Cannabis for Celiac Disease Symptoms Is Helping Thousands

Cannabis for Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease Patients Are Turning To Medical Cannabis For Relief from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

Good news: Marijuana is gluten free and can help relieve you of the symptoms of celiac disease!

Think that the only way to live with celiac disease is by cutting off gluten? Bet you didn’t think that you could also take marijuana to curb your symptoms.

Going “gluten-free” is more than just a buzz word for the fitness industry. It is estimated that 1 in every 100 people are afflicted by celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that leads to damage in the intestines when you consume gluten. Celiac disease is hereditary which means that if someone in your family had it, the chances that you could develop it are even higher.

Gluten is found in many of the common varieties of pasta, bread, crackers, beer, cakes, donuts… sadly, many of the best things in life contain gluten! For those suffering from celiac disease, accidentally consuming gluten can lead to painful and often serious symptoms as a result of the body’s inability to process gluten. Sometimes it can take months for the intestines to fully heal, although that’s not the only part of the body affected by this dreaded condition. Symptoms of celiac disease include mouth ulcers, weight loss, anemia, osteoporosis, heartburn, acid reflux, joint pain, constipation or diarrhea, gas and bloating, fatigue, stomach pain, skin rash, and numbness in the hands and feet. Living with celiac disease is no joke: more than sacrificing the ability to eat your favorite pasta and pizzas, it means a serious commitment to changing your eating habits for the rest of your life.

So how can medical marijuana help?

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Well, getting stoned can provide significant symptom relief.

A 2013 study conducted by the University of Terano in Italy revealed that the cannabinoid receptors located in the intestinal tract are more dominant in untreated patients as compared to those who have already been following a gluten-free diet for more than a year. They found that by targeting the receptors using cannabis, patients could find relief from the often debilitating symptoms brought about by celiac disease. Cannabis was extremely effective in targeting the stomach’s CB1 and CB2 receptors which means that it would be very useful in restoring overall well-being in the patients.

There is also a significant number of anecdotal evidence online which prove that cannabis is useful in reducing the symptoms of celiac disease. Besides, cannabis already has long been used throughout history for its ability to treat gastrointestinal disorders thanks to its analgesic and antiemetic properties. Additionally, the right strain can also boost appetite, reduce nausea, and treat abdominal cramps, which are all commonly experienced by those who have celiac disease if they accidentally consume gluten.

Indica strains are best for addressing celiac disease because of its ability to calm muscles and treat digestive disorders. For patients, the challenge is getting access to medical marijuana to treat celiac disease since it still isn’t listed as a qualifying condition in any state. However in California, doctors can prescribe medical marijuana for any sickness that they think it will help with. If you have celiac disease and your state qualifies chronic pain as reason enough to get medical marijuana, there may be ways around it.