Young IBD patients are using cannabis oil, mostly for sleep, nausea, and appetite
Among adolescent and young adult IBD patients, cannabis oil users and non-users had similar clinical characteristics, but users reported perceived benefits primarily for sleep, nausea, and appetite, with many also using other cannabis forms.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
15 cannabis oil users and 67 non-users had similar clinical characteristics and pain/appetite scores. 60% of CO users had used in the past 30 days (average 22 times). Most common perceived effects: improved sleep, reduced nausea, increased appetite. Only 6 of 15 used exclusively oil; most also used other cannabis products.
Key Numbers
15 CO users, 67 non-users, ages 13-23. 60% used in past 30 days. Average use: 22 times/month; 4 used daily. Various CBD:THC ratios reported. Top perceived benefits: sleep, nausea, appetite. Only 6/15 used oil exclusively.
How They Did This
Descriptive study of IBD patients aged 13-23 at Children's Hospital Colorado (2015-2017) using chart abstraction, self-report, and serum cannabinoid levels to compare cannabis oil users with non-users.
Why This Research Matters
Young IBD patients are self-medicating with cannabis oil despite limited evidence, using various CBD:THC ratios and strengths. This reality demands open clinician-patient dialogue rather than dismissal of patient-initiated treatment.
The Bigger Picture
The fact that most cannabis oil users also used other cannabis forms suggests they may not clearly distinguish medical from recreational use, or may find oil insufficient for full symptom relief. This complicates clinical guidance.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample (15 users). Single-center study. No objective outcome measures for perceived benefits. Self-selected users may be biased toward positive reporting. Diverse CBD:THC ratios prevent dose-response analysis.
Questions This Raises
- ?Which CBD:THC ratios are most effective for IBD symptoms?
- ?Would standardized cannabis oil preparations show consistent benefit in controlled trials?
- ?How can clinicians guide young patients toward evidence-based cannabis use?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 15 young IBD patients used cannabis oil averaging 22 times/month for sleep, nausea, appetite
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: small descriptive study without controls or objective outcomes.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019, covering 2015-2017.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis Oil Use by Adolescents and Young Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
- Published In:
- Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 68(3), 348-352 (2019)
- Authors:
- Hoffenberg, Edward J(2), McWilliams, Shannon, Mikulich-Gilbertson, Susan(2), Murphy, Brittany, Hoffenberg, Analice, Hopfer, Christian J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02074
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Are young IBD patients using cannabis oil?
Yes. This study found 15 users among adolescent and young adult IBD patients, using various CBD:THC ratios an average of 22 times per month. Most perceived benefits for sleep, nausea, and appetite.
Does cannabis oil help with IBD?
Users reported perceived benefits, but this small study found no measurable differences in clinical characteristics or pain/appetite scores between users and non-users. Controlled trials are needed to determine actual efficacy.
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
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02074APA
Hoffenberg, Edward J; McWilliams, Shannon; Mikulich-Gilbertson, Susan; Murphy, Brittany; Hoffenberg, Analice; Hopfer, Christian J. (2019). Cannabis Oil Use by Adolescents and Young Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 68(3), 348-352. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000002189
MLA
Hoffenberg, Edward J, et al. "Cannabis Oil Use by Adolescents and Young Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.." Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000002189
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis Oil Use by Adolescents and Young Adults With Inflam..." RTHC-02074. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/hoffenberg-2019-cannabis-oil-use-by
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.