Ulcerative Colitis
Q: Hello Nurse Anne, Do you know the best methods to help manage ulcerative colitis? I currently use cannabis daily by smoking, vaping, and eating, and tinctures, but still have flare-ups. Has there been any recorded cases of someone being in remission by using cannabis? I've heard juicing is amazing and want to try it, but can't get a hold of fresh, organic, clean plants. The best I feel is when I eat it, but good tasting, healthy edibles are expensive. I've also made my own coconut oil, but didn't have it tested, so I have no idea what cannabinoids were in it. Help me figure out a way to find a "template" to manage this cyclic disease.
A: Dear Anonymous,
My heart goes out to you and all the others who have this very difficult syndrome. As you know ulcerative colitis is part of a group of conditions characterized by symptoms of severe abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and widespread inflammation in the colon that come under the heading of Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD.
The good news is that there is an avalanche of anecdotal and animal study model evidence that cannabis is very effective for many of the symptoms. It is well known that our own Endocannabinoid system which has receptors throughout the digestive system and brain regulates gut function and healing the lining of the gut when damaged. Activating this system by using cannabis such as you are in vaping, eating, will activate the receptors that regulate the gut nervous system.
Activating the CB1 receptor decreases, nausea, intestinal motility, and decreases secretions/fluids that cause watery diarrhea while diminishing inflammation, pain and the risk of developing tumor cells. As the disease progresses the CB2 receptor also plays a role in healing the endothelial cells that line the gut and sometimes when damaged can cause leaky gut syndrome. The leaking of material from the colon into the blood stream is responsible for the overreaction of our immune systems causing a constant state of alarm and inflammation that characterize auto immune disorders. THC triggers the CB2 receptors to minimize or clean away dead cells which reduces the body’s inflammatory response.
High THC strains are recommended for their effect on the CB1 and CB2 receptors. But recent studies also indicate CBD strains and raw form cannabis THC-A and CBD-A are also promising. I also heard that people with lower bowel and rectal inflammation have been helped by cannabis suppositories. I predict that within the next year, very selective cannabis derived treatment medicines will be available.
In your case it sounds like you have tried many different ways of ingesting cannabis and have sought out some information to guide you. I applaud your efforts and feel your sense of frustrations over not having a clear path to healing. I want to encourage you to keep moving forward in your quest. There is are no individual templates available at this time. Everyone’s experience unique to them. There will be many more studies based in the U.S coming in the next year.
I advise keeping a diary of sorts to track your symptoms. A simple daily accounting of # of episodes of nausea, pain, appetite, vomiting, fatigue and # of stools daily. Also track the # and type of cannabis ingestion during the day. See if you can see a pattern. This is what a local physician Dr. Jeffrey Hergenrather has been doing in a survey he started in 2005. He is based in Sebastopol and his office # is 707-484-7720. He’s very busy so keep trying. You may be able to join his survey.
A very good resource for information and medication guidance is available on the website www.projectcbd.org.
In my research for your question I came upon a story by Fatin Phoenix Ward who describes her journey with IBS from illness to remission in her book ”The Medical Marijuana Healing Bible”. Haven’t read it myself but a synopsis of her story is quite compelling.
**UPDATE: Dr. Hergenrather is not currently doing a study with IBS. He's available for consultation's as usual.
Warm Regards,
Nurse Anne
Photo Credit: etsy.com - Surrender Dorothy
