Clinical trials suggest cannabinoids may help with IBD, IBS, nausea, and motility disorders, while turmeric shows promise as an IBD add-on treatment, but neither should replace standard therapy.
IBD patients interested in complementary therapies and gastroenterologists advising them.
Neither cannabis nor turmeric compared to standard IBD therapy
What the researchers found
Cannabinoids modulate gut motility and visceral pain and have anti-inflammatory properties. Clinical trials suggest a therapeutic role in IBD, IBS, nausea/vomiting, and GI motility disorders. Turmeric shows promise as adjuvant IBD treatment. Neither has been compared to standard IBD therapy. Reports of serious adverse effects from synthetic cannabinoids highlight safety concerns.
Why it matters
Many IBD patients already use these complementary therapies. This review helps clinicians understand what the evidence actually supports versus what remains unproven.
The numbers in context
Neither cannabis nor turmeric has been compared to standard IBD therapy. Synthetic cannabinoids have caused serious adverse effects.
How the study worked
Narrative review of the most recent studies on cannabis and turmeric for IBD and other intestinal diseases.
What this study cannot tell us
Narrative review. Limited clinical trial data for both cannabis and turmeric in IBD. No head-to-head comparisons with standard treatments.
How to read the evidence
Moderate: narrative review of emerging clinical trial data, limited by small number of trials.
When this study was published
Published in 2019.
The bigger picture
Complementary therapies for IBD are increasingly popular, but the gap between patient interest and clinical evidence remains wide. Cannabis may help with symptoms, but safety concerns with synthetic products add complexity.
Questions still open
- What are the appropriate dosing and timing for cannabinoids in IBD? Could combining cannabis and turmeric provide synergistic benefits? Are there bleeding risks with synthetic cannabinoids in IBD patients?
Common questions
Can cannabis replace IBD medication?
Are synthetic cannabinoids safe for IBD?
Read the original research
Cannabis and Turmeric as Complementary Treatments for IBD and Other Digestive Diseases.
Current gastroenterology reports, 21(2), 2
Citation
Quezada, Sandra M; Cross, Raymond K. (2019). Cannabis and Turmeric as Complementary Treatments for IBD and Other Digestive Diseases.. Current gastroenterology reports, 21(2), 2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-019-0670-0
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