Overview of Inflammatory Bowel Disease/ Syndrome (IBD)/ (IBS)
IBD is described as a group of disorders that cause inflammation of the intestines. Although it was previously considered an autoimmune disease, research now suggests that it's not your immune system attacking your body that causes the chronic inflammation, but rather it's your immune system attacking bacteria, viruses or food in your gut that causes inflammation leading to bowel injury.
There are two main types of IBD. These are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
1) Crohn's disease involves any area of your gastrointestinal tract, from your mouth to your anus.
2) Ulcerative colitis is limited to your large intestine or colon. It affects your colon or the last section of your small intestine, or sometimes both.
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Findings: Effects of Cannabis on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Syndrome (IBS)/ (IBS)
THC, is also known for being an effective reliever of pain and nausea, which are two of the most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. CBD, the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid works as a powerful anti-spasmodic that also produces calming effects in patients.” To further explain the mechanism, when these cannabinoids enter our system they create a reaction that stimulates two cannabinoid receptors; CB1 and CB2. As a result of the CB1 receptors being activated, which are found in the nervous system, digestive tract, etc., the human body then undergoes a process that allows it to feel the ‘pharmacological effects’ produced by marijuana. These effects include “gastroprotection, reduction of gastric and intestinal motility and reduction of intestinal secretion”. This is great news for IBS sufferers because depending on if you’re going through bouts of constipation or diarrhea, medical marijuana can help relax your intestinal muscles so that it’s easier to have a bowel movement. Not only does medical marijuana help IBS patients, it also has been extremely beneficial to patients who suffer from other illnesses, such as Crohn’s Disease, Arthritis, GERD, and many others.
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