"Cannabis May Soothe Inflamed Bowels" (University of Bath and Bristol study - New Scientist)
'... There is quite a lot of anecdotal evidence that using cannabis seems to reduce the pain and frequency of Crohnâ??s disease and ulcerative colitis... Historically, it was smoked in India and China centuries ago for its gastrointestinal properties... â??The gut started to heal: the broken cells were repaired and brought back closer together to mend the tears,â?ť... natural endogenous cannabinoids are released from endothelial cells when they are injured... a wound-healing reaction... slowing gut motility, therefore reducing the painful muscle contractions associated with diarrhoea... her team also discovered another cannabinoid receptor, CB2, in the guts of IBD sufferers, which was not present in healthy guts... may have a role in suppressing the overactive immune system and reducing inflammation by moping up excess cells'

"In the Human Colon: Cannabinoids Promote Epithelial Wound Healing"
'... Cannabinoids enhanced epithelial wound closure either alone or in combination... colonic epithelium is responsive biochemically and functionally to cannabinoids... Increased epithelial CB2-receptor expression in human inflammatory bowel disease tissue implies an immunomodulatory role that may impact on mucosal immunity'

"Crohn's Patients Report Symptomatic Relief From Cannabis"
'... Beneficial effects were reported for appetite, pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, activity, and depression. Patients also reported that cannabis use resulted in weight gain, fewer stools per day and fewer flare-ups of less severity... patients' use of cannabis was associated with a decrease in their use of other pharmaceutical medicines... cannabinoids may promote healing of the gastrointestinal membrane... activation of cannabinoid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract protects the body from inflammation and modulates gastric secretions and intestinal motility'

"Endocannabinoids and the Gastrointestinal Tract: What Are The Key Questions?" (British Journal of Pharmacology)
'... Cannabinoid (CB1) receptor activation acts neuronally, reducing GI motility, diarrhoea, pain, transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations and emesis, and promoting eating... CB2 receptor activation acts mostly via immune cells to reduce inflammation'

"Cannabis and Crohnâ??s Disease" (anecdotal)
'... I began experimenting with the use of marihuana to ease the intestinal spasms. It worked better than the prescribed drugs... Using a regular supply of medicinal marihuana I was able to discontinue all of the prescriptions that had allowed me to just survive with the pain... When will the government realize the value of these natural herbs?'

"Cannabis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome" (anecdotal)
'... I first tried using marijuana for my IBS about six months ago and found that a few puffs on a joint would give me immediate relief from both the urgent diarrhea and the nausea... Nothing else has been as effective, has as few side effects, works as quickly when I need it'

Cannabis and Ulcerative Colitis (anecdotal) (scroll to where it is headed 'Mr. Marc Scott Emery,')
'... doctors tried every medicine known to man. Unfortunately, every one of them seemed to do more damage... When I smoked pot, I still felt everything that was going on in my intestines, but it didnâ??t hurt... Over the next few months, I ate only natural foods and stopped taking my prescriptions (which my doctors said I had to have, or I would be back in the hospital). And I smoked a lot of weed. I got better... Iâ??ve beaten an incurable disease'

"Cannabis and Gastrointestinal Disorders"
includes scientific explanations; cannabis vs current medication for IBD; patient testimonials