Cannabis and CBD Show Promise for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
A new NIH-backed study suggests that marijuana and CBD oil may be effective alternatives or complementary therapies for people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Conducted by researchers at Case Western Reserve University, the survey found that more than half of IBD patients experienced notable symptom relief from using cannabis or CBD.
Patients Report Relief from Pain, Anxiety, and Nausea
The cross-sectional survey included 139 participants — 106 of whom were diagnosed with IBD. Among those who had tried cannabis, 54% reported using it for medical reasons, while 41% had used CBD oil. The self-reported benefits included relief from:
- Abdominal pain
- General discomfort
- Stress and anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea and vomiting
Key findings include:
- 63% of cannabis users said it was “somewhat,” “very,” or “extremely” beneficial.
- 57% of CBD users shared similar views.
- 19.4% of IBD patients reduced opioid use thanks to cannabis or CBD.
- 14.5% reported disease remission associated with use of these substances.
Patients View Cannabis as a Legitimate Medical Option
Interestingly, the study revealed that many patients perceive cannabis and CBD as comparable in effectiveness to prescription medications like corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. That belief reflects growing confidence in plant-based medicine as part of a holistic approach to IBD treatment.
However, usage trends show that patients typically rely on cannabis and CBD for short-term symptom relief rather than long-term disease control:
- 37% used marijuana during symptom flare-ups,
- 26% used CBD in similar scenarios.
Only 23% (marijuana) and 18% (CBD) reported using them as part of a long-term treatment plan.
Why Do Patients Turn to Cannabis?
For many IBD sufferers, cannabis and CBD offer more than just physical relief — they also represent hope and controlin managing a chronic illness. These substances are often used when conventional medications fall short or bring unwanted side effects. Patients see cannabis not as a cure-all, but as a valuable part of their symptom management toolkit.
A Call for More Research
While the findings are based on patient perceptions and not clinical trials, the study highlights a strong and growing belief in the therapeutic potential of cannabis and CBD oil. As more patients seek alternatives to opioids and steroids, researchers call for deeper clinical studies to validate and better understand these real-world results.
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