Ulcerative Colitis

Understand how medical marijuana helps with ulcerative colitis.

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Medical marijuana can help manage the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes ulcers and inflammation in the colon and rectum. It's a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 

Symptoms 

• Abdominal pain and cramping

• Bloody diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Fever

• Feeling the need to have a bowel movement even after emptying your bowels

• Loss of appetite

• Rectal bleeding

• Anemia

• Skin sores

• Joint pain

Types 

• Ulcerative proctitis: Inflammation is limited to the rectum

• Pancolitis: Inflammation affects the entire colon

• Distalcolitis: Inflammation affects the left side of the colon

Causes

• Abnormal immune response

• Genetics

• Microbiome

• Environmental factors

• Interactions between a virus or bacterial infection in the colon and the body's immune response. 

Initial Treatment

Most people with UC experience periods of remission when they don't have symptoms, followed by flare-ups when they do. With treatment, most people with UC can live active lives. 

Medical marijuana can help with ulcerative colitis.

According to a study published by the National Institute of Health, medical cannabis can relieve symptoms of ulcerative colitis such as reduced appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Cannabis is known to affect pain and discomfort via psychotropic effects. Cannabis can also modulates the endocannabinoid system which acts on the nervous system, peripheral tissues, and the immune system. This system is composed of cannabinoid (CB) receptors 1 and 2, endogenous endocannabinoids, and associated enzymes  It is hypothesized that cannabis and its derivatives may work through this pathway to decrease inflammation on the gut and provide positive therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis.