Does Pot Help With IBS? A Potential Alternative Remedy
Does weed help irritable bowel syndrome? Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects 15% of the American population.
It is characterized by symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits.
Managing the condition can be challenging as it varies significantly among individuals.
As such, there’s been growing interest in natural methods of treating the disease, such as the use of cannabis, also referred to as weed.
In this article, we hope to find out: does weed help irritable bowel syndrome? And finally, discover how you can legally obtain cannabis to help with the condition.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestines. The large intestine or colon is part of your digestive system that’s responsible for getting rid of leftover waste.
Symptoms of IBS include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
The reality of “Does pot help with IBS?” can be determined. That is if it can help with some or all of the above symptoms. More on that later.
The causes of IBS remain unknown; however, it may be attributed to the following:
- Gut-Brain Interactions: Communication challenges between the brain and gut may cause dysmotility or visceral hypersensitivity.
Motility is the function of your GI muscles to contract and move food through the GI tract. In people with IBS, dysmotility occurs whereby the colon muscles may contract, causing cramps and pain.
Visceral hypersensitivity involves extra-sensitive nerves in the GI tract, making you super sensitive to abdominal pain.
- Gut Bacteria: Patients with IBS may have altered bacteria in the GI tract in amounts and types not found in healthy people.
- Food Intolerance: Allergic reactions or sensitivity to different foods may cause IBS.
Some common foods known to elicit allergic reactions include dairy, gluten, and foods/drinks that may make you gassy.
- Stress: Some suggest IBS is the gut’s response to stress. Sometimes, IBS may be labeled as a “nervous” or “anxious” stomach.
There are different kinds of IBS:
- IBS with constipation (IBS-C)
- IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)
- IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)
The condition affects quality of life, as patients may experience chronic discomfort and disruption in daily routines.
Currently, there’s no cure for IBS, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms.
Some common remedies for IBS include:
- Stress management techniques
- Dietary changes
- Antispasmodics
Despite the options, many patients struggle to find adequate relief, opening doors for alternative natural treatments such as medical cannabis.
Does weed help irritable bowel syndrome? Cannabis could be a potential remedy for IBS due to its unique properties in dealing with some of the condition’s symptoms.
The plant is widely accepted for helping with various conditions and providing unique results.
Cannabis medication is available in Utah only for those suffering from qualifying conditions.
Does Weed Help Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Understanding Cannabis
As we try to understand “Does pot help with IBS?” let’s look into cannabis and its components.
Cannabis, commonly known as weed or pot, is known for its potential therapeutic purposes.
It consists of over 100 active compounds consisting of terpenes and cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids are the most abundant, providing unique medicinal properties, while terpenes are aromatic compounds.
The most abundant terpenes include THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, and CBD cannabidiol.
THC is the primary psychoactive component causing the “high” or intoxicating effect of cannabis.
CBD is a non-intoxicating compound known for its potential medical benefits and is the primary compound in medical cannabis products.
Both compounds are believed to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS plays a crucial role in regulating a range of physiological processes, including pain, appetite, mood, and digestion.
The ECS consists of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), endocannabinoids, and enzymes.
Cannabis interacts with the ECS, influencing its functions and offering therapeutic effects.
Does Pot Help with IBS: How to Calm an IBS Flare-Up?
THC and CBD interact with the ECS by binding to cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2.
THC primarily activates CB1 receptors in the central nervous system (CNS). Its action in the CNS can help alleviate gut motility and reduce hypermotility, which is potentially beneficial for IBS patients experiencing diarrhea.
The CB2 receptors are found in immune cells involved in reducing inflammation and modulating immune response.
This activity may help alleviate inflammation that causes IBS.
The cannabinoids also boast analgesic/ pain relieving properties, which can help reduce abdominal pain and discomfort associated with IBS.
Therefore, does pot help with IBS? Cannabis provides various therapeutic properties, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties.
There’s been interesting research on cannabis’s potential in helping treat IBS, showing great promise.
It may help alleviate abdominal pain, inflammation, and motility issues.
Does Pot help with IBS: Research on Medical Cannabis and IBS
Ethan B Russo did the first research on weed and IBS. In a bid to discover if weed helps irritable bowel syndrome, he theorized IBS may be a result of a deficiency in the body’s cannabinoid chemicals.
It is observed that IBS may be a result of fibromyalgia and migraines, health conditions that may involve the endocannabinoid system.
Further research on the subject shows endocannabinoids affect visceral hypersensitivity and gut motility, symptoms of IBS, causing bloat, pain, and feelings of fullness.
Cannabis is an anti-inflammatory, potentially protecting the digestive system from inflammation.
As a result, medical marijuana components such as CBD, helpful in treating pain and inflammation, are used as a remedy for IBS.
IBS is considered one of the treatment-resistant syndromes that may benefit from the activity of the ECS.
In addition, Cannabis compounds may affect opioid and cannabis receptors, providing symptom improvement in IBS.
Marinol is a drug made from delta-9 THC. It is a synthetic form of THC that may benefit patients with IBS-D as it makes the colon function effectively, decreasing the amount of time contents take through the gut.
The drug may also help reduce the large intestine contraction and offer mild pain relief.
Does weed help irritable bowel syndrome? Limited research on the subject doesn’t provide a definitive answer.
However, medical cannabis could be helpful in managing most symptoms associated with IBS.
Get Cannabis for IBS Legally in Utah
In case you are wondering how to feel better about irritable bowel syndrome, You can alleviate some of its symptoms with medical marijuana.
You can legally buy medical marijuana in Utah with a medical marijuana card or MMJ card.
Getting a Medical Marijuana card in Utah is easy with a qualified medical professional or QMP.
Scheduling an appointment with a QMP is one of the most critical steps in acquiring an MMJ card.
For a QMP to approve you for an MMJ card, you must have among the listed qualifying conditions by the Utah Health Department.
Some of the qualifying conditions include:
- Chronic pain
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Epilepsy and Seizures
- Autism
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Persistent Nausea
The list goes on, highlighting more conditions and ailments that may be alleviated via medical cannabis.
IBS doesn’t feature among qualifying conditions, but relatable ailments such as Irritable bowel disease (IBD) are listed, broadening the options.
With your QMP’s recommendation, you can get medical marijuana for the various symptoms of IBS.
Schedule an appointment with green team doctors for more information and an assessment for your MMJ card.
Getting your first medical marijuana card for IBS in Utah is a simple step-by-step process:
1. Book an Appointment with a Green team doctor’s QMP to process your Utah medical marijuana recommendation.
Before the consultation, ensure you meet all qualifications, such as being a resident of Utah.
2. Create a profile by first creating a Utah ID account and then making an application in the electronic verification system (EVS).
3. Review the patient application guide and then start the application process.
4. Once you have submitted your application, the QMP will complete the physician section
5. Make your MMJ card payment, currently 15$ per year, which you can renew yearly for the same price with a QMP’s recommendation.
Does weed help irritable bowel syndrome? Medical Cannabis Side Effects
Even as we get to understand does weed help irritable bowel syndrome and how to buy weed legally, what are the possible side effects of consuming medical marijuana?
Medical marijuana is believed to have little to no adverse effects, even when consumed in high doses.
It is because medical marijuana is made from the hemp plant abundant in CBD, which doesn’t cause intoxicating effects.
Nevertheless, you may experience some side effects, such as:
- Increased heart rate
- Dizziness
- Memory loss
- Slower reaction times
- Panic attacks
However, if you follow the dosage guidelines, you’ll likely not experience the medication’s adverse effects.
Get an MMJ Card with Green Team Doctors Today
Green Team Doctors is a coalition of local physicians with over 300 years of combined experience in medicine.
We are a group of compassionate physicians passionate about using natural remedies like medical marijuana for various conditions.
Our qualified medical professionals are cleared to help you get an MMJ card and access medical cannabis treatment in Utah.
Does weed help irritable bowel syndrome? Schedule an appointment today to find out the many potential benefits of medical cannabis for IBS.
Cannabis Updates, News & Insights 