Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term to describe a number of gastrointestinal conditions that cause severe stomach pain and other symptoms. IBD affects an estimated 500,000 people in the UK, and the most common types are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The cause is unclear, but it is thought to occur when the immune system attacks the bowel, causing inflammation.
Symptoms
Symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include severe tummy pain, diarrhoea that persists for over 4 weeks, blood or mucus in stool, rectal bleeding, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss.
Treatments
Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease depends on the specific condition and symptoms. Certain medications could help keep it under control, but in severe cases, surgery may be required to remove a section of the bowel. Medical cannabis can help offer an alternative treatment option for gastrointestinal conditions, and research suggests patients with IBD using medical cannabis may have a reduced need for other medications.
53%
A 2018 study of young IBD patients found almost one third used cannabis, and 53% of users did so for pain relief
83.9%
A survey of 313 patients with IBD found 17.6% used cannabis, and 83.9% of users reported reduced abdominal pain
28.6%
A survey of 313 patients with IBD found 17.6% used cannabis, and 28.6% of users reported reduced diarrhoea
74%
In a 2019 study of 127 patients with inflammatory bowel disease using medical cannabis, employment increased from 65% to 74%
Get high quality medicinal cannabis fromthe doctor to your door.
Word from our expert
Dr Sunil Arora Chief Medical Officer
Medical cannabis may offer meaningful symptom relief for people with inflammatory bowel disease, particularly where pain, appetite, or anxiety are major concerns.
While it’s not a replacement for conventional treatments, it can be a supportive option—especially when stress and quality of life are closely tied to disease activity.
At Emerald, our team of experts can help you explore medical cannabis treatments for inflammatory bowel disease that work for you, providing you with a safe, natural option to restore balance in your life.
