CBD for Crohn’s Disease Treatment

What Is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease, as defined by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect multiple parts of the gastrointestinal tract and causes chronic inflammation in the intestines. An estimated three million Americans are afflicted by inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease.

Unfortunately, the causes of Crohn’s disease are still unclear, but here is what we know:

• Men and women are equally affected.
• The disease can occur at any age but is most often seen in individuals aged 15 to 35.
• Diet and stress are not the cause of the disease but may aggravate the symptoms.
• Studies suggest that different factors may contribute to the development of the disease, including genetics and the environment.

It can be frustrating to be affected by a disease without any indication of its causes, especially given the painful symptoms. Thankfully, a CBD supplemental treatment can significantly help with Crohn’s disease. 

Why use CBD for Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease, unlike ulcerative colitis, can affect all parts of your intestines, from the mouth to the anus. The symptoms can be painful and severe, such as chronic diarrhea, rectal bleeding, cramping, and bowel obstruction.

Crohn’s disease can also induce symptoms outside the gastrointestinal system, such as eye pain, mouth sores, swelling in the joints, fever, weight loss, fatigue, kidney stones, osteoporosis, and rare liver complications. These are only a few symptoms that are associated with Crohn’s disease.

CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, an internal system of cannabinoid receptors that helps regulate other body systems, including the digestive and immune systems. CBD has also been shown to help with inflammation relief. These effects can help make Crohn’s symptoms less intense and easier to live with.

Different Forms of Cannabis to Treat Crohn’s Disease

If you live with especially severe Crohn’s, you may benefit more from whole-plant cannabis. The combination of THC and CBD can be more effective than CBD alone for many patients. In fact, using medical marijuana for Crohn’s disease has been observed to reduce swelling and inflammation in patients with severe, chronic symptoms.

Whether you opt for medicinal marijuana or CBD for Crohn’s disease, different forms, including smoked flower products, CBD oils, tinctures, pills, and edibles, are available.