anti-inflammatory effects of marijuana in relation to G.I. problems

I've heard of the anti-inflammatory effects of weed before, however, does anyone have or know any information on how that could be used medicinally for gastrointestinal problems?? (ie: ailments of the G.I. track that typically involve some form of inflammation, like Chrones, irritable bowl syndrom, etc.)

I am curious about this because I have a rather rare conditon called...get ready for this...eosinaphilic esophagitis....basically its where the esophagus becomes inflammed and forms strictures all up and down it, causing the esophagus to close up at the strictures. Though they suspect unknown allergens are the trigger for the strictures, they still do not know what causes the inflammation.

Of coarse, being the weed-fan I am, I would love to belive MJ has more then just emotional theraputic effects but I am very curious to see if this could be true in my case or others with similar problems. :thumbsup:

Yes, it has got anti inflamatory properies, although recently in England, they were testing a medicine that had THC in it, and the experiments all went wrong and they all ended up in hospital... and guess what? They blamed the weed, but didnt mention the other killer drugs in the stuff...

Smoke the weed, and you'll be fine!

Hope you feel better soon

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Originally Posted by LIP

Yes, it has got anti inflamatory properies, although recently in England, they were testing a medicine that had THC in it, and the experiments all went wrong and they all ended up in hospital... and guess what? They blamed the weed, but didnt mention the other killer drugs in the stuff...

Smoke the weed, and you'll be fine!

Hope you feel better soon

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Thank you! I feel fine, the only kicker about this condition is that as a result of the inflammation the strictures are formed by these precancerous cells called eosinaphils (sp?), so until they decide to become cancerous I'm pretty pain free. If MJ actually does reduce the inflammation, it could lower the number of eosinaphils produced, which could potentially delay the cancer or completely eliminate the precancerous cells all together!!! :thumbsup:

Thats a shame about that study too! :(

Weed is antiinflammatory, as are other plants, and fish as well. Your immune cells do cause the inflammation, and anti-inflammatory effects are caused by suppressing the immune system. It's interesting that people tried to discourage pot smoking by telling people that it suppresses the immune system, but this suppression is actually quite healthy, as it can counteract heart disease and other chronic diseases. An inflammatory state is directly associated with disease. Exercise also reduces inflammation. Some parasites put out antiinflammatory chemicals in order to suppress the immune system so that they can survive in your body, and hence help to prevent chronic disease. This is a true symbiotic relationship. I wonder if making a marijuana drink would be more effective than smoking it though?

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Originally Posted by Crispyfried

Weed is antiinflammatory, as are other plants, and fish as well. Your immune cells do cause the inflammation, and anti-inflammatory effects are caused by suppressing the immune system. It's interesting that people tried to discourage pot smoking by telling people that it suppresses the immune system, but this suppression is actually quite healthy, as it can counteract heart disease and other chronic diseases. An inflammatory state is directly associated with disease. Exercise also reduces inflammation. Some parasites put out antiinflammatory chemicals in order to suppress the immune system so that they can survive in your body, and hence help to prevent chronic disease. This is a true symbiotic relationship. I wonder if making a marijuana drink would be more effective than smoking it though?

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Very interesting!! Thanks for the valuable info.!! :thumbsup:

Well, Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has properties that stop body cells forming out of control, and that essentaily is cancer.

This is why i think cannabis can actually reduce the rick of cancer, and if not, at least stop it spreading to other parts of the body.

I mean, no one has ever had cancer from smoking cannabis, and no one has ever died, but they still keep it illegal...

Fingers crossed you'll be fine!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LIP

Well, Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has properties that stop body cells forming out of control, and that essentaily is cancer.

This is why i think cannabis can actually reduce the rick of cancer, and if not, at least stop it spreading to other parts of the body.

I mean, no one has ever had cancer from smoking cannabis, and no one has ever died, but they still keep it illegal...

Fingers crossed you'll be fine!

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Awesome news!!! I suppose I have nothing to worry about either way! :thumbsup: :dance:

News in Science

Health & Medical News - Cannabis-like drugs may help bowel disease - 15/08/2005

http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/h...sh_1437679.htm

Cannabis-like drugs may help bowel disease

Reuters
Monday, 15 August 2005

Derivatives of the active compound in cannabis may one day treat inflammatory bowel diseases, new research suggests.

In preliminary laboratory experiments published in the latest issue of the journal Gastroenterology, UK scientists show that cannabinoids prompt gut cells to repair themselves.

And as gut damage is central to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, this early work may pave the way to using cannabinoid drugs to treat these conditions.

"Cannabinoids, which we make ourselves, as well as synthetic cannabinoids, can promote wound healing in the gut, which is extremely interesting given that inflammatory bowel disease involves damaged gut linings," says lead researcher Dr Karen Wright, of the University of Bath.

Wright and her colleagues found cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 in human colon tissue.

They then used human colon cell lines to investigate the binding of cannabinoid compounds and in wound-healing experiments.

The team found that CB2 was increased in colonic tissue characteristic of inflammatory bowel disease.

And cannabinoids enhanced surface wound closure via mechanisms involving the CB1 receptor.

"The system that responds to cannabis in the brain is present and functioning in the lining of the gut," says Wright.

"There is an increased presence of one component of this system during inflammatory bowel diseases."

Although results are not available yet, she adds, studies of cannabinoids' role in gut disorders are taking place in the UK and a clinical trial is being conducted in Germany.

For more information about gut problems, including symptoms and therapies, see the Gastroenterological Society of Australia's website.

with ABC Science Online

More very interesting reading!!! Thank you!! :D

LIP, is there any way you would be so kind as to send me some links or citations of the info. you've provided me on this thread? I would looooove to show this info. to my doctor!! :-)