Giardia duodenalis is a microscopic parasite. Referred to as “Giardia” for short, this common parasite is not to be confused with the intestinal infection it causes, called giardiasis. Although giardiasis often clears up in a few weeks, it can cause long-lasting intestinal troubles. The most recognizable characteristic of giardiasis is diarrhea.
Giardia was first identified in 1681 by a Dutch microbiologist examining his own stool.1
Hundreds of years later, the infection of Giardia has become a worldwide issue. In the United States, giardiasis is one of the most common diseases you can catch from contaminated water, and it affects more than 1 million children and adults annually.
For such a prevalent disease, giardiasis treatment is not foolproof. Increasingly, experts are seeing cases of giardiasis that are resistant to the most commonly used treatments.2
What Causes Giardiasis?
Giardia parasites can survive for months without a host. It is easy to spread, and infection happens when you swallow the parasite or feces from a Giardia-infected person or animal.
You may be at risk for giardiasis if you:
- Swallow contaminated water
- Swallow contaminated food
- Come in close contact with feces (often in childcare settings)
- Are exposed to feces through sexual contact
- Are exposed to areas with poor sanitation
- Have contact with infected animals or their feces
Giardiasis Signs & Symptoms
If you have giardiasis, you may experience one or more of the following common symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Gas
- Soft, greasy stools
- Painful stomach cramps and bloating
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
Some people with giardiasis never show any symptoms, but they are still able to spread the parasite. If symptoms do appear, they often begin a week or two after infection and last up to six weeks.
There is no vaccine for giardiasis, but safe hygiene practices, like thoroughly washing hands, can lower the risk of infection.
Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Symptoms of Giardiasis?
Lots of people recover from Giardia infection without any treatment. Various antibiotic prescription medications treat severe cases of giardiasis, although they come with side effects like nausea, and treatment can sometimes fail.3
Studies on medical cannabis as a treatment for giardiasis are virtually nonexistent, so we can only extrapolate about any potential benefits using the currently available literature.
- A 2020 scientific review underscores the potential antimicrobial properties of numerous cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBG, CBGA, and CBDA. However, the researchers conclude that more research is needed to determine the efficacy of their potential as an antibiotic treatment.4
- Painful intestinal symptoms are common with giardiasis. A 2020 study noted that many people use cannabis to relieve similar symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the safety and efficacy is not thoroughly understood.5
- A more recent study published in 2021 showed that while cannabis did improve the quality of life for people with IBD, it didn’t significantly affect the inflammation causing the disease. These findings could be limited by dosing inconsistencies in the studies that were reviewed.6
- Marijuana has been studied for nausea, another symptom of giardiasis. One 2020 study showed that oral CBD:THC reduced chemotherapy-induced nausea,7 while preclinical research in 2010 showed that cannabis and specifically CBD reduced nausea in mice.8
It is not known whether cannabis has any positive or negative effect on giardiasis or its symptoms, but what we do know about the antibacterial, pain-relieving, and antiemetic properties of cannabis supports future research into the subject.
While medical cannabis is legal in 39 states and DC, it can still pose some risks, and anyone being treated for giardiasis should use caution with cannabis. Marijuana can negatively interact with certain medications, so make sure to consult with your healthcare provider before adding medical cannabis to your treatment plan.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers giardiasis to be a qualifying condition for medical cannabis, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes giardiasis or its 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 cannabis technology platform, serving patients in more than half the states in the U.S. We’ve connected over 1,300,000 patients with their new medical cannabis 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Giardia
Can you use cannabis while being treated for giardiasis?
We don't know the direct effects of cannabis on Giardia infection. Cannabinoids like CBD can interact with certain medications, so consult with your healthcare provider before considering using cannabis while being treated for giardiasis.9
Can you spread Giardia by smoking cannabis?
You can be infected with Giardia when you swallow the parasite or the feces of a Giardia-infected person or animal. Safe hygiene practices, like washing your hands with hot water and antibacterial soap, minimize exposure to Giardia.
What symptoms of giardiasis can cannabis help with?
Giardiasis can cause nausea and abdominal pain. While cannabis hasn’t been studied directly in relation to giardiasis, preclinical research has shown it can improve the quality of life in some people with inflammatory bowel disease and reduce nausea in humans.6,7 We don’t know why this is the case; more in-depth clinical studies are called for.
References
- Adam RD. Biology of Giardia lamblia. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2001;14(3):447-475. doi:10.1128/CMR.14.3.447-475.2001
- Lalle M, Hanevik K. Treatment-refractory giardiasis: challenges and solutions. Infect Drug Resist. 2018;11:1921-1933. Published 2018 Oct 24. doi:10.2147/IDR.S141468
- Granados CE, Reveiz L, Uribe LG, Criollo CP. Drugs for treating giardiasis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;12(12):CD007787. Published 2012 Dec 12. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007787.pub2
- Karas JA, Wong LJM, Paulin OKA, et al. The Antimicrobial Activity of Cannabinoids. Antibiotics (Basel). 2020;9(7):406. Published 2020 Jul 13. doi:10.3390/antibiotics9070406
- Perisetti A, Rimu AH, Khan SA, Bansal P, Goyal H. Role of cannabis in inflammatory bowel diseases. Ann Gastroenterol. 2020;33(2):134-144. doi:10.20524/aog.2020.0452
- Buckley MC, Kumar A, Arun Swaminath. Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Cannabis: A Practical Approach for Clinicians. Advances in Therapy. Published online June 10, 2021. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-021-01805-8
- Grimison P, Mersiades A, Kirby A, et al. Oral THC:CBD cannabis extract for refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase II crossover trial. Annals of Oncology. 2020;31(11):1553-1560. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.07.020
- Parker LA, Rock EM, Limebeer CL. Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2011;163(7):1411-1422. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01176.x
- Balachandran P, Elsohly M, Hill KP. Cannabidiol Interactions with Medications, Illicit Substances, and Alcohol: a Comprehensive Review. J Gen Intern Med. 2021;36(7):2074-2084. doi:10.1007/s11606-020-06504-8
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.
