Cannabis and Digestive Disorders: Can Weed Help With Symptoms of Digestive Disorders

Digestive disorders can range from mild discomfort to severe conditions relating to the digestive system. The digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and its processes break down food into nutrients that the body can use as fuel. 

The digestive system is made up of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, intestines, and anus. When this system malfunctions, a digestive disorder can occur that may be either temporary or long-term.

Digestion has been studied since the discovery of the digestive organs in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 20th century, technological advancements helped scientists finally begin to understand more about the different digestive diseases.¹ 

According to the National Institute of Health, 60 to 70 million people in the United States are affected by digestive disorders, accounting for 21.7 million hospital visits. Research into gastrointestinal health and treatment is ongoing, with so many possible digestive disorders. In 2021, researchers studied the gut microbiome that could impact future therapies for treatment-resistant digestive disorders.²

What Causes Digestive Disorders?

Digestive disorders can be functional, where the GI system looks healthy but doesn’t work properly, and structural, where the bowel doesn’t look healthy and doesn’t work properly. 

Some causes of functional digestive disorders include:

• Low-fiber diets
• Lack of exercise
• Changes in routine, like travel
• Consuming excessive amounts of dairy
• Stress
• Restricting bowel movements
• Overuse of anti-diarrheal medications
• Using antacid medications containing calcium or aluminum
• Some medications, including narcotics and certain antidepressants
• Pregnancy

Some causes of structural digestive disorders include: 

• Constipation
• Esophageal narrowing
• Hemorrhoids
• Diverticulitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Colon cancer
• Anal fissures
• Colitis
• Infection

Signs & Symptoms of Digestive Disorders

People who have digestive disorders may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Bleeding
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Incontinence
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Problems with swallowing
• Weight loss or gain

The above symptoms are common but may present in different combinations for each person and disorder.

Digestive disorders can include many different conditions:

• Esophagus: Heartburn, esophageal narrowing, and achalasia 
• Stomach: Gastritis and gastric ulcers
• Pancreas: Pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocyst
• Liver: Hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis, and liver failure
• Gallbladder: Gallstones, cholecystitis, and cholangitis
• Intestines: Irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and ulcerative colitis
• Anus: Anal issue, hemorrhoids, and anal prolapse
• Other disorders: Cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and peptic ulcer disease

Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Digestive Disorders?

There have been a myriad of studies on whether cannabis can help with digestive disorders or their symptoms, and overall, the data is inconclusive. However, cannabis and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) do appear to interact with the digestive system.

• According to a review published in 2020, the ECS has the ability to positively affect the balance of the digestive system, especially when pain and inflammation are symptoms. However, this is neither fully understood nor is it the case for every GI disorder, and adverse side effects are possible.³  

• A large 2019 study explored the gastrointestinal health of 772 long-term cannabis users compared to a control group of 1599 nonusers. Researchers found a higher incidence of abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting among cannabis users. Abdominal pain and heartburn were the most common complaints among the control group but appeared at a lower rate than in the cannabis users.⁴ This study did not track the reasons for cannabis use or the timing of symptoms. Additionally, the control group did not match the age, gender, or ethnicity of the cannabis users.

Some studies have investigated cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a rare condition affecting the digestive system, characterized by repeated vomiting among regular cannabis users. Experts don’t know what exactly causes this condition. Still, it contradicts the studied antiemetic effects of cannabis.⁵

• A 2017 review noted that the only known way to stop CHS is to stop using cannabis. Researchers theorize that long-term use of cannabis and certain cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, might impact the functioning of the ECS and its responses, which could lead to the symptoms of CHS.⁶ Because there have not been any large-scale controlled clinical studies, and the total number of patients included is small, the data this review is based on is limited, so further study is required. 

Conversely, cannabis has been used by people experiencing common digestive disorders, including abdominal pain and diarrhea. It has shown promise for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and other gastrointestinal motility conditions. 

• A 2022 review investigated studies involving the ECS and treatment of IBS because people increasingly use cannabis for this digestive disorder. While experts agree that there is a possible route for cannabis to support gastrointestinal function and reduce pain through its interaction with the ECS, there is no conclusive data on its safety and efficacy, and further studies must be conducted.⁷ 

• A 2017 review of the role of cannabinoids on esophageal function found that lower doses of THC appear to reduce gastric acid with digestive disorders like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes severe acid reflux.⁸ A study from the same year reported that cannabis and certain cannabinoids exhibit anti-inflammatory effects that appear to reduce stomach acid production and acid reflux. However, these results were mostly limited to animal studies.⁹

Studies show that cannabis and the endocannabinoid system can affect digestive health, but whether this is positive or negative depends on the medical condition and the study. This is due mainly to the need for further research into cannabinoids, dosing, and the short- and long-term effects of cannabis use on the GI system. At this time, no definitive medical guidance can be made on whether or not to use marijuana for digestive disorders. 

Cannabis as a whole, in addition to individual cannabinoids like THC and CBD, has been studied for its effect on the GI system and seems to be most beneficial at lower doses, if at all. While cannabis may have a place in future therapies for certain digestive disorders, the current research is limited by small sample sizes, inconsistent study methods, animal and molecular studies that haven’t been replicated in humans, and the federal illegality of cannabis, hindering further research.

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome cannot be discounted, and although not a lot is known about this condition, it underscores the fact that more research on the use of cannabis and digestive health is needed. Even without CHS, cannabis can potentially cause certain effects, like diarrhea or overeating, that may be especially severe for someone with a digestive disorder. Smoking as a method of consumption is not recommended when gastrointestinal health is a concern, as it may cause heartburn or inflammation. Use caution and consult your healthcare provider before using cannabis for any digestive disorder. 

To reduce the potential adverse effects of cannabis on your digestive health, it may be best not to consume products containing high percentages of cannabinoids like THC and avoid smoking. Non-intoxicating cannabinoids, like CBD, CBG, and CBDA, may be ideal for low doses. Using CBD may reduce unwanted side effects when using THC, but it is not guaranteed to eliminate them entirely. CBD and hemp oils used in transdermal or sublingual formulations are recommended; these are easy to dose and can bypass the digestive system when absorbed into the body.

Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation

To determine if your state considers digestive disorders a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.

If you find that your state recognizes digestive disorders or their symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.

How NuggMD Can Help

NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in over half the United States. We’ve connected over 1,300,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform. 

We believe that every human has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Digestive Disorders

Can smoking cannabis damage your stomach?

It is not definitively known if smoking cannabis can damage your stomach, although smoking tobacco is known to cause heartburn, inflammation, and GERD. If you are concerned about your stomach and digestive health, it is wise to avoid smoking cannabis until more is known.

Can marijuana edibles cause stomach pain?

While researchers do not know if cannabis causes stomach pain, it has been associated with it in some studies. Edibles can be made out of many different ingredients, can be hard to dose correctly, and may contain plant matter, which could cause stomach irritation. 

Is cannabis good for gastrointestinal health?

Overall, the current research is inconclusive. The endocannabinoid system appears to affect the digestive system, but further study is required to illuminate whether this is positive or negative. Results could depend on the cannabinoid, dose, method of use, and particular digestive disorder you may have.

References

1. Kirsner JB. Blossoming of gastroenterology during the twentieth century. World J Gastroenterol. 2004;10(11):1541-1542. doi:10.3748/wjg.v10.i11.1541
2. Vicentini FA, Keenan CM, Wallace LE, et al. Intestinal microbiota shapes gut physiology and regulates enteric neurons and glia. Microbiome. 2021;9(1):210. Published 2021 Oct 26. doi:10.1186/s40168-021-01165-z
3. Gotfried J, Naftali T, Schey R. Role of Cannabis and Its Derivatives in Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Disease [published correction appears in Gastroenterology. 2021 Apr;160(5):1904]. Gastroenterology. 2020;159(1):62-80. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.03.087
4. Parikh M, Sookal S, Ahmad A. Cannabis Use in Patients Presenting to a Gastroenterology Clinic: Associations with Symptoms, Endoscopy Findings, and Esophageal Manometry. Gastrointestinal Disorders. 2019;1(3):301-307. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/gidisord1030025
5. Taylor BN, Mueller M, Sauls RS. Cannaboinoid Antiemetic Therapy. PubMed. Published 2021. Accessed October 18, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535430/
6. Richards JR, Gordon BK, Danielson AR, Moulin AK. Pharmacologic Treatment of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Pharmacotherapy. 2017;37(6):725-734. doi:10.1002/phar.1931
7. Brierley SM, Greenwood-Van Meerveld B, Sarnelli G, Sharkey KA, Storr M, Tack J. Targeting the endocannabinoid system for the treatment of abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023;20(1):5-25. doi:10.1038/s41575-022-00682-y
8. Gotfried J, Kataria R, Schey R. Review: The Role of Cannabinoids on Esophageal Function-What We Know Thus Far. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2017;2(1):252-258. Published 2017 Oct 1. doi:10.1089/can.2017.0031
9. Abdel-Salam O. Gastric acid inhibitory and gastric protective effects of Cannabis and cannabinoids. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine. 2016;9(5):413-419. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtm.2016.04.021

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.