Although there is very little chance of side effects from medical marijuana, some patients do have negative side effects while receiving treatment. While overstimulation and dry mouth are among the most frequently reported side effects, some patients also experience other, less frequent side effects. If you’re considering medical cannabis, you can get an MMJ card online for easy access to treatment under professional guidance.
Although there is currently little clinical evidence linking cannabis use to diarrhea, one study did find that THC users were less likely to experience constipation. Furthermore, even though there aren’t many anecdotal reports of diarrhea among medical cannabis users, your experience may still be legitimate.
Based on the information provided by your body, we are here to assist you in determining whether cannabis can cause diarrhea. We’ll dissect the scientific evidence regarding marijuana and bowel movements and show you how to identify the underlying cause.
Medical Cannabis and Digestive Health: What the Research Says
Let’s begin by discussing the science, or what medical professionals already know about how marijuana affects the digestive system. Anecdotal reports, however, frequently provide a clearer picture of how the majority of patients react to cannabis, and clinical data is often behind the curve.
The Link Between Cannabis and Diarrhea
There is currently some contradictory clinical evidence available:
- Cannabis users had a 30% lower risk of constipation, according to a 2019 study (the one we mentioned in the introduction), but there was no link between cannabis use and diarrhea.
- Cannabis may be used to treat inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a 2017 review.
- The Minnesota Department of Health found multiple studies indicating that cannabis may lower colonic motility in individuals with IBS in a 2022 literature review.
All right, so what does this really mean? To put it briefly, scientists are unsure if marijuana can result in diarrhea or any other bowel-related adverse effects. Overall, there is no indication of a connection in the data.
Anecdotal evidence—what about it? Although there isn’t much discussion about cannabis use and diarrhea in online forums, it is still possible. The majority of users and patients advise those who are having diarrhea to look more closely at their diet and habits in order to identify the cause of the issue (which we’ll show you how to do below).
What to Do If You Experience Diarrhea as a Medical Cannabis Patient
We can assist you in finding solutions if you’re having diarrhea while receiving medical cannabis treatment. Let’s go over some actions you can take to find the source of your adverse effects.
Assess Your Diet
Let’s start with a logical question: what is your current diet like? Consider:
- Recent changes: Did you find a new favorite candy to munch on when the munchies strike, or did you add a new recipe to your rotation? An unpleasant GI reaction could result from even a minor dietary adjustment, such as changing the brand of almond milk.
- Existing issues: Regardless of your new cannabis treatment, if you previously suffered from lactose intolerance or another food sensitivity, that problem may have gotten worse recently.
- Unintentional exposures to allergens: If you have a food allergy and have recently eaten out, you may have been exposed to an allergen. Accidents do occur even though commercial kitchens take every precaution to avoid cross-contamination of common allergens (such as dairy, gluten, and nuts).
- New initiatives for wellness: Our best attempts to enhance our well-being can occasionally have unintended consequences. Consider supplementing with fiber.
GI distress can result from taking too many dietary fiber supplements, particularly if you already have a digestive disorder like IBS.
Think about whether recent dietary changes could be the true cause of your diarrhea before making hasty judgments about cannabis.
Examining the Ingredients in Your Cannabis Products
You can administer cannabis using consumable products such as, based on your preferences,
- Gummies
- Baked goods
- Tinctures
- Oils
- Beverages
If your diarrhea symptoms correspond with your dosage and you frequently use edibles, look at the ingredients listed on the packaging. Watch out for:
- Allergens or trigger foods: Make sure that none of the foods in your edible formulas contain any ingredients that you are allergic to or intolerant to. This could result in a reaction even if you are only being exposed to trace amounts of an allergen.
- Common irritants: Even if you are not technically “allergic” to an ingredient, it may still cause an upset stomach or other gastrointestinal problems. For example, some gummy products use erythritol, a common sugar substitute, to increase sweetness without adding calories. Unfortunately, diarrhea is a known side effect of erythritol.
Don’t worry if your edibles are causing you gastrointestinal issues; there are a ton of options available in the medical cannabis market today in case you need to switch formulas.
Consult Your Medical Cannabis Healthcare Provider
Make an appointment with the healthcare professional who recommended medical cannabis if you are unable to identify any dietary reasons for your diarrhea.
Prior to your scheduled appointment, be sure to:
- Note your routine and symptoms: Health care providers need as much information as possible to help you identify the cause of the issue. To help your provider understand your side effects, write down the details of your dosage, timing, mode of administration, and symptoms.
- Bring products with you: If you’re working with edibles, think about bringing the package to your appointment (or snapping a picture of the label). It’s possible that your provider is aware of adverse effects linked to particular strains or products.
Throughout your marijuana treatment journey, a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about cannabis will be an invaluable resource. Online Medical Card is the greatest online medical marijuana card service available right now, so use them when you need convenient, reasonably priced, and high-quality care. Whether a patient is new to cannabis or wants to modify an existing treatment plan, our network of providers provides them with compassionate care and outstanding service.
Consider Taking a Break from Cannabis
Taking a break is a reliable way to find out if cannabis is causing your diarrhea. Although you can quit using medical marijuana “cold turkey” without experiencing withdrawal symptoms, if you want to phase marijuana out of your life temporarily, think about doing the following:
- Tapering: To gradually transition back to life without your medication, you might need to gradually lower your dosage if cannabis has provided you with a great deal of relief. You can develop a customized tapering plan with the assistance of your medical marijuana physician.
- Documenting: Keep track of how your body reacts to your cannabis break, regardless of whether you decide to taper or quit completely. How are the symptoms of your digestive system? Without cannabis, are you noticing any changes in your quality of life? You and your healthcare provider can use this information to evaluate how marijuana affects your body.
- Supplementing: If cannabis doesn’t help, you might need to take a short-term substitute drug. For example, you may rely on over-the-counter NSAIDs or another natural remedy (such as chamomile tea) while using cannabis to treat menstrual cramp pain.
To see if your diarrhea symptoms go away, you’ll probably need to stop using cannabis for at least a week. Your provider can help you determine an exact elimination timeframe.
Choose Online Medical Card for Reliable and Accessible Cannabis Care
Does cannabis have the potential to cause diarrhea? It is rare, but it is possible. Fortunately, marijuana might not be the cause of your digestive issues if you follow the above steps.
Access is crucial if you’re thinking about receiving medical marijuana treatment: Is medical marijuana legal in Louisiana? Yes, and Online Medical Card can assist you in obtaining a cannabis recommendation both within and outside of our home state.
Online Medical Card links patients seeking plant-based, all-natural relief with compassionate, knowledgeable medical professionals who are authorized to prescribe medical marijuana. This is only the beginning; our patient and provider network is here to support you throughout your whole medical cannabis journey. Additionally, if you’re interested in cultivation, we can help you obtain a CA cannabis grower license for legal home growing.
To begin, make an appointment with Online Medical Card.
