title: Cannabis finds its way into treatment of Crohn's disease.
abstract: In ancient medicine, cannabis has been widely used to cure disturbances and inflammation of the bowel. A recent clinical study now shows that the medicinal plant Cannabis sativa has lived up to expectations and proved to be highly efficient in cases of inflammatory bowel diseases. In a prospective placebo-controlled study, it has been shown what has been largely anticipated from anecdotal reports, i.e. that cannabis produces significant clinical benefits in patients with Crohn's disease. The mechanisms involved are not yet clear but most likely include peripheral actions on cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, and may also include central actions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schicho
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Storr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002188:Cannabis; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002186:Cannabinoids