Bowel Diseases and Cannabis

What symptoms can Cannabis relieve?

Although Tetrahydrocannabinol or “THC” is the most known of the compounds in marijuana, at least 66 cannabinoids have been isolated from this plant. The effects of most of these compounds is still unknown and it is widely believed that it is the combination of these chemicals which creates the diverse range of medical benefits including, but not limited to, pain relief.

Marijuana can be very effective at reducing nausea and stimulating appetite.

Studies have shown that CB1 receptors located on the nerve cells in the gut respond to cannabinoids by slowing gut motility, therefore reducing the painful muscle contractions associated with diarrhoea.

In fact, a group of researchers from Bath University and Bristol University have found that upon being damaged the gut actually grows a different type of cannabinoid receptor called CB2, further enhancing the effect of cannabis compounds as a treatment.