Relief in gastrointestinal symptoms with medical marijuana over 1-year

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Subjective improvement in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms was assessed among patients using medical marijuana (MMJ). METHODS: Participants completed surveys at 0 days, 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months with questions about the severity of their GI symptoms on a scale from 1 (mild) to 3 (severe). RESULTS: In each survey, participants reported a significant decrease in gastrointestinal symptom severity when using MMJ versus when not using MMJ (p < 0.05). The most common self-reported side effects from using MMJ were increased appetite (12%–21.4%), fatigue (6%–16.7%), anxiety (4%–11.9%), cough (4%–11.9%), headache (6%–7.9%), and dry mouth (4%–7.1%). CONCLUSION: In patients with chronic GI symptoms, MMJ may provide persistent symptom severity improvement. Limited product availability and mild to moderate side effects are factors to consider before trialing MMJ.