Crohn’s disease is a chronic, long-term condition where the gut becomes inflamed, and can cause diarrhoea, stomach aches & cramps, bloody stools, chronic pain and weight loss. An estimated 1.3% of US adults (3 million) reported being diagnosed with IBD (either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) in 2015. It is thought to be linked to genes and a problem with one’s immune system. Crohn’s is therefore an autoimmune disorder. There are few anti-inflammatory medications that can be used to treat Crohn’s effectively, and surgery may also be needed. Crohn’s and type-1 diabetes share some similarities.
Cannabinoids and their anti-inflammatory properties may be extremely useful in treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) like Crohn’s disease. However, research is still at an early stage.
