What is it about?
Many claims have been made about the benefits of marijuana for IBD, and patients were curious if it could actually help. We asked patients using medical or recreational marijuana what benefits they found helpful with their IBD. We compared their patient profile to patients who were not using it. Those using marijuana had more disease than those not using it. Since this study was a one-time event, we don't know if patients with uncontrolled disease turned to alternatives for assistance, or how marijuana was influencing their disease over time. They did report more negative psychological symptoms than other patients too.
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Why is it important?
This is an important study because if marijuana truly helps IBD patients, medical care providers need to have evidence substantiating it. If it does not benefit patients, IBD patients who are considering it as an option should be informed. What is truly needed are clinical trials with standardized dosages and where patients followed over time are compared with others who do not use marijuana. Then such conclusions may be drawn.
Perspectives
Many patients with IBD, (and I am one of them) are curious about any new medication or alternative remedy that may help with IBD. IBD is chronic and has no cure. Patients posted many questions about marijuana use on the Partners Research portal and left more than 100 comments in hopes of learning more about its potential benefits.
Dr. Ann M Kerlin
Luther Rice College & Seminary
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Profiles of Patients Who Use Marijuana for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Digestive Diseases and Sciences, March 2018, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s10620-018-5040-5.
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