Medical Marijuana for IBS

Does Medical Marijuana Help Treat IBS?

Few studies report that medical cannabis is useful in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Diagnosing and treating IBS is complex. It’s a syndrome, a combination of one or more painful or uncomfortable symptoms, but not a specific disease.

Treating IBS challenges doctors because its causes are wide-ranging: early life stress or abuse, anxiety and depression, improperly formed intestines, bacterial infections, food intolerances, and genetic predispositions.

Some studies have reported that cannabinoids help reduce inflammation. This makes medical cannabis promising to relieve IBS symptoms like diarrhea, spasms, pain, and bloating.

As always, please consult your primary care doctor or a gastroenterology specialist before trying cannabis to relieve IBS.