Medical marijuana use may offer relief for GI symptoms reports recently published study

Photo © iStockphoto.com/Artem_Furman

A recently published study¹ found that patients using medical marijuana reported a significant increase in subjective improvements of gastrointestinal (GI) symptom severity, compared to not using medical marijuana. The survey was carried out over 12 months with patients who self-described as suffering from refractory GI and non-GI symptoms despite previous medical management. Inclusion criteria was at least one GI symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, stomach bloating, stomach pain, and heartburn. Phone surveys were completed at baseline, one month, six months, and 12 months after the study’s initiation.

Out of 55 participants, the number of those with persistent symptoms (one GI symptom across all four surveys) at one month, six months, and 12 months were 50, 42, and 38, respectively. “Overall, participants reported significant, enduring moderate GI symptom relief when using [medical marijuana],” wrote the researchers. “Importantly, there were no differences in GI symptom relief based on age, sex, the number of medical conditions, and the number of patient medications.”

While the study’s length was a strength, the researchers aknowledge that self-reporting has its limitations, as well as the study’s lack of controls and formal GI diagnoses. The current study suggests a potential association between medical marijuana use and relief of GI symptoms, but more research is required to confirm and understand this association.

Reference

1. Wallingford, M.P.; Kelly, E.L.; Herens, A.; Hanna, D.; Haijar, E.; Worster, B. Relief in Gastrointestinal Symptoms with Medical Marijuana Over 1 Year. Med Cannabis Cannabinoids. 2024, 7 (1), 80-85. DOI: 10.1159/000538694