Cannabis and Zieve’s Syndrome: How Can Weed Help Patients With Zieve’s Syndrome?

Zieve’s syndrome, medically recognized as acute alcoholic hepatitis, was first reported in the 1950s. This condition is possibly more prevalent than currently known, as many individuals are misdiagnosed. Zieve’s syndrome results from chronic alcohol use, and the treatments include abstaining from alcohol and blood transfusions.

Intense alcohol use over an extended period results in liver damage. When that liver damage reaches a certain point, Zieve’s syndrome will likely occur.

There are three ways that this condition manifests itself: jaundice, hyperlipidemia, and hemolytic anemia. Zieve’s syndrome significantly impacts the liver and bloodstream and can be incredibly serious.¹

Individuals with this condition must get medical attention as soon as possible.

What Causes Zieve’s Syndrome?

The only thing that causes Zieve’s condition is consistent alcohol use over an extended time. Individuals must consume large amounts of alcohol regularly. If you’ve had this condition once, that won’t stop you from developing it in the future again if alcohol use continues.

Zieve’s Syndrome Signs & Symptoms

Many people struggle to recognize Zieve’s syndrome because it isn’t very well known. If you are experiencing this condition, you may have one or more of the following common symptoms:¹

• Nausea
• Chronic pain
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Weakness

Detoxing from alcohol can be a challenging process, so it’s best to do it under the guidance and supervision of a professional. If you’re experiencing symptoms of this condition, it’s best to speak with your doctor.

Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Symptoms of Zieve’s Syndrome?

There is not a significant amount of research that examines how cannabis may help alleviate Zieve’s syndrome.

Cannabis compounds like THC have been proven to help reduce one of the most prominent symptoms of this condition, nausea and vomiting, in low doses.² It may also be possible that cannabis may relieve symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and help to reduce the consumption of alcohol.³ 

Another symptom of Zieve’s that cannabis may be able to help is chronic pain. Research has demonstrated the potential effectiveness of blending compounds like THC and CBD to help relieve pain and provide anti-inflammatory effects for a variety of medical conditions.⁴

Interestingly, researchers have discovered that chronic cannabis use may lead to lower incidents of developing liver disease in individuals who also drink alcohol.⁵ This research may help lead the way for more research into how cannabis might be able to help prevent the development of Zieve’s syndrome.

Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation

To determine if your state considers Zieve’s syndrome 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 Zieve’s syndrome 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 marijuana technology platform, serving patients in over half the United States. We’ve connected over 2,000,000 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.

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Should I consider replacing alcohol with weed? 

This is a very individual question, as everyone has different views about cannabis vs. alcohol. In general, chronic use of any substance may have negative health effects. Consult with your doctor to see if cannabis may be a suitable part of your treatment.

Is there anything I should know when switching from alcohol to weed?

If you use alcohol heavily, then it’s best to speak with a medical professional about the detox process and what treatments are best for you. If you’re switching from alcohol to weed, start with a low dose, even if you have experience with other substances. Then, increase your dosage slowly if needed.

What are some alcohol alternatives that will help me feel relaxed? 

If you’re trying to cut back on alcohol but don’t want to consume THC, then CBD may be a great option. CBD won’t provide the intoxicating effects that THC does, but it can help you feel more relaxed and calm.

Resources

1. Abughanimeh O, Kaur A, Numan L, Bahaj W, Madhusudhana S. Zieve's Syndrome: An Under-reported Cause of Anemia in Alcoholics. Cureus. 2019;11(2):e4121. Published 2019 Feb 22. doi:10.7759/cureus.4121 ↩︎
2. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Health and Medicine Division, Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice. Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids In: The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. National Academies Press (US); 2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425748/ ↩︎
3. Kleczkowska P, Smaga I, Filip M, Bujalska-Zadrozny M. Cannabinoid Ligands and Alcohol Addiction: A Promising Therapeutic Tool or a Humbug? Neurotoxicity research. 2015;29(1):173-196. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12640-015-9555-7 ↩︎
4. Mlost J, Bryk M, Starowicz K. Cannabidiol for Pain Treatment: Focus on Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020; 21(22):8870. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228870 ↩︎
5. Adejumo AC, Ajayi TO, Adegbala OM, et al. Cannabis use is associated with reduced prevalence of progressive stages of alcoholic liver disease. Liver Int. 2018;38(8):1475-1486. doi:10.1111/liv.13696 ↩︎

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.