Nephrolithiasis, also known as kidney stones, occurs when crystals build up in the kidney or ureter. The crystals can vary in size and amount, but typically are painful and may require medical intervention.
The kidneys play an essential role in filtering out waste from the body. Kidney stones are slightly more common in men, with 11% of men experiencing them, compared to 6% of women. There are four varying kinds of kidney stones: calcium oxalate, uric acid, cystine, and struvite. The main difference between these types is their chemical makeup.
Kidney stones are typically diagnosed through urine or blood tests, as well as imaging. There are a few different treatments that are commonly used, including surgery and shock waves to break up the stones.
What Can Cause Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones can be extremely painful, so it’s important to know about the various causes. If you experience any of the following conditions, you may be at a higher risk of developing kidney stones. You may be able to reduce the risk by speaking with your doctor about ways to stay hydrated and possibly modify your diet.
Risk factors include:
- Dehydration
- High phosphate levels
- Genetics factors, such as a family history of kidney stones
- Hypercalciuria
If you use cannabis, then you may be wondering… Can weed cause kidney stones?
There is currently no evidence that cannabis increases the risk for developing kidney stones. In fact, research shows that the cannabinoid system may play an important role in maintaining homeostasis within renal tissue (more on this later).
Signs & Symptoms of Kidney Stones
While very small kidney stones may go unnoticed, larger stones can lead to painful or distressing symptoms. Most people begin experiencing symptoms when the kidney stone(s) cause irritation and inflammation.
Common symptoms include:
- Lower back pain
- Fever
- Bloody urine or a change in urine color
- Persistent stomach pain
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, consider reaching out to a medical provider to help provide a diagnosis and potential treatment options.
How Cannabis Can Help with Kidney Stones
There are a few different treatment options for individuals with kidney stones. The course of action will most likely depend on the size of the kidney stones. Cannabis is not commonly recognized as a treatment for kidney stones, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be an effective option for symptom management.
Preliminary research into the interactions between cannabinoids and the kidneys yielded promising results, with researchers finding that cannabinoids have the potential to modulate and promote healthy kidney function.(1)
One of the biggest aspects of dealing with kidney stones is coping with the pain. Because cannabinoids like CBD can be effective in lessening pain for some consumers, it’s an option for those looking to increase comfort. Likewise, cannabis has shown promise as an anti-inflammatory, which may help alleviate pain caused by kidney stones. Many consumers claim smoking cannabis is the fastest way to find pain relief, while others have alleviated kidney-stone-related pain by adding CBD to their daily routine.
Some people become nauseous while experiencing a kidney stone. A 2011 study found that cannabis can be an effective way to manage nausea. This is one of the reasons why some turn to cannabis to overcome the symptoms of their kidney stones.(2)
There are cannabinoid receptors in the kidneys, meaning that it’s possible for cannabis to exert a positive effect on renal tissue. More research needs to be done on the biological aspects of how cannabis and the kidneys interact.
While cannabis may not eliminate kidney stones, it has shown promise in helping manage pain and nausea caused by the condition. Other treatment options may be needed depending on the severity of the stones.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers kidney stones 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 kidney stones as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to register for your state’s medical marijuana program.
How Nugg Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 21 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Kidney Stones
Learning about kidney stones is important, especially if you think you may be at risk of developing them in the future. If you’re interested in how cannabis could help you in this situation, take a look at the following questions.
Are there any medications for kidney stones that use terpenes?
A Korean medication that includes terpenes is currently being investigated for therapeutic potential.(3)
Does smoking cause kidney stones?
Smoking cigarettes can increase the chances of developing kidney stones. There is not currently any evidence that shows smoking cannabis can cause kidney stones.
Resources
1. Park F, Potukuchi PK, Moradi H, Kovesdy CP. Cannabinoids and the kidney: effects in health and disease. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology. 2017;313(5):F1124-F1132. doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00290.2017
2. Parker LA, Rock EM, Limebeer CL. Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2011;163(7):1411-1422. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01176.x
3. Kim DH, Goh HJ, Lee HW, et al. The Effect of Terpene Combination on Ureter Calculus Expulsion After Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy. Korean Journal of Urology. 2014;55(1):36. doi:10.4111/kju.2014.55.1.36
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.
