Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common syndrome that affects the large intestine. The most common symptoms are cramping, abdominal pain, bloating gas, constipation and diarrhea. Although the symptoms can be severe, there appears to be no long term permanent damage to the bowel. Many patients with IBS find that emotional stress worsens their symptoms. IBS is usually a chronic condition where symptoms can come and go, depending on diet and stress factors.
IBS is different from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) which includes Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These diseases cause permanent changes in the bowel that can be severe and can even increase the risk of colorectal cancer. This is why it is very important to get the correct diagnosis from your doctor before you make any decisions on how to proceed with treatment.
Conventional treatment for IBS includes dietary changes, stool softeners, anti-spasmotic medications, laxatives, and anti-depressants. Many patients find that these treatments don’t work or have unwanted side effects. Many patients have opted to try a more natural approach to their treatment and have found herbal medication (including marijuana) to be helpful.
Many IBS patients have found that the cramping, abdominal pain, and irregularity of bowel movements are relieved with marijuana. Marijuana has been shown to decrease intestinal muscle spasms, decrease nausea, and increase appetite. There are also reports that marijuana works well as an anti-inflammatory, helping to alleviate inflammation in the bowel. Marijuana is well known to help relieve anxiety and induce a relaxed state for most people; this relief of anxiety has been reported by some patients to help calm the symptoms of IBS triggered by stress. Many patients use a combined natural approach of dietary changes, stress-reducing activities like yoga or meditation, and marijuana with good improvement in quality of life.
