Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) medical cannabis treatment
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive condition that affects how the brain and bowel communicate with each other, which can cause changes in bowel habits, intense discomfort, and extreme pain. Currently, there is no cure for IBS, and antidiarrhoeal and antispasmodic medicines are typically prescribed to treat symptoms, but recently, some patients have reported significant symptom improvement with medical cannabis IBS treatments.
Am I eligible?1 in 5
adults in the UK are believed to have irritable bowel syndrome
Up to 70%
of IBS patients suffer from moderate to severe abdominal pain
Over 50%
reduction in abdominal pain scores after cannabis-based treatment
Over â…”
of UK adults would consider medical cannabis treatments
Symptoms
Abdominal pain
Bloating
Constipation
Cramping
Diarrhoea
Inconsistent bowel movements
Trouble gaining/retaining weight
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, you may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
There are a number of treatments that can be used to help manage or regulate the fluctuating symptoms commonly experienced by those IBS patients, but typically making dietary or lifestyle changes are the first thing recommended by GPs. Sometimes IBS goes away on its own, or the symptoms become manageable, but for some the opposite can happen and medications or prescribed treatments are required to help with IBS. Medical cannabis treatments are legal and suitable for some IBS patients in the UK, but only when traditional or conventional routes have been exhausted.
Antidiarrhoeal medicines
Antispasmodic medicines
Laxatives
Linaclotide
Loperamide
Mebeverine hydrochloride
Polyethylene glycol (PEG))
If you are struggling to manage your symptoms and have already tried two conventional treatments for IBS, cannabis-based treatments may be suitable for you. Use our free eligibility tool to find out now.
Am I eligible?Join our growing community of over 60,000 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
"IBS - irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion. Patients go through many tests and medications to have all other conditions ruled out and unfortunately still remain symptomatic whereby traditional medications are not helping and the patient's quality of life daily is affected severely. With Medical cannabis and it's complex mechanism of action on the internal cannabinoid system we can help alleviate the abdominal discomfort and pain, nausea, flare ups, assist with sleep and improve the quality of life that has been lost."
Dr Mivy Jaspal
Generalist
If you are struggling to manage your symptoms and have already tried two conventional treatments for IBS, cannabis-based treatments may be suitable for you. Use our free eligibility tool to find out now.
Am I eligible?Articles on Irritable bowel syndrome (ibs)
28. 07. 2023
Can CBD help with IBS?
There are over three million people in the UK estimated to be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its variety of symptoms. More and more treatments for the currently incurable condition are being sought, with one of the increasingly popular treatment options being medical cannabis, and one of the major cannabinoids produced by the plant - cannabidiol (CBD).
28. 07. 2023
09. 08. 2023
Can cannabis help reduce the symptoms of IBS?
Research has shown that medical cannabis has the potential to help with a variety of ailments and health issues, including the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
09. 08. 2023
05. 08. 2023
Is CBD a safe treatment option for gut inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to harmful stimuli like injuries and infection. It effectively quarantines the site of the injury and infection in order to attack any invading bodies or contaminants. In the modern world, however, there are more negative stimuli that can trigger inflammation than ever, from stressful living and working conditions to processed foods and airborne pollution. These can cause the immune system to attack healthy tissue.
05. 08. 2023
Can medical cannabis improve IBS symptoms?
Medical cannabis contains many powerful chemicals, some of which are cannabinoids. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact effectively with the body's endocannabinoid system, and they have both been shown to be particularly useful in managing IBS symptoms for many patients.
When cannabinoids are absorbed into the bloodstream, they can interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, or balance. From the ECS, cannabinoids can move around the body and target specific areas in crisis, and in the case of IBS, this is often alleviating pain and or inflammatory responses.
However, small scale research has also shown THC may have the ability to reduce colonic motility, reducing the frequency of bowel movements, which holds promise for IBS patients. The other major component, CBD, also benefits IBS treatment by relieving stress and anxiety which typically exacerbate IBS symptoms, or increase their likelihood of occurrence.
At Releaf, our specialist doctors can legally prescribe cannabis-based IBS treatments to UK patients if they have been struggling to manage their symptoms with conventional medicines, and are here to support patients through their journey with medical cannabis. To find out if this course of treatment could be suitable for you, fill out our free online eligibility checker today.