Cannabinoids show preclinical promise for inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer but clinical evidence is lacking
A review found that while cannabinoids show anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects in lab and animal models relevant to IBD and colorectal cancer, clinical evidence for these specific conditions is limited to questionnaires and small pilot studies.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers reviewed the evidence on cannabinoids for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer.
For IBD, in vitro and animal data showed cannabinoids reduce intestinal inflammation through multiple mechanisms. However, clinical evidence was limited to patient questionnaires and small pilot studies. No approved cannabinoid medications exist for IBD.
For colorectal cancer, only preclinical data were available showing anti-tumor effects of cannabinoids, with no clinical studies in humans.
The review noted that currently approved cannabinoid medications (THC, dronabinol, nabilone) are used for pain, spasticity, and chemotherapy-induced nausea, not for IBD or cancer treatment. Medical cannabis authorization remained limited to a small number of countries.
Key Numbers
Currently approved cannabinoid medications: THC/dronabinol/nabilone for nausea, dronabinol for anorexia, THC:CBD spray for MS spasticity and cancer pain, CBD for epilepsy. None indicated for IBD. Zero clinical trials for cannabinoids in colorectal cancer.
How They Did This
Narrative review of preclinical and clinical literature on cannabinoids in intestinal inflammation and gastrointestinal carcinogenesis.
Why This Research Matters
IBD and colorectal cancer are significant health burdens with limited treatment options. While the preclinical data on cannabinoids is encouraging, this review clearly delineates the gap between laboratory promise and clinical evidence, informing patients and clinicians about the current state of knowledge.
The Bigger Picture
This review illustrates a common pattern in cannabinoid research: strong preclinical data that has not yet translated to clinical practice. For IBD in particular, where patients frequently self-medicate with cannabis, the disconnect between laboratory evidence and clinical validation is a significant concern.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Narrative review without systematic methodology. Heavy reliance on preclinical data for both conditions. The small pilot studies in IBD have significant methodological limitations. Cannabis self-medication by IBD patients is not well captured in clinical studies.
Questions This Raises
- ?Will randomized controlled trials of cannabinoids for IBD produce the results predicted by preclinical data?
- ?Which specific cannabinoids or combinations are most promising for intestinal inflammation?
- ?Could cannabinoids serve as adjunct therapy alongside standard IBD treatments?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- No approved cannabinoids for IBD; zero clinical trials for cannabinoids in colorectal cancer
- Evidence Grade:
- Review based heavily on preclinical data with only small uncontrolled clinical studies, providing preliminary evidence of therapeutic potential.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2018. Clinical research on cannabinoids for IBD has progressed with several new trials since publication.
- Original Title:
- Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids: An Option for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Cancer of the Colon?
- Published In:
- Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 1(1), 28-35 (2018)
- Authors:
- Grill, Magdalena, Hasenoehrl, Carina(2), Storr, Martin(5), Schicho, Rudolf
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01665
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis treat inflammatory bowel disease?
Preclinical evidence is promising, showing anti-inflammatory effects in lab and animal models. However, clinical evidence in humans is limited to questionnaires and small pilot studies. No cannabinoid medications are approved for IBD.
Can cannabinoids treat colorectal cancer?
Only preclinical (lab and animal) data exist showing anti-tumor effects. No human clinical trials had been conducted as of this review. Cannabinoids are currently used to manage chemotherapy side effects, not to treat cancer directly.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- CBD-oil-quality-guide
- anxiety-medication-after-quitting-weed
- cannabis-chemotherapy-nausea
- cannabis-chronic-pain-research
- cannabis-epilepsy-CBD-Epidiolex
- cbd-anxiety-research-evidence
- cbd-for-weed-withdrawal
- cbd-vs-thc-difference
- medical-benefits-of-cannabis
- quitting-weed-before-surgery
- quitting-weed-medication-interactions
- quitting-weed-pregnancy
- quitting-weed-pregnant
- seniors-older-adults-cannabis-risks-medications
- weed-breastfeeding-THC-breast-milk
- cannabis-and-arthritis-research
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01665APA
Grill, Magdalena; Hasenoehrl, Carina; Storr, Martin; Schicho, Rudolf. (2018). Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids: An Option for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Cancer of the Colon?. Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 1(1), 28-35. https://doi.org/10.1159/000489036
MLA
Grill, Magdalena, et al. "Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids: An Option for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Cancer of the Colon?." Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1159/000489036
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids: An Option for the Treatme..." RTHC-01665. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/grill-2018-medical-cannabis-and-cannabinoids
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.