Cannabis oil can significantly reduce the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, according to a new study. An eight-week treatment with cannabis oil has caused a 65% remission in Crohn’s patients.
The study was conducted by Dr. Timna Naftali, an Israeli gastroenterologist who also teaches at the University of Tel Aviv. The aim of the study was to find out whether the improvement in symptoms was related to a reduction in inflammation in the bowel. The study was conducted among 50 people with moderately severe forms of the disease.
Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease, also known as IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bowel. Usually the inflammations occur in the small intestine, but the inflammations can occur anywhere throughout the entire digestive tract – from the mouth to the anus. These symptoms can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The exact cause is not yet known, but it can be said that a combination of factors, including the immune system and intestinal flora, play a role in the development of the bowel disease.
No effect on intestinal inflammation
Interestingly, however, cannabis has no effect on the intestinal inflammation that underlies the disease. Dr Naftali explains in a written statement:
“We have previously demonstrated that cannabis can cause measurable improvements in the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. We also know that cannabinoids can have profound anti-inflammatory effects, but to our surprise this study indicates that the improvement in symptoms may not be related to these anti-inflammatory properties.”
In the future, Dr. Naftali and her research team plan to further investigate the potential anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis for the treatment of Crohn’s disease.
“For the time being, however, we can only consider medicinal cannabis as an alternative or additional intervention that provides temporary symptom relief for some people with Crohn’s disease,” says Dr. Naftali.