IBD: Is Marijuana Use Beneficial?

Medical and recreational marijuana use may be more common among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who do not respond well to traditional treatment approaches, according to new research.

However, despite the potential benefits of marijuana use for this patient population, it may also have negative effects, such as higher rates of depression and anxiety and more IBD symptoms.
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Researchers reached these conclusions following a study of 2357 participants with IBD who lived in states with legalized prescription or recreational marijuana use.

Of these participants, 1666 (71%) completed surveys on marijuana use and IBD symptoms, including perceived benefits of therapy.

Only 214 (12.8%) survey respondents reported asking their medical doctor about marijuana use, and 73 (4.4%) actually used prescribed marijuana.

A total of 239 participants lived in states with legalized medical and recreational marijuana use, and 49 (20.9%) reported using recreational marijuana specifically for IBD.

Approximately 80.7% of participants who used marijuana reported positive benefits. However, depression, anxiety, pain interference, and lower social satisfaction were more frequently reported among marijuana users vs non-users.

Furthermore, participants with marijuana prescriptions also reported more active disease and higher rates of steroids, narcotics, and zolpidem use compared with non-users.

“Few IBD patients consulted their medical doctors about marijuana use or used prescription marijuana,” the researchers wrote. “Where recreational marijuana was available, usage rates were higher.”

“Marijuana use may be higher in patients with IBD symptoms not well treated by conventional medical approaches,” they concluded.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Kerlin AM, Long M, Kappelman M, Martin C, Sandler RS. Profiles of patients who use marijuana for inflammatory bowel disease. Digestive Dis Sci. 2018;63(6):1600-1604. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-018-5040-5