Easing Crohn's Disease Symptoms With Medical Marijuana

A form of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition that causes abdominal pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, and nausea. Even with conventional treatment, some Crohn’s patients continue to experience symptoms. 

Medical marijuana may be an option for some when it comes to managing the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Dr. Adam Shestack and Dr. Cy Blanco of Florida Pain Management Institute in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach, Florida, can provide the medical guidance necessary for your medical marijuana certification. 

While medical marijuana doesn’t treat Crohn’s directly, it can substantially reduce the severity of the symptoms you experience. In this month’s blog, we’ll examine how this therapy helps as well as the potential limitations or risks you may experience. 

What are the benefits of medical marijuana for Crohn’s disease?

Your body’s endocannabinoid system responds to natural chemical messengers in your body to regulate functions like appetite, mood, pain, and sleep. The cannabinoids in marijuana, THC and CBD, can attach to your body’s receptors. 

While the effects of these chemicals can vary widely between patients, some Crohn’s patients report that medical marijuana reduces the intensity of symptoms like: 

• Abdominal pain
• Poor appetite
• Difficulties with sleep
• Nausea

When medical marijuana works for you, you can expect an overall improvement in your quality of life with Crohn’s disease. While conventional treatments remain important to control the physical effects of the disease, medical marijuana is a symptom management modality. It does not reduce intestinal inflammation or contribute to the control of Crohn’s disease. 

What are the potential limitations and risks?

Medical marijuana carries some potential side effects, including: 

• Impaired concentration and/or perception
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Mood changes

Products that contain THC may affect your alertness and ability to operate vehicles or heavy equipment. There can potentially be interactions between medical marijuana and medications you may take for Crohn’s and other conditions. It’s important to discuss your medications and medical history with our team so we can adjust your prescriptions as needed. 

If you’re already a cannabis user, be sure to mention this to our providers so we can factor this consumption into your symptom management plan. Regular cannabis use may affect the prescribed levels of medical marijuana. 

While medical marijuana can sometimes provide dramatic improvements in your Crohn’s symptoms, it’s important to note that it is masking the effects of the disease. You should not alter your conventional Crohn’s medications, which help to reduce intestinal inflammation and control Crohn’s effects on your body. 

Adding medical marijuana to a comprehensive treatment plan for Crohn’s disease may be the game changer back to normal living you’ve been searching for. Contact Florida Pain Management Institute to learn more about its suitability for your care. 

Call 561-331-5050 to book an appointment at either of our locations, or click the appointment request link on this page. Get started on easier living with Crohn’s disease by scheduling your visit today.