Gastritis itself isn’t a condition in and of itself. Instead it’s a larger category of diagnoses resulting from stomach lining inflammation.
The stomach is lined with a protective layer, called the mucosa. This lining plays an essential role in separating the stomach acid from delicate tissue. Damage to this lining can impact the stomach tissue, causing a variety of symptoms.
Eight out of every 1,000 people have acute gastritis. The alternative, chronic gastritis, is not as common.
What Causes Gastritis?
There are a variety of issues that can cause gastritis.1 Those who are worried about developing gastritis should speak with a medical professional about their situation and if they might be at a higher risk.
Exposure to certain bacteria can increase your risk. One of the most commonly diagnosed types of gastritis is caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. This bacteria decreases the integrity of the stomach lining and can cause extensive damage in some cases. Gastritis that’s due to bacteria is typically treated with antibiotics.
Lifestyle changes, as well as environment, can also put an individual at higher risk for developing stomach lining inflammation. Older populations are more likely to develop this condition, as the stomach lining naturally decreases with age. Heavy alcohol use has also been linked to gastritis.
And if you regularly use cannabis, you may be wondering… Can smoking weed cause gastritis?
While there hasn’t yet been enough research that addresses this question, it’s likely that cannabis does not cause gastritis. In fact, it may actually be helpful! (More on that later.)
Gastritis Signs & Symptoms
If you are experiencing gastritis, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Stomach ulcers
- Large weight fluctuations
- Vomiting
Many people report that the beginning stages of gastritis feel similar to indigestion. As gastritis progresses, symptoms will become more severe and the pain will increase. This is what leads many people to seek medical attention.
Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Gastritis Symptoms?
The endocannabinoid system and the digestive system are closely connected. This connection gives cannabis the ability to act within the digestive tract and exert its effect in positive ways.
More research needs to be done to examine if cannabis can be an effective treatment for gastritis. However, most of the known properties of cannabis suggest that it could potentially be an effective option for reducing symptoms.
For example, cannabis has shown promise as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, two common and distressing symptoms individuals with gastritis may experience.
One study found that cannabis can actually help prevent gastritis caused by alcohol use due to its ability to neutralize stomach acid. While more research needs to be done to understand how cannabis and gastritis are connected, this study presented some exciting findings.2
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers gastritis to be 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 gastritis as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to register for your state’s medical marijuana program.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 22 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Sources
1. Azer, Samy A., and Hossein Akhondi. 2020. “Gastritis.” PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544250/.
2. Adejumo, Adeyinka Charles, Jingjing Li, Olalekan Akanbi, Kelechi Lauretta Adejumo, and Terence Ndonyi Bukong. 2018. “Reduced Prevalence of Alcoholic Gastritis in Hospitalized Individuals Who Consume Cannabis.” Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, December. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.13930.
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.
