Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health
Marijuana is derived from seeds, flowers, leaves and stem of the plant Cannabis sativa. In its resin form, hashish is the commonest drug of abuse across the world. By the way, this article is merely informational. Do not do anything without talking to physician. Follow all laws!
Is there biological basis for cannabis use in digestive diseases?
Our body has its own indigenous cannabis like chemicals in the nervous system along with binding sites so they may have biological actions. Various biochemical and their binding sites for cannabis/marijuana ingredients are collectively known as the “endocannabinoid system”.
This system is present not just in nervous system but also in our gut as part of the intestine’s own nervous system call enteric nervous system. As such, externally given cannabis or marijuana can affect the gut and potentially have positive benefits.
Biological effects of indigenous cannabis-like chemicals called cannabinoids
- Reduce pain
- Reduce movements of gut during periods of inflammation
- Reduce intestinal or leaky gut
- Increase appetite
- Decrease nausea and vomiting
- Block inflammation
- Block unrestrained growth and prevent cancer
Effects of cannabis on nausea and vomiting
- Although available drugs can effectively reduce vomiting, they frequently do not affect the nausea itself. Cannabis has the advantage of affecting both the nausea and vomiting especially when induced by cancer chemotherapy.
- Comparative studies show that medicinal cannabinoids are at least equal or superior to conventional drugs. A meta-analysis done by Dr. Machado Rocha demonstrate that therapeutic cannabis is better than conventional drugs. Not surprisingly, patients preferred cannabis to other medications. However, there is potential for toxicity.
- Effect of smoking marijuana on nausea/vomiting has not been well studied. Limited evidence indicates that it is effective. The efficacy of smoked marijuana appears to be equal to or less than medicinal cannabinoids.
- Dronabinol is FDA approved for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. However, it should not be used as a first line therapy.
Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health
Cannabinoid-induced hyperemesis syndrome
- Occurs after prolonged marijuana use (daily smoking for more than 5 years)
- More among males
- Repeated vomiting frequent hot bath
Treatment of Cannabinoid-induced hyperemesis syndrome
- Hydration
- Sedatives
- Anti-emetics like Zofran
- Pain control using non-narcotic drugs
- Antidepressants over long term
- Long term treatment includes gradually stopping marijuana use, anti-anxiety drugs, and relaxation therapy.
Practical implications of cannabis use
Not used as first line drug
Potential for hyperemesis syndrome
Some regard the efficacy to be less than pharmaceutical anti-emetic agents.
This may occur in the setting of AIDS and cancer etc.
Effects of cannabis/marijuana:
- Stimulates appetite
- Increases food intake
- Patients with HIV or cancer show increased food intake and weight gain. Use of medicinal cannabis (dronabinol) increases food intake greater than smoking marijuana.
Role of marijuana/cannabis in Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- The endocannabinoid system is abnormal in patients with IBS. Marijuana has effects on gut movements as well as pain system. While theoretically possible, Smoking marijuana has not been studied.
- Medicinal cannabis as dronabinol does favorably affect colon in IBS patients with diarrhea or alternating constipation and diarrhea.
- However, there is not much favorable clinical data and limited number of studies have shown variable results. Overall, its use in IBS does not appear to be promising at this point.
Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health
Role of marijuana/cannabis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- IBD includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
- Marijuana smoking is widely prevalent among patients with IBD.
- Administration of 115 mg of THC twice a day which is equivalent to smoking marijuana every day heals Crohn’s disease as evident on Crohn’s disease activity index, reduces use of corticosteroid medications and improves sleep and appetite. However the effect is short-lived and not sustained.
- On the other hand, limited literature suggests increased risk for surgery among marijuana users.
Role of marijuana in Hepatitis C
While smoking marijuana is associated with some progression of disease, it’s use also helps against side-effects induced by hepatitis C therapies. The latter however may not be consequential since the newer hepatitis C treatments are relatively less toxic, there is much less need for strategies to overcome si8de-effects. Given the overall clinical situation, marijuana use should not currently be routinely undertaken in the context of hepatitis C.
Disclaimer: This post is merely for information only and not meant as an endorsement or rejection of such forms of therapies.
