Crohn's disease medical cannabis treatment
In the UK, there are a number of treatment options available used to help manage the symptoms and challenges associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s including medications and lifestyle adjustments. But unfortunately, for many individuals, these just don’t provide enough relief. As a result, a growing number of those affected by Crohn’s have started to turn to alternative options, and since its legalisation in 2018, medical cannabis and cannabis oil have gained popularity as a promising option for additional symptom management.
1 in 123
1 in every 123 people is believed to live with Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis in the UK.
54%
54% of people with Crohn’s say their health makes domestic and leisure activities difficult.
90%
90% of survey respondents said IBD symptoms improved with cannabis based treatments.
23%
23% of IBD patients have used cannabis based products for symptom relief, shows survey.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain or cramping
Chronic diarrhoea
Fatigue
Fever
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Mouth ulcers
Rectal bleeding
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
When a person is diagnosed with Crohn’s, changes to diet are often encouraged, frequently combined with pharmaceutical treatments such as steroid medications like prednisolone, or immunosuppressants like azathioprine. There are other biological medicines like Adalimumab used to treat Crohn’s, and in extreme cases, surgery may be recommended.
Adalimumab
Azathioprine
Infliximab
Methotrexate
Prednisolone
Risankizumab
Ustekinumab
Find out if you may be eligible for medical cannabis Crohn's disease treatments here
Am I eligible?Join our growing community of over 150,000 people
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based medicines, switching from another medical cannabis clinic, or self-medicating, we’ll put you back in control of your health.
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A word from our specialist
“There is increasing evidence that medical cannabis can reduce the intensity of symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, albeit without altering what the condition looks like under the microscope. Irritable bowel syndrome similarly, although a distinct condition from both Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis, can be calmed down considerably by means of cannabinoid therapy.“
Dr Sue Clenton
Medical Director
Find out if you may be eligible for medical cannabis Crohn's disease treatments here
Am I eligible?Articles on Crohn’s disease
07. 01. 2025
Can you get a medical cannabis card for Crohn’s disease in the UK?
Crohn's disease is an autoimmune condition that can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It is characterised by inflammation of the digestive tract, which can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and fatigue. While there is no known cure for Crohn's disease, patients have a range of treatment options available to them here in the UK, with medical cannabis being one of them.
07. 01. 2025
28. 07. 2023
What you need to know about cannabis and Crohn’s disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and fatigue. The condition can be difficult to manage, and traditional treatment methods may not always be effective. This has led some people to explore alternative, complementary therapies, such as medical cannabis.
28. 07. 2023
19. 08. 2024
Exploring the benefits of medical cannabis for gastroenterological conditions
Conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract - often called gastroenterological conditions - can greatly affect an individual’s health and quality of life. Yet, despite being relatively common in the Western population, effective management of these conditions and their symptoms is often elusive. However, in recent years, emerging evidence has indicated that medical cannabis may have a role to play in reducing the burden of some of the most common gastroenterological conditions.
19. 08. 2024
Could medical cannabis help Crohn’s disease?
Evidence shows that medical cannabis, and cannabis-based medicines, can alleviate a number of symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease, and unbeknownst to many, it has been a legal treatment option here in the UK since 2018.
At Releaf, our specialist doctors can prescribe alternative options like medical cannabis and cannabis oil for Crohn's disease when conventional or traditional approaches have failed to manage a patient’s symptoms, or meet their needs.
This is due to the interaction medical cannabis compounds have with the body’s endocannabinoid system - or ECS. The ECS is made up of countless, densely packed receptors, and it spans the entire body because it is responsible for regulating a long list of biological responses, including those affected by Crohn’s disease.
Evidence shows medical cannabis can relieve pain and cramping, and condition specific patient response surveys of patients with inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn’s strengthen these therapeutic applications.
For example, one Australian survey of patients with IBD found medical cannabis helped abdominal cramping and pain, and also had a positive impact on sleep, anxiety, and stress concerns.
To find out more about these options, or find out if they could be a suitable option for you, assess your eligibility for Releaf services here