disease?

At this moment in time, there is no recognised cause for Crohn’s disease. However, it is believed that there are a number of factors that could lead to the disease, such as:

  • Your genes—if a close relative has them, you’re more likely to have them.
  • An immune system issue that leads the body’s fight against infection to target the digestive system
  • Smoking
  • A previous stomach virus
  • Or having an aberrant balance of intestinal bacteria

Crohn’s disease normally develops between the ages of 15 and 40; however, incidence rates also increase between the ages of 50 and 60.

Smokers are more than twice as likely to develop Crohn’s disease; hence, it is thought that smoking exacerbates the symptoms of the condition. Although associations between specific foods and Crohn’s disease have been suggested, these are mostly unsupported or have shaky ties.

Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease

Typical childhood or early adulthood symptoms include:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach pains and discomfort
  • Weariness and blood in the stools
  • Loss of weight
  • Anal symptoms (such as skin tags, abscesses, scars, and fistulae)

Crohn’s disease, which often has comparable symptoms in both sexes, affects men and women equally frequently in Western countries. The frequency of Crohn’s disease is higher among men in Asian groups. Symptoms could be on-going or sporadic, happening once a week or once a month. Flare-ups are what occur when active inflammation returns in a person.

Crohn’s disease can sometimes present with extraintestinal symptoms. These signs may appear prior to the appearance of gastrointestinal problems. Symptoms beyond the gastrointestinal tract include:

  • Less than five of the big joints (ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, and shoulders) are affected by arthritis symptoms.
  • Lumps beneath the skin of the arms or legs that are painful and/or inflamed and range in size from one to five cm
  • Oral sores
  • Red eyes that may or may not be uncomfortable, itchy, or burning
  • Osteoporosis (weakening of the bones as a result of a body’s inability to absorb nutrients from meals)

Are There Different Types of Crohn’s disease?

The location of the inflammation in the gastrointestinal system is referred to by a variety of terms rather than multiple forms of Crohn’s disease, of which there are none.

These are:

  • The stomach and the beginning of the small intestine are both affected by gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease.
  • Inflammation of the small intestine’s terminal segment is known as ileitis.
  • Ileocolitis is an inflammation of the small and large intestines’ ends.
  • Jejunoileitis is an inflammation of the small intestine’s middle and end.

How is Crohn’s Disease Diagnosed?

Crohn’s disease can be challenging to identify in certain people due to symptoms that are similar to those of other bowel diseases.

As a result, unless an emergency admission is necessary, a GP will often carry out a comprehensive evaluation during which they will inquire about:

  • Any symptoms you are suffering from
  • Your Diet
  • Recent international travel that might have exposed you to an illness
  • Any medication you are currently taking
  • Any ancestors with the condition

Additionally, the doctor may feel and inspect the stomach during the physical examination and/or draw blood. A stool sample will often be requested from you by the majority of GPs. This sample may be used to screen for infections and inflammation.

You should consult a gastroenterologist for diagnostic confirmation if your general practitioner believes you may have Crohn’s disease. These tests might consist of:

  • A colonoscopy, in which the rectum is entered and a camera attached to the end of a thin, flexible tube, is used to search for outward indications of Crohn’s disease, such as inflammation or ulcerations.
  • A biopsy in which a tiny portion of the intestine is taken and inspected for indications of Crohn’s disease.
  • A doctor may examine the gut outside during an MRI or CT scan. A barium sulphate beverage may need to be consumed 60 to 90 minutes before the scan in order to make the intestines show up clearly.

Crohn’s Disease Treatment

Any treatment you receive for Crohn’s disease has the aim of diminishing inflammatory flare-ups as well as the signs and symptoms. There are also a number of medications available, even holistic approaches such as medical marijuana. Surgery is a different option if none of them work.

Steroids are routinely given to Crohn’s disease patients in the early stages of the illness in an effort to induce remission and reduce inflammation. Because of the body’s compromised immune system, they may have adverse consequences such as:

  • Weight gain
  • Indigestion
  • Disturbed sleep
  • and a higher risk of infection.

Steroid use can also impede a child’s development.

The majority of patients receive maintenance therapy, which sporadically includes extra anti-inflammatory medications, commonly known as steroid-sparing medications. There are a few different therapeutic options depending on the illness’s severity and whether it is resistant to initial medications. Some individuals could need more potent immunosuppressive treatments, often known as biological therapy. Gastroenterologists use these medications to treat inflammation, just like steroids and other immunosuppressants do. They concentrate on a certain portion of the immune system.

When Crohn’s disease is identified, a person’s lifestyle must alter. One of the most significant adjustments that smokers may make is quitting. However, some individuals might need to avoid specific foods owing to inflammation and scarring in different parts of the stomach. There are presently no diets that have been authorised to help lower the inflammation brought on by Crohn’s disease. To decrease the risk of vitamin and mineral shortages, dietary changes should preferably be supported by a trained practitioner, such as a nutritionist.

Inflammation regions that are resistant to the best medical therapy or consequences, such as intestinal constriction or the emergence of fistulas, may necessitate surgical treatment as an emergency or on an elective basis. Surgery is not always curative for those with Crohn’s disease since it can affect any area of the digestive system.

MARUCANNA will talk to you about a Crohn’s disease treatment strategy that works for you and the specialist. This might be reviewed later to make sure the best medical cannabis plan is in place for the specific person.

Medical Cannabis for Crohn’s Disease

Little is known about how Crohn’s disease-related discomfort is relieved by medical cannabis. But since it became legal in 2018, interest in medicinal cannabis has risen. If early therapies for Crohn’s disease haven’t been able to considerably lessen any symptoms you’re suffering from, medicinal cannabis could be a useful substitute.

Quick and Private Cannabis Assessment at MARUCANNA

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Frequently Asked Questions About Crohns Disease

Can I get pregnant if I have Crohn's disease?

Women with well-controlled Crohn’s disease tend to have comparable fertility rates and birth outcomes as women without the condition. Premature delivery (before 37 weeks) and low-birth-weight babies have been linked in several studies. Women with active Crohn’s disease are thought to be more vulnerable to these unfavourable effects.

If you are a woman with Crohn’s disease, we urge that you consult with your provider before trying to conceive. Your doctor may advise you to try to get your Crohn’s disease under control before attempting to conceive. We also advise pregnant women with Crohn’s disease to see a high-risk obstetrician.

The likelihood of a Crohn’s disease flare during pregnancy is the same as it is in the general population. The therapy for Crohn’s disease in pregnant women is largely the same as for non-pregnant women. It is also critical to continue your Crohn’s disease treatments during your pregnancy. You should speak with your doctor about this in great detail. Methotrexate, thalidomide, and some antibiotics are notable exceptions that must be discontinued prior to pregnancy since they might cause birth abnormalities.

The manner of delivery (vaginal versus C-section) is usually up to you and your physician. A gastroenterologist will only recommend a C-section over a vaginal birth in circumstances of active perianal illness.

What should I stay away from if I have Crohn's disease?

Smoking
Has been demonstrated to raise the risk of Crohn’s disease and to aggravate the illness’s progression. Smokers may be less receptive to some therapies and are more likely to have a Crohn’s disease relapse after surgery. Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to keep your illness from deteriorating.

NSAIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 
NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, have been linked to IBD flares in roughly 25% of patients, according to research. These flares often occur within one week of beginning regular drug use. Aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) appear to be safe. Celebrex (celecoxib) is a cox-2 inhibitor, a kind of NSAID that looks to be safe. All of these drugs should be discussed with your doctor.

How serious is Crohn's disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the digestive tract, causing symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. It can lead to serious complications like bowel obstructions, fistulas, abscesses, and even an increased risk of colon cancer.

Additionally, the impact of Crohn’s disease extends beyond physical symptoms, often significantly affecting patients’ quality of life due to its unpredictable nature, the need for lifelong management, and the potential for social stigma and psychological distress.

While treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce inflammation, there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, emphasising the seriousness of this condition and the importance of ongoing medical care and support.

What is the life expectancy of someone with Crohn's disease?

The life expectancy of individuals with Crohn’s disease can vary widely depending on factors such as disease severity, complications, response to treatment, and overall health.

While Crohn’s disease itself typically does not directly reduce life expectancy, complications arising from the condition, such as severe inflammation, malnutrition, or complications from medications, can impact longevity.

With proper medical management, including medications to control inflammation, surgical interventions when necessary, and lifestyle modifications, many individuals with Crohn’s disease can lead fulfilling lives with a near-normal life expectancy.

However, close monitoring by healthcare professionals and adherence to treatment regimens are crucial to managing the condition effectively and minimising the risk of complications that could affect longevity.

Can I live a normal life with Crohns?

Yes, many individuals with Crohn’s disease can lead normal lives with appropriate management and support. While living with Crohn’s may involve some challenges, such as managing symptoms, adhering to treatment plans, and making lifestyle adjustments, it’s possible to achieve a good quality of life.

Treatment options, including medication, such as medical cannabis, dietary changes, and sometimes surgery, can help control symptoms and reduce inflammation, allowing individuals to participate in daily activities, pursue careers, and maintain relationships.

Additionally, support from healthcare providers, as well as counselling or support groups, can provide valuable assistance in coping with the physical and emotional aspects of life with Crohn’s.

Can you take CBD with Crohns?

Yes, you can take CBD with Crohn’s disease, but it’s essential to consult your healthcare provider first. CBD (cannabidiol) may help alleviate some symptoms associated with Crohn’s, such as pain and inflammation. However, because Crohn’s disease and its treatments can vary greatly from person to person, a healthcare professional can offer personalised advice and ensure that CBD won’t interfere with any medications you’re taking or exacerbate your condition.

Does cannabis help Crohn's disease?

Cannabis may help alleviate some symptoms of Crohn’s disease, such as abdominal pain, inflammation, and loss of appetite. Studies suggest that cannabinoids, particularly CBD, could have anti-inflammatory effects and help reduce the severity of symptoms. However, while some patients report relief, there is no definitive evidence that cannabis can treat or cure Crohn’s disease. More research is needed to understand its full impact, and it should only be used under medical supervision.

Can CBD Be Used for Crohn's Disease?

Yes, CBD may be used as a complementary option for managing symptoms of Crohn’s disease, though it is not a cure. Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterised by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Some research suggests that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce symptoms like pain, diarrhoea, and fatigue that are common in Crohn’s. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a role in regulating inflammation and immune responses, potentially offering relief to those with Crohn’s disease. However, while some patients report benefits, more clinical trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness specifically for Crohn’s disease.

Can CBD Reduce Gut Inflammation?

Yes, CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help reduce gut inflammation. Inflammation in the gut is a key factor in conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. By interacting with the ECS, CBD helps regulate immune responses and can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are proteins that contribute to inflammation. This can potentially lead to a reduction in the severity of gut inflammation, making CBD a possible option for managing the inflammatory symptoms associated with IBD.

Does THC help chronic inflammation?

Yes, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can help reduce chronic inflammation for some individuals. By interacting with the endocannabinoid system, particularly CB2 receptors, THC has anti-inflammatory properties that may alleviate inflammation associated with conditions like arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. This can also contribute to pain relief in chronic conditions. However, effects vary, and side effects like drowsiness or anxiety may occur. Consult a healthcare provider to ensure THC is suitable and to determine appropriate dosing.

Is sativa or Indica better for Crohn's disease?

Depending on the patient’s specific needs and the symptoms they are treating, both sativa and indica cannabis strains can offer unique benefits when managing Crohn’s disease symptoms in the UK. A specialist in the UK must oversee access to medical cannabis, tailoring the treatment to each individual’s condition.

Indica strains for Crohn’s disease

  • Benefits: Indica strains are known for their calming, sedative, and pain-relieving properties. For patients with Crohn’s disease, these strains can help relieve abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, and inflammation. Indicas are often preferred for evening or nighttime use due to their sedative effects, which may also aid sleep—an important factor in managing chronic illness.
  • Example: Northern Lights is a popular indica strain that offers significant pain relief and relaxation. Cannabis strains for Crohn’s disease frequently recommend it for managing gastrointestinal discomfort, inflammation, and pain.

Sativa Strains for Crohn’s Disease

  • Benefits: Sativa strains are generally associated with uplifting and energising effects. They may help combat fatigue, increase appetite, and improve mood, which can be beneficial for patients with Crohn’s disease who experience low energy, appetite loss, or depression due to chronic illness. However, we advise caution as some sativas may heighten anxiety or exacerbate symptoms in sensitive individuals.
  • Example: Amnesia Haze is a sativa-dominant strain that may help stimulate appetite and reduce fatigue, although patients should use it carefully and under medical supervision.

Hybrid Strains for Balanced Relief

  • Benefits: Hybrid strains, which combine elements of both indica and sativa, offer balanced relief. For patients with Crohn’s disease, hybrids can help manage multiple symptoms such as pain, inflammation, fatigue, and mood swings without causing excessive sedation.
  • Example: Cannatonic, a balanced hybrid, offers high levels of CBD with moderate THC, helping to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief while maintaining clarity and focus.

What cannabis is best for Crohn's?

A medical professional often recommends cannabis strains with a balanced ratio of CBD to THC for Crohn’s disease, as they may help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. A medical professional should tailor a cannabis prescription for Crohn’s to meet individual symptom relief needs.

Can you get medical cannabis for Crohn's?

Yes, in the UK, it is possible to obtain a cannabis prescription for Crohn’s disease under certain medical guidelines. A specialist can assess if cannabis is suitable based on the severity of symptoms and previous treatment responses.