Can weed cause stomach ulcers?

There is a possible link between using cannabis and developing stomach ulcers.

Some users have reported developing ulcers after prolonged cannabis use. But there’s also evidence that medical cannabis may help prevent and treat stomach ulcers.

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How ulcers form

An ulcer is an open, inflamed sore that forms inside the body or on the skin.

A stomach ulcer develops when the stomach’s protective mucus lining breaks down. This allows gastric acids and enzymes to erode the stomach lining.

Common causes for stomach ulcers include:

• Severe psychological distress
• Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that lives in the stomach. When the stomach lining breaks down, this bacteria can multiply, leading to ulcers and other health issues.
• Misuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These over-the-counter medications can irritate the stomach lining.

Can cannabis cause ulcers?

We’re still learning about the role of cannabis in ulcer development.

One study found that chronic, longtime cannabis users increase their risk of being hospitalized for peptic ulcer disease by 18%. It’s possible that this risk could be much lower with careful dosing.

In rare cases, chronic cannabis use may also cause cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Symptoms include stomach pain and vomiting. More studies are needed, but it’s possible that CHS may play a part in the development of stomach ulcers.

Despite the many anti-inflammatory compounds in cannabis, some studies show that it may increase the risk of inflammation, which could contribute to stomach ulcers. The pain-relieving effects of cannabis may also mask ulcer-related pain, leading to delayed treatment.

How cannabis may benefit stomach health

Evidence shows that cannabis may also benefit your digestive system.

Cannabis may treat gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain and diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

These health benefits are due to how cannabis affects your endocannabinoid system, a signaling network made up of cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. These receptors use cannabinoids to balance bodily processes like:

• Inflammation
• Pain
• Digestive function
• Sleep
• Stress

Cannabinoids found in cannabis, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), influence these receptors to promote healing.

Cannabinoid receptors in the digestive tract balance gut function. This includes:

• Lowering gut inflammation
• Improving the flow of gastric acid
• Improving motility
• Relaxing the esophageal sphincter to lower acid reflux
• Protecting the stomach lining

While more studies are needed, some research shows that cannabis could protect against the development of stomach ulcers.

What is the best cannabis product for stomach ulcers?

Common cannabis product types include:

• Vaporizers
• Edibles
• Tinctures
• Topicals
• Capsules

Research doesn’t show that one product type could be more effective against ulcers than another. And while some edibles contain sugar, such as gummies, there’s no existing link between consuming sugary cannabis edibles and being at a higher risk of developing a stomach ulcer.

The bottom line: Responsible cannabis use may improve stomach ulcers, but chronic use may help cause them

Most research shows that cannabis can improve digestive functions, and even protect the stomach lining.

But studies also show that using cannabis in excess may increase your chance of getting a stomach ulcer.

If you want to use cannabis to help treat or prevent an ulcer, consider getting your medical cannabis card from Leafwell. This way, you can work with a licensed healthcare professional to find your ideal dose, and know that you’re only using safe products.

Resources

• Cannabis and pain: A clinical review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5549367/
• Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549915/
• Cannabis use disorders lead to hospitalizations for peptic ulcer disease: Insights from a nationwide inpatient sample analysis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8253454/
• Cannabis use in patients presenting to a gastroenterology clinic: Associations with symptoms, endoscopy findings, and esophageal manometry. https://www.mdpi.com/2624-5647/1/3/25
• Gastric acid inhibitory and gastric protective effects of Cannabis and cannabinoids. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1995764516300712
• Role of cannabis in digestive disorders. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27792038/
• Stomach ulcer. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22314-stomach-ulcer
• Unusual side effect of cannabis use: Acute abdomen due to duodenal perforation. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4936980/

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