Medical Cannabis for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada

Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can significantly impact your quality of life, making everyday activities challenging and uncomfortable. IBD is characterized by an abnormal inflammatory response by the body’s immune system that produces severely inflamed or ulcerated bowels, leading to chronic digestive symptoms and potential complications.

There are currently 270,000 Canadians living with some form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and the incidence rate among Canadian children living with the disease has risen over 50% in ten years. Researchers have also predicted that the number of IBD cases is expected to rise to 400,000 by 2030, highlighting the growing impact of this condition across the country.

Canada has one of the highest incidence rates of IBD in the world, making effective treatment options more important than ever. While traditional treatments are available, many patients continue to struggle with persistent symptoms and medication side effects, leading them to explore complementary approaches like medical cannabis.

There are two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These diseases involve an abnormal inflammatory response by the body’s immune system and produce severely inflamed or ulcerated bowels.

What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s Disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, but most commonly affects the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and the beginning of the colon. Inflammation may develop in patches with healthy tissue in between and can spread deep into the layers of affected bowel tissue.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative Colitis affects only the innermost lining of the colon and rectum, with continuous inflammation typically starting at the rectum and extending up the colon. The severity of inflammation and how much of the colon is affected varies by individual.

Common IBD Symptoms

IBD symptoms can vary in severity and may come and go with periods of flare-ups followed by periods of remission. Common symptoms include:

• Persistent diarrhea
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Rectal bleeding or bloody stools
• Urgency to defecate
• Sensation of incomplete evacuation
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Reduced appetite
• Unintended weight loss
• Night sweats

The 2018 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada report indicates that onset of IBD usually occurs in childhood but may also begin later in life. Individuals with IBD are at an increased risk of premature death and face an increased prevalence of bowel cancer.

In order to diagnose Inflammatory Bowel Disease, a thorough medical history and physical examination is required. Tests may be ordered to rule out other diagnoses and may include:

• Blood tests to check for anemia or signs of infection
• Stool examination to detect blood and rule out infections
• Endoscopy (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, upper endoscopy)
• Biopsies of intestinal tissue
• Imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs

It is important to speak with your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of IBD, including: bloody diarrhea, incontinence, constipation, pain or rectal bleeding with bowel movements, severe urgency, abdominal pain or cramps, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, or other intestinal complications.

Research into cannabis for IBD is growing, with promising early results. 

Observational research has shown that cannabis can be a welcomed addition to traditional Inflammatory Bowel Disease treatments. 

Cannabis has been subjectively reported to decrease pain and inflammation in the digestive tract as well as improve quality of life for those who suffer from IBD.

The effectiveness of cannabis for IBD may be linked to how it interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating digestive processes:

1. Anti-inflammatory effects: Cannabinoids may help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract
2. Pain management: Cannabis compounds interact with receptors involved in pain perception
3. Improved motility: Some cannabinoids may help regulate intestinal movement
4. Reduced nausea: Cannabis has well-documented anti-nausea properties
5. Appetite stimulation: Helps counteract weight loss associated with IBD

The GI Society, a Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, explains how cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC, act on CB1 and CB2 receptors in the digestive tract to reduce pain and inflammation. CB1 receptors are present in the enteric nervous system of the gut, while CB2 receptors are found in the immune cells of the intestines, making the digestive system a prime target for cannabis therapy.

A 2011 study in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology evaluated cannabis use in patients with IBD. The study concluded that cannabis use is common among patients with IBD. Patients reported that they used cannabis to control symptoms such as abdominal pain and depression and that it improved their quality of life.

A significant portion of IBD patients, particularly those with severe disease, use cannabis to relieve symptoms of pain, nausea, and appetite and to improve their overall mood.

Due to the long period of prohibition, cannabis research has been difficult. Recent legalization should allow researchers to conduct ongoing trials on how cannabis use may benefit patients with IBD.

For Canadians struggling with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, medical cannabis may offer several potential benefits:

Primary Symptom Management

Many patients report improvements in core IBD symptoms, including:

• Reduced abdominal pain and cramping
• Decreased diarrhea frequency
• Lower levels of visible inflammation (through reduced inflammatory markers)
• Better appetite and weight maintenance
• Improved sleep quality
• Reduced nausea and vomiting

Complementary Therapy

Others find cannabis helpful as a complementary treatment to address the limitations or side effects of conventional IBD treatments:

• Reduced dependence on corticosteroids and their side effects
• Management of side effects from immune suppressors
• Alternative option during flare-ups
• Support during recovery from IBD-related surgeries

Medical cannabis comes in various forms, each with different onset times, durations, and potential benefits for IBD management. Finding the right option depends on your specific symptoms and lifestyle needs.

Oils and Tinctures

• Precise dosing capabilities
• Longer-lasting effects (4-8 hours)
• Discreet and easy to incorporate into daily routines
• Good for maintaining consistent symptom management

Capsules

• Pre-measured doses for consistency
• Extended-release options available
• Similar to taking traditional medication
• Convenient for people with established routines

Edibles

• Long-lasting effects (6-8 hours)
• May be easier on the digestive system than smoking
• Discreet option for daytime use
• Good for overnight symptom control

Vaporization

• Rapid onset of effects for acute symptom relief
• Option for breakthrough symptoms
• Alternative to smoking that may be less irritating to the respiratory system

The GI Society recommends alternative methods of ingestion, such as vaporizing, oils, and edibles, as an alternative to smoking cannabis for IBD patients. This is particularly important for patients with inflammatory conditions, as smoking may exacerbate inflammation.

Your healthcare provider can help determine which forms might work best based on your specific IBD symptoms, disease severity, and previous experience with cannabis.

If you’re considering medical cannabis for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada, here’s how to begin the process:

1. Consider if medical cannabis may be right for you

To determine if medical cannabis may be appropriate for your situation:

• You have been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis
• You may have tried conventional treatments with inadequate results or experienced significant side effects
• You must reside in Canada
• Provincial age requirements typically align with the legal cannabis purchase age (19 in most provinces, 18 in some)

2. Book an online consultation

Our streamlined process makes it easy:

• Schedule a video consultation with a healthcare provider
• Complete a brief triage questionnaire after booking
• Discuss your IBD symptoms, treatment history, and goals

3. Receive your online prescription

If approved, you’ll receive:

• A personalized treatment plan
• A legal medical cannabis prescription
• Guidance on product selection and dosing
• Registration assistance with licensed producers

4. Ongoing support

Our care doesn’t end with your prescription:

• Follow-up consultations to monitor progress
• 7 days a week support by phone and email
• Dosage adjustments as needed
• Access to healthcare professionals for questions

○ Educational resources about cannabis and IBD

Starting medical cannabis treatment for IBD is a significant decision. Our team of healthcare professionals specializes in cannabis medicine and can help you navigate this process safely and effectively through online prescription services across Canada.

An important consideration for anyone with IBD is how medical cannabis might interact with other medications you may be taking to manage your condition.

These interactions could affect how your medications work or potentially cause unwanted effects

For your safety, always:

• Disclose all medications to your healthcare provider during your consultation
• Start with low doses of cannabis when using with other medications
• Monitor for any unusual effects and report them promptly
• Never adjust IBD medications without medical supervision

A comprehensive consultation with a healthcare provider at Apollo Cannabis is essential to ensure your treatment plan considers all aspects of your health, providing the best opportunity for successful symptom management with your online prescription.

Finding the right cannabis dosage for IBD management is a personalized process requiring individualized guidance. While we recommend consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized advice, here are some general principles:

Starting Your Cannabis Treatment:

• Begin with minimal doses
• Start with 2.5mg THC or less (if using THC)
• Consider starting with 5-10mg CBD
• Observe effects for at least 2-3 days before adjusting
• Consider timing doses around meals or when symptoms typically flare

Gradual adjustments:

• Increase by small increments
• Allow time between adjustments to assess the effects
• Focus on finding the minimal effective dose
• Consider different CBD:THC ratios to find what works best for your symptoms

Tracking response:

• Document dosage, timing, and effects
• Note improvements in specific IBD symptoms
• Track bowel movement frequency and consistency
• Record any unwanted effects

These general guidelines are based on standards from The College of Family Physicians of Canada but must be tailored to your specific needs by a healthcare provider during your online consultation.

Remember that cannabis affects everyone differently, and finding your optimal dosage may take time and patience. Working with a healthcare provider experienced in cannabis for IBD can significantly improve your results when getting an online prescription in Canada.