Half of New Zealand IBD patients had used cannabis, with most reporting symptom improvement | Research

The takeaway

Among 334 IBD patients in New Zealand, 51% had used cannabis, with 31% of users reporting medicinal use for IBD symptoms, and most noting improvements in pain, nausea, and appetite.

Gastroenterologists treating IBD, IBD patients considering cannabis, and researchers designing cannabis-IBD clinical trials.

54% of IBD patients would request medicinal cannabis if legal

What the researchers found

51% reported ever using cannabis. Of users, 63% used recreationally and 31% for IBD symptom reduction. Cannabis users were younger (by 6.4 years), more likely to have ongoing symptoms, unemployed/self-employed, and current/ex-smokers. Most reported improvements in abdominal pain/cramping, nausea/vomiting, and appetite. 54% of all participants said they would request medicinal cannabis if legal.

Why it matters

IBD patients are using cannabis regardless of legal status and reporting symptom benefits. Understanding these patterns can help clinicians have informed conversations and guide future clinical trial design.

The numbers in context

334 eligible respondents (84% NZ European, 71% female). 61% Crohn's, 34% UC. 51% ever used cannabis. 31% of users for IBD symptoms. Symptoms improved: abdominal pain, nausea, appetite. 54% would request medicinal cannabis if legal.

How the study worked

Anonymous online questionnaire distributed to IBD patients via hospital database and Crohn's and Colitis New Zealand. 378 respondents, 334 eligible. Assessed cannabis use patterns, motivations, symptom effects, and attitudes toward legalization.

What this study cannot tell us

Self-selected sample with possible response bias. Self-reported symptom improvements without objective measures. New Zealand population may not represent other regions. Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation.

How to read the evidence

Well-designed cross-sectional survey with good response, but self-reported outcomes and possible selection bias.

When this study was published

2021 study from New Zealand. Conducted before medicinal cannabis became more widely available there.

The bigger picture

The high proportion of IBD patients using cannabis for symptoms, even in a jurisdiction without legal medical cannabis, underscores the gap between patient need and available evidence-based treatments.

Questions still open

Would randomized trials confirm the symptom improvements patients report? What cannabinoid formulations and doses work best for specific IBD symptoms? How should clinicians counsel IBD patients who ask about cannabis?

Common questions

What IBD symptoms did cannabis help with?

Patients most commonly reported improvement in abdominal pain/cramping, nausea/vomiting, and loss of appetite. These are symptom reports, not objectively measured outcomes.

Were cannabis users sicker than non-users?

Cannabis users were more likely to have ongoing symptoms, suggesting they may have turned to cannabis because conventional treatments were insufficient for their disease.

Read the original research

Attitudes towards and use of cannabis in New Zealand patients with inflammatory bowel disease: an exploratory study.

The New Zealand medical journal, 134(1530), 38-47

View on PubMed ↗

Citation

Appleton, Kerry; Whittaker, Elizabeth; Cohen, Zarife; Rhodes, Heather May; Dunn, Cathy; Murphy, Siobhan; Gaastra, Mabel; Galletly, Anna; Dougherty, Sean; Haren, Andrew; Sukumaran, Nitin; Aluzaite, Kristina; Dockerty, John D; Turner, Robin M; Schultz, Michael. (2021). Attitudes towards and use of cannabis in New Zealand patients with inflammatory bowel disease: an exploratory study.. The New Zealand medical journal, 134(1530), 38-47.