Cannabis for Gastritis

Cannabis for Gastritis

Does Cannabis Help with Gastritis? from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

It’s easy to take your digestive system for granted. For most of us, getting our nutrients from the food we eat is just a normal part of everyday life. But not when you have gastritis.

Gastritis is a disease caused by inflammation in the stomach lining, causing the mucosa to become inflamed or swollen. Gastritis severely affects digestion because the stomach lining contains glands that produce pepsin and stomach acids, both of which are essential in healthy digestion. Pepsin helps to break down proteins while stomach acid digest food. The stomach lining is protected by thick mucus, which prevents acidic digestive fluids from dissolving stomach tissue.

However, when gastritis occurs, a bacteria called H.Pylori affects this protective barrier. Gastritis usually occurs after consuming too much alcohol, as well as abusing medications and anti-inflammatory drugs. Other cause of gastritis are the excessive consumption of cigarettes, prolonged exposure to stress, medicating with steroids, bacteria and viruses, and spicy food.

There are 2 types of gastritis: acute, which occurs suddenly and only lasts temporarily; and chronic, which occurs gradually and lasts for a longer period of time. The symptoms of gastritis include dyspepsia or indigestion, a burning sensation in the stomach between meals, heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dark stools, hiccups, and vomiting. Acute gastritis affects 8 out of every 1,000 people while chronic gastritis affects 2 in every 10,000 people.

Conventional treatment for gastritis include antibiotics, antacids and proton pump inhibitors, which work by reducing stomach acid. But pharmaceutical medications for gastritis have side effects of their own. If left untreated, gastritis can increase the risk for stomach cancer.

How Cannabis Can Help

Cannabis has shown to be promising in the treatment of gastritis naturally and without any side effects. This is because we have cannabinoid receptors in the stomach, and these cannabinoids play an important role in healing various parts and functions of the gut. Cannabis has been used by gastritis patients to help manage the pain and stress caused by this condition, and most importantly, to treat inflammation.

According to researchers in Austria and Germany, “It was not surprising to discover that the GI tract accommodates and expresses all the components of the ECS (the endocannabinoid system).” Meanwhile, animal studies have concluded that “the endocannabinoid system conveys protection to the GI tract (e.g. from inflammation and abnormally high gastric and enteric secretions.”

Cannabis can help gastritis patients manage the symptoms of this condition such as:

Nausea: One of the most well-known therapeutic benefits of cannabis is its efficacy in treating nausea. Nausea and the urge to vomit is a common symptom among gastritis patients, which can also prevent them from getting the nutrition that they need to heal because of the inability to keep food down.
Inflammation: Both THC and CBD are effective in treating inflammation, the root cause of many illnesses including gastritis. Another compound in cannabis called beta-carophyllene is also beneficial in treating gastritis. Using whole-plant medicine is the best way to combat inflammation because of the entourage effect.
Appetite loss: Because of the severe abdominal pain and heartburn that may occur after eating meals, gastritis patients may end up losing their appetite. This is another well-researched area that cannabis has been proven to treat. Cannabis tends to induce one’s appetite, making it easier to get the food that you need in your body and heal.
Mood disorders: Studies show that gastritis patients are prone to mood disorders such as anxiety, panic attacks, extreme depression, and social phobia. Researchers say that “Our results suggest a significant link between a diagnosis of gastritis and increased likelihood of mood and anxiety disorders.” Cannabis is already widely used around the world for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, either alone or caused by other conditions. Gastritis patients can benefit from using specific strains that are known for its therapeutic effects for mood disorders.

Treating Gastritis With Cannabis

Cannabis edibles are the most efficient way of treating gut-related conditions such as gastritis. Because edibles enable the direct interaction of cannabinoids with endocannabinoid receptors in the gut, they offer strong and potent relief for gastritis. But since edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for its full effects to set in, gastritis patients can also medicate through smoking or vaping for instant relief.

Medical Marijuana for Gastritis