Yes, scientific studies and findings prove that weed can cause stomach ulcers. There is a straightforward reason behind that. Weed and the endocannabinoids in the stomach hold the same type of properties. So, the former messes up with the latter.
If you have been consuming weed for a while, you may often find soreness in your stomach. It can usually be followed by pain. Worse, there can be internal bleeding, too, if the situation is too bad. But how can weed do it? Let us elaborate.
What Are Stomach Ulcers?
Ulcer, in general, is any breach or pain in the lining of the epithelium (a kind of tissue). They often appear naturally following an injury or such. It can also occur when the blood circulation faces anything unusual.
While ulcers can form anywhere, including the esophagus or skin, stomach ulcers, as you can guess, appears in the lining of the stomach. Like anywhere in the body, you don’t want to have breaches or internal bleeding in your stomach lining caused by ulcers. So, treatment is mandatory.
Symptoms and Causes of Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers, also known as peptic ulcers, are the results of any injury or issues with blood circulation. But they can also appear because of the following-
- Helicobacter pylori (a type of bacteria that stays in the digestive tract)
- Usage of medication, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Stress
Next, let’s talk about the symptoms of Ulcers-
- Bloating
- Pain and discomfort in the upper abdominal part
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Heartburn (burning in the upper chest)
- Loss of appetite
- Dyspepsia (indigestion)
Is There a Link Between Weed and Stomach Ulcers?
Yes, weed and digestive problems, such as stomach ulcers, are directly linked. It is one of the common side effects of marijuana use. Although, before you put your habit of smoking weed as a cause of the ulcer, contacting a physicist to check your health is ideal.
Studies say peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and cannabis use disorders (CUD) have significant relations. The latter gave an 18% rise to the former after the legalization of marijuana.
Now, let’s explain their connection in simpler words. Inside our body, we have the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The duty of this system are as follows-
- Controlling your appetite
- Sensing any pain or defects in the area
- Sleep and mood
- Memory
- Fertility and reproduction
- Healing any injury, breach, infection, etc., in the area
This system is not only in the stomach but also in other parts of the body, including your legs. Fun fact- the ECS was found when researching the cannabinoids, THC, an element of cannabis. Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglyerol are two types of ECS.
Anyway, when taking marijuana, the cannabinoid in the cannabis connects to the receptors in the ECS. As we mentioned, they are the same properties. However, one is not meant for the other, and it causes the cannabinoids to mess up and disturb the work of ECS.
One of the main reasons why smoking and other shorts of consumption of weed causes infection and such are as we mentioned above.
What Can People Do to Prevent Stomach Ulcers?
The methods for avoiding stomach ulcers are pretty apparent when you look at their causes. Since you may have it because of your weed consumption, you can try the following actions-
- Take a break from smoking for a week or two, if not permanently. Let your ECS heal before considering taking weeds again.
- Smoke less. Again, controlling your marijuana consumption can reduce the health risks of smoking weed, including ulcers.
- Do not smoke on an empty stomach. The food may act as a shield for the ECS.
Other than the steps above, you can also try the following unrelated to cannabis smoking-
- Don’t go to bed right after eating.
- Reduce or avoid beverages, coffee, alcohol, spicy food, and NSAIDs as much as possible.
- Wear somewhat loose-fitting clothes.
- Control your body weight.
- Don’t skip meals.
- Keep your hands clean.
FAQ:
Can smoking too much weed cause ulcers?
Yes, smoking weed is one of the prime reasons behind having ulcers. Most smokers face slight to extreme soreness in their stomachs. Smoking should be kept in moderation.
Can you smoke with a stomach ulcer?
Smoking with a stomach ulcer is a big no-no. The former is literally a cause for the latter. So, doing so will only allow the ulcer to get worse.
Can ulcers heal on their own?
Yes and no. Small ulcers can heal on their own. However, deep ones won’t do so quickly. They can also cause other issues. So, treatment will be necessary.
Conclusion
Stomach ulcer is not only uncomfortable, but they can also be quite severe. Cannabis and stomach pain are related. The cannabinoid bonds with the receptors of the endocannabinoids and causes ulcers to form. Keep that in mind when smoking, and contact a physician if your condition is not okay.
