Is Cannabis of Potential Value as a Therapeutic for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Excerpt

Cannabis is commonly used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to ameliorate their symptoms. Patients claim that cannabis reduces pain, increases appetite, and reduces the need for other medications [1‐3]. The prevalence of cannabis use in patients with IBD is 15–40% [4], including among pediatric patients [5]. Nevertheless, few scientifically sound data exist regarding the value of cannabis in the treatment of IBD. This discrepancy between the patient’s perception of cannabis as an effective medicine and physician’s reluctance to use non-evidence-based treatment often creates a conflict between patients and physicians, with few IBD patients consulting their medical doctors about cannabis use [6]. More evidence about the value of cannabis as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease is urgently needed. …