Why Marijuana can be Helpful in the Treatment of IBD

The form of medical marijuana that an IBD patient takes for their relief is largely determined by their cannabis doctor’s recommendation and state laws.

Even so, there are several forms of cannabis, in line with the various needs and preferences of a patient. For example:

• Bud or flower
• Oil extracts
• Edibles
• Pills or capsules
• Transdermal patches
• Topicals

With gastrointestinal issues such as IBD, food loses its appeal. But, it’s important for patients to have something to eat for their well-being. Marijuana is notorious for inducing munchies, so what better way to increase your appetite? Below are eight of the best strains for increasing appetite:

1. Jack Herer

Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid? Jack Herer is a Sativa dominant hybrid strain with origins from the Haze hybrid, Northern Lights #5, and Shiva skunk.

Effects: Jack Herer acts quickly where users are hit by a headrush leaving them blissful, clearheaded, and creative. At the same time, the user feels deeply calm and relaxed.

In higher doses. The initial tingle spreads down the neck to the limbs further amplifying the sense of relaxation without leaving one immobilized.

Jack Herer is great for facilitating social conversations and creative brainstorming and visualization.

Medical value: Jack Herer’s ability to induce unending munchies makes it one of the best strains for increasing appetite. Additionally, stress, anxiety, fatigue, depression, and pain disappear once Jack Herer kicks in.

Time to use: Jack Herer is a perfect daytime strain that provides energy besides a sense of relaxation.

Bonus Information: Jack Herer is named after the popular cannabis activist and author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes of the same name.

2. Royal Highness strain

Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid? The Royal Highness strain is a Sativa dominant hybrid whose parents are the Dance Hall and Respect strains.

Effects: The Royal Highness strain makes its presence known with a burst of euphoria complemented by a soft body warming buzz.

The cerebral effects of this strain leave the user surprisingly focused and clearheaded with the energy and motivation to take on any tasks that might beckon.

Medical value: It’s best to prepare a banquet because you’ll be famished after a few hits of her Royal Highness. Therefore, a great strain to deal with appetite loss. Moreover, patients struggling with fatigue, anxiety, pain, and stress will benefit greatly from this strain.

Time to use: The Royal Highness strain is a suitable daytime smoke.

Bonus Information: The Royal Highness strain has an almost even ratio of CBD and THC.

3. Purple Kush

Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid? Purple Kush is an Indica strain with the Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani genetics.

Effects: Purple Kush’s psychedelic effects will prompt several trippy instances for the user. However, because of the heavy body high of this Indica, the user will be probably too relaxed to care.

All this happens while the user is tucked in a blanket of euphoria and complete physical relaxation.

Medical value: Purple Kush will make your tummy growl and is perfect for improving appetite besides easing pain, anxiety, muscle spasms, and improving sleep.

Time to use: Purple Kush is one for nighttime enjoyment since the result is a satisfying deep slumber.

Bonus Information: Purple Kush’s psychedelic properties could make the weather channel hilarious.

4. Candyland strain

Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid? The Candyland strain is a Sativa strain with Granddaddy Purple and Bay Platinum Cookies roots.

Effects: The Candyland strain likes to bring out a user’s inner child by sparking giggles throughout. Happiness and a warm feeling in the tummy are the hallmarks of this strain’s manifestation.

The powerful effects on both the mind and body make users feel like they are having an out-of-body experience.

However, Candyland is a powerful strain, and when taken in large doses beginners are bound to experience some paranoia and anxiety.

Medical value: Stress, poor appetite, fatigue, and depression lose their power when the Candyland strain takes over. 

Additionally, the Candyland strain stands out when it comes to providing relief for gastrointestinal issues such as IBD (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) and IBS.

Time to use: Candyland’s stimulating high that motivates and energizes make it best for daytime activities.

Bonus Information: The Candyland strain is great for sparking up conversations and therefore a suitable strain in social settings. Also, users may feel aroused after having a taste of the Candyland strain.

5. Blackberry Kush

Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid? Blackberry Kush is an incredibly potent Indica strain. 

Effects: Blackberry Kush hits the user in stages where one builds upon the other. It starts with an unreal case of the munchies followed by a sense of total relaxation. As its effects continue to escalate users will slowly doze off.

Because of its extreme potency, only a small dose is needed to experience Blackberry Kush.

Medical value: Its heavy body high makes it excellent in dealing with chronic pain and insomnia. Moreover, anxiety, stress, and appetite loss are no longer issues to struggle with. 

Time to use: Blackberry Kush suits nighttime use.

Bonus Information: Like its name, Blackberry Kush tastes like berries. 

6. Blackwater strain

Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid? The Blackwater strain is an Indica strain whose genesis is the crossing of the Mendo Purps with the San Fernando Valley OG Kush.

Effects: The Blackwater strain makes its presence known immediately after the first hit. A sense of calm envelops the core and then spreads down to the limbs with great intensity; a classic head-to-toe euphoric high.

As the effects build up the user becomes couch-locked, sleepy, and extremely hungry.

Medical value: Medical marijuana patients can say goodbye to appetite loss, insomnia, anxiety, depression, pain, and MS-related symptoms.

Time to use: Users will appreciate the Blackwater strain’s abilities in the nighttime.

Bonus Information: The Blackwater strain creates some mental cloudiness and users shouldn’t expect to focus on anything that requires too much attention.

7. Head Cheese strain

Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid? The Head Cheese strain is a product of the crossing between the 707 Headband and UK Cheese strains. It’s a potent Sativa-heavy hybrid.

Effects: The Head Cheese strain delivers a relaxing and euphoric sensation that radiates through the mind and body. Senses are sharpened and users experience sights and sounds with new intensity.

Even so, the high could be paralyzing for new users because of its immediacy.

Medical value: The Head Cheese strain deals impressively with pain, inflammation, spasms, insomnia, and appetite loss. 

Time to use: The Head Cheese strain is a daytime strain and perfect for a wake and bake.

Bonus Information: Cheese enthusiasts will appreciate the cheese-like aroma of the Head Cheese strain.

8. White Fire OG

Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid? The White Fire OG is a hybrid strain whose parents are the Fire OG and The White strains.

Effects: This strain uplifts the user in an energetic and bubbly high. Extreme happiness and creativity are indicators that the White Fire OG is doing its thing.

Despite the apparent euphoria, users can manage coherent conversations with others.

Medical value: The White Fire OG shines when it comes to treating gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS and IBD by relaxing the digestive system. Like the Candyland strain, the White Fire OG is astounding in the treatment of IBD.

Additionally, anxiety, pain, appetite loss, stress, fatigue, plus cancer-related and glaucoma symptoms are wiped away with ease.

Time to use: White Fire OG works as a daytime strain.

Bonus Information: The White Fire OG is also known as WiFi or WiFi OG.

What is IBD?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a family of chronic inflammatory conditions consisting of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

These conditions are synonymous with relapsing and remitting episodes of inflammation involving the gastrointestinal tract. And often progression may lead to surgery and disability.

Crohn’s disease

The inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease may involve different parts of the digestive tract. Additionally, this type of IBD can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition.

Ulcerative colitis

Like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis also causes inflammation of the digestive tract. However, the main difference is that the inflammation is specific to the lining of the large intestine (colon) and the rectum.

Causes of IBD

The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but it’s assumed to stem from a dysfunction in the immune response system. Much like multiple sclerosis, but involving the gastrointestinal tract.

Since IBD lacks a medical cure, treatment is focused on reducing symptoms and improving the patient’s quality of life.

Current Treatment Methods for IBD

Successful management of inflammatory bowel disease requires a thorough examination by a qualified specialist. Moreover, coordination between various therapies is essential to address the complex needs of the individual patient.

The current treatment options for IBD include:

Anti-inflammatory drugs: anti-inflammatory drugs include corticosteroids and aminosalicylates. And they work to reduce inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract to reduce pain.

Immune system suppressors: these drugs act on the immune system to suppress the biological response that releases inflammation-inducing chemicals into the body. In the case of IBD, these chemicals cause damage to the lining of the digestive tract.

Biologics: this kind of therapy targets the body’s inflammation-causing proteins by neutralizing them. Some are administered through IV while others involve injections that patients can administer to themselves.

Antibiotics: are administered as complementary medicine or when there’s the risk of infection.

Nutritional support: in cases of severe weight loss, the medical provider may recommend a special diet administered via a feeding tube or nutrients injected through the vein in order to treat IBD. Additionally, this method may improve nutrition while allowing the bowels to rest.

Surgery: if lifestyle changes, drug therapy, and other forms of treatment are ineffective, the health care provider may ultimately recommend surgery. For ulcerative colitis, surgery may involve the removal of the entire colon and rectum and the introduction of an internal pouch. Crohn’s disease, however, involves the removal of the affected section then reconnecting the healthy sections.

Marijuana vs Conventional IBD Medication

The safety profile of marijuana is still inconclusive despite the knowledge of its side effects. But, conventional options for IBD management, such as corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologic agents, can have grim side effects. Especially with long-term use.

Since all drugs have some type of side effects, the selection process is often limited to picking a lesser evil, when there is no side-effect-free option available.

For instance, the side effects of corticosteroids include:

• Hypertension
• Glucose intolerance
• Insomnia
• Exaggerated changes in mood
• Weakened immunity
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Glaucoma

Despite marijuana seeming like the much safer option, the doctor’s advice takes precedence. Therefore, patients should not substitute their treatment regimen with cannabis before consulting their healthcare provider.

Conclusion

Undeterred by the scarcity of conclusive scientific research, many IBD patients continue to experience relief from their symptoms through marijuana treatment.

Surveys conducted in the United States and Canada have revealed that nearly 15% to 20% of IBD patients use cannabis. Moreover, up to 40% have at least tried to use cannabis to relieve their symptoms.

Additionally, in a separate study, a majority of IBD patients that found marijuana “very helpful” reported a significant reduction in abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.

In conclusion, with the expert opinion from a cannabis doctor, medical marijuana may be a great option for IBD patients seeking relief from their troublesome symptoms.

Key Takeaways

• Cannabis reduces chronic abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, intestinal inflammation, and diarrhea among other IBD symptoms.
• The effects of cannabis on the endocannabinoid system make it suitable for reducing the symptoms of IBD.
• Not only does medical marijuana reduce the symptoms of IBD but also improves the quality of the patient’s life.
• Medical marijuana helps IBD patients limit the use of conventional medication such as corticosteroids.
• There is still a lot of research to be done on the use of medical marijuana for the treatment of IBD.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.