The Benefits of Cannabis for Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is when the immune system attacks the body when gluten is ingested, which is found in wheat, barley or rye. In America, every 1 in 133 people contract Celiac Disease. The small intestine gets inflammation with celiac disease, and destroys the intestinal lining. This results in not fully digested food moving to the large intestines that produces bloating, cramping, gas and abdominal pain.(

Cannabis can treat some symptoms of celiac disease allowing for a more normal lifestyle. Marijuana can slow the muscle spasms and contractions to slow the movement down of food and also the liquid secretions to mitigate diarrhea. Many celiac patients describe pain due to the cramping that Marijuana can ease. Marijuana can also increase appetite and help absorb nutrients from the food.(Source)

Cannabinoids in cannabis interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the gastrointestinal system called the enteric nervous system and the CB1 & CB2 receptors in the brain. Both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) cannabinoids are beneficial for treatment of celiac disease in cannabis. THC helps to slow down the digestion and movement of food going through the digestive tract too fast. CBD works with the CB2 receptors to reduce inflammation and help the immune cells in the digestive tract.(Source) CBD also helps to activate the THC into helping the intestinal motility.(Source) and (Source)

Source:

http://patients.gi.org/topics/celiac-disease/

http://pharmcannabis.com/documents/pertwee-2001.pdf

http://pharmcannabis.com/documents/usai-1997.pdf/

http://pharmcannabis.com/documents/luft-2007.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3631143/