Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a challenging condition that affects a significant number of individuals worldwide, with many suffering from chronic pain and inflammation. Medical cannabis is an increasingly popular option for patients seeking alternative treatments for IBD. While the available data suggest a potential role for cannabis in pain relief, the effects on the underlying inflammatory process of IBD are still uncertain. This review summarizes the literature on the use of cannabis for IBD and identifies areas for future research.

A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effects of cannabis on clinical response, induction of clinical remission, and maintenance of clinical remission compared to placebo or standard care. The search yielded 334 studies, but only three trials met the eligibility criteria: one in ulcerative colitis (UC) and two in Crohn’s disease. The results of the meta-analysis showed that cannabis did not significantly differ from placebo or standard care in terms of clinical response, induction of clinical remission, or maintenance of clinical remission for either UC or Crohn’s disease. However, adverse events were reported in all patients receiving cannabis, and the quality of the evidence was low to very low.

These findings highlight the need for more well-designed studies to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of cannabis for the management of IBD. While current data suggest a limited role for cannabis in IBD treatment, ongoing research may identify specific subgroups of patients who could benefit from cannabis-based therapies. Until further studies are conducted, it is important for patients to work closely with their healthcare providers to determine the most effective and safe treatments for their individual needs.