Healthcare
Is Cannabis Good or Bad for the Digestive System?
How Does Cannabis Affect The Digestive System?
Cannabis is known to have varied effects on different people, and this is also true of how the herb affects digestion. There is much more to the interaction between pot and the digestive system than just the “munchies,” which most stoners are familiar with. What you need to know about the digestive effects of cannabis, both good and bad, is provided below.
There is no doubt that there is a complex interaction between cannabis and the human body. There is a lot to unpack regarding cannabis’ effects, and there is still a lot we don’t know because interactions between cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system are mostly to blame for our responses.
How cannabis affects the digestive system, on the other hand, is a topic that is getting a lot of attention. Now, although that may factor in, we’re not just talking about the munchies; rather, we’re looking at the bigger picture of how cannabis may affect digestion and other intestinal issues. Read on to know the full details.
Cannabis and Digestion
Cannabis primarily reacts with the end cannabinoid system in the human body. The endocannabinoid system also referred to as the ECS, is a network of receptors distributed throughout the body and brain/central nervous system. However, the digestive system also has cannabis receptors.
The impact of introducing marijuana into the body can be seen through these intricate and precisely crafted receptors. Depending on the person and their response, the outcomes may have both possible positive and negative effects on a user.
Let’s deviate a bit to discuss the production of ghrelin and the breakdown of THC.
Relationship between THC and Ghrelin
Ghrelin is a hormone that is released into the body when we get hungry. It interacts with the vagus nerve in the GI tract before moving to the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls these kinds of signals.
It’s interesting to note that research suggests THC may increase ghrelin levels, signaling our brains that we may not actually be hungry (Stromberg, 2014). Of course, this is how the term “the munchies” is defined in a textbook. Therefore, even though you could feel really hungry when smoking, you’re probably not. Additionally, there is a claim that THC heightens our sensitivity to smell and the enjoyment of eating, which may also cause us to sense an increase in appetite (Stromberg, 2014). We can be “tricked” into eating more than we would typically do by these interactions between cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system.
Cannabis and Gut Health
We currently understand that the ECS definitely has a variety of effects on the digestive tract. It promotes communication between your gut and brain, controls inflammation, and regulates digestion. As with any other area of the body, cannabis appears explicitly to aid with inflammation in the GI system. Another area with a lot of cannabinoid receptors in the digestive system.
Cannabis may affect our digestive system in a number of ways, such as increasing hunger or giving us the munchies. Still, there is evidence that marijuana may also affect some digestive problems. It’s no secret that many cannabis consumers use the drug only for holistic benefits; thus, may we advertise this as another aspect of wellbeing?
A few studies have examined the connection between cannabis and illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; however, formal research into how cannabis may affect digestive conditions is still in its infancy.
A 2011 study headed by Naftali examined the severity of the disease before and after cannabis use in 30 people with Crohn’s disease. Although this is a single study, the findings are encouraging. Through its anti-inflammatory properties, medical cannabis for IBD has been shown to alleviate some of the condition’s symptoms. Some of these issues that medicinal marijuana may alleviate include nausea and vomiting brought on by chemotherapy or cancer treatment, as a weight loss therapy for AIDS-related, weight loss or anorexia, Constipation and cramping, diarrhea, and acid reflux.
Side effects of Cannabis on the digestive System
Cannabis appears to have the ability to improve digestion; however, it does have drawbacks and can have both immediate and long-term negative impacts in this area. Cannabis use may not be suitable for everyone, especially when coping with digestive disorders, even while they are not severe or life-threatening.
As previously discussed, cannabis with a high THC content may encourage the release of ghrelin, which might increase appetite. However, it could also have the opposite result. Cannabis has diverse effects on different people, and this includes appetite. Weed can decrease hunger as well as stimulate it. This may be brought on by nausea that comes from consuming excessive doses of cannabis or the anxiety and anxiousness that comes with ingesting THC.
Common Conditions Caused By Excessive Use Of Cannabis
The extended use of cannabis can result in chronic conditions. Although, most of these conditions are very rare.
Cannabis-Induced Acute Pancreatitis
Another incredibly uncommon illness is acute pancreatitis. It may result in fever, severe nausea, and vomiting. According to a study, some patients who used cannabis to treat their symptoms instead found that their condition got worse each time they used it. The studies, however, are scant and do not show cannabis’s genuine effects.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
Frequent nausea and vomiting are symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. It is believed to be brought on by a breakdown in the communication between the brain and the digestive tract. Chronic cannabis users may try to end their marijuana use permanently to treat their symptoms. Those experiencing problems may also find relief with capsaicin cream.
Bottom Line
Not everyone experiences digestive issues from using cannabis for an extended length of time. Factors like genetics, dosage, and type of cannabis come to play.
While there are downsides to cannabis use on the digestive system, there are also advantages. The future of cannabis and the digestive system rests greatly on the amount of research that will be carried out in the coming years. We need more information on the herb’s effects on a person’s appetite and digestion.
Source: https://cannabis.net/blog/medical/is-cannabis-good-or-bad-for-the-digestive-system
Education News
AIIMS Gorakhpur Reservation Controversy: FIR Alleges Fake OBC Certificate Used Despite ₹80 Lakh Income
A major controversy has emerged at AIIMS Gorakhpur after allegations surfaced that reservation benefits were misused to secure a postgraduate medical seat. A criminal case has been registered against former AIIMS Gorakhpur Executive Director Dr. G.K. Pal and his son, Dr. Oro Prakash Pal, over the alleged use of a forged Other Backward Class (OBC) Non-Creamy Layer certificate for admission to an MD course.
The case has triggered widespread debate within medical and administrative circles, raising serious questions about transparency and oversight in admissions to premier medical institutions.
FIR Filed on Court’s Direction
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the AIIMS police station following directions from Chief Judicial Magistrate Tvishi Srivastava. According to the complaint, the alleged offence took place on August 30, 2024, when forged documents were purportedly used to obtain an MD seat under the OBC reservation quota.
Sources indicate that the matter was subsequently brought to the attention of the Union Ministry of Health, prompting internal reviews and administrative action.
Alleged Income Far Above Eligibility Threshold
Central to the allegations is the claim that Dr. G.K. Pal and his wife Parvati Pal have a combined annual income exceeding ₹80 lakh. Under existing reservation rules, families with such income levels are not eligible for OBC Non-Creamy Layer benefits.
Following the emergence of the controversy, Dr. Pal was first removed from his position at AIIMS Gorakhpur and later relieved of responsibilities at AIIMS Patna. He is currently posted at JIPMER Puducherry. With the registration of the FIR, officials suggest that further legal and departmental action may follow, depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Complaint Highlights Systemic Concerns
The complaint was filed by Ashutosh Kumar Mishra, a resident of Divyanagar in the Cantonment area. He alleged that the events related to the case occurred between January and September 2024. The complainant argued that misuse of reservation provisions by individuals in senior positions undermines the integrity of public institutions and erodes trust in the medical education system.
The case has reignited concerns over whether verification mechanisms for reservation certificates are robust enough, particularly in high-stakes admissions.
Impact on Medical Community
The allegations have sent shockwaves through the medical fraternity. Experts believe that if the claims are substantiated, the case could prompt a broader review of admission procedures and lead to stricter scrutiny of category certificates across institutions like AIIMS.
Authorities have stated that all relevant documents will be carefully examined before taking further steps. The outcome of the investigation is expected to have far-reaching implications for accountability and compliance in medical admissions.
Questions Await Answers
As the probe continues, several key issues remain unresolved: whether reservation norms were deliberately violated, how verification processes failed, and whether similar cases may surface in the future. For now, the focus remains on the investigation and its potential consequences.
New Mexico regulators fined a cannabis operator nearly $300,000 and revoked its license after the company allegedly created fake reports in the state’s traceability software.
The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) accused marijuana manufacturer and retailer Golden Roots of 11 violations, according to Albuquerque Business First.
Golden Roots operates the The Cannabis Revolution Dispensary.
The majority of the violations are related to the Albuquerque company’s improper use of BioTrack, which has been New Mexico’s track-and-trace vendor since 2015.
The CCD alleges Golden Roots reported marijuana production only two months after it had received its vertically integrated license, according to Albuquerque Business First.
Because cannabis takes longer than two months to be cultivated, the CCD was suspicious of the report.
After inspecting the company’s premises, the CCD alleged Golden Roots reported cultivation, transportation and sales in BioTrack but wasn’t able to provide officers who inspected the site evidence that the operator was cultivating cannabis.
In April, the CCD revoked Golden Roots’ license and issued a $10,000 fine, according to the news outlet.
The company requested a hearing, which the regulator scheduled for Sept. 1.
At the hearing, the CCD testified that the company’s dried-cannabis weights in BioTrack were suspicious because they didn’t seem to accurately reflect how much weight marijuana loses as it dries.
Company employees also poorly accounted for why they were making adjustments in the system of up to 24 pounds of cannabis, making comments such as “bad” or “mistake” in the software, Albuquerque Business First reported.
Golden Roots was fined $298,972.05 – the amount regulators allege the company made selling products that weren’t properly accounted for in BioTrack.
The CCD has been cracking down on cannabis operators accused of selling products procured from out-of-state or not grown legally:
- Regulators alleged in August that Albuquerque dispensary Sawmill Sweet Leaf sold out-of-state products and didn’t have a license for extraction.
- Paradise Exotics Distro lost its license in July after regulators alleged the company sold products made in California.
Golden Roots was the first alleged rulebreaker in New Mexico to be asked to pay a large fine.
Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/new-mexico-cannabis-operator-fined-loses-license-for-alleged-biotrack-fraud/
Alabama regulators are targeting Dec. 1 to award the first batch of medical cannabis business licenses after the agency’s first two attempts were scrapped because of scoring errors and litigation.
The first licenses will be awarded to individual cultivators, delivery providers, processors, dispensaries and state testing labs, according to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC).
Then, on Dec. 12, the AMCC will award licenses for vertically integrated operations, a designation set primarily for multistate operators.
Licenses are expected to be handed out 28 days after they have been awarded, so MMJ production could begin in early January, according to the Alabama Daily News.
That means MMJ products could be available for patients around early March, an AMCC spokesperson told the media outlet.
Regulators initially awarded 21 business licenses in June, only to void them after applicants alleged inconsistencies with how the applications were scored.
Then, in August, the state awarded 24 different licenses – 19 went to June recipients – only to reverse themselves again and scratch those licenses after spurned applicants filed lawsuits.
A state judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Chicago-based MSO Verano Holdings Corp., but another lawsuit is pending.
Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/alabama-plans-to-award-medical-cannabis-licenses-dec-1/
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