Study: Cannabis Can Help Sufferers of Overactive Bladders

It seems that the number of syndromes and illnesses that marijuana can aid with is growing by the day as more and more research is done to show the medicinal properties of the federally illegal substance. And now a new study has released research that may link cannabis use to mitigating bladder control issues.

The new study does not focus directly on the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) most commonly known as the chemical in cannabis that creates the iconic “high” sensation in users. Instead, it focuses on how a different, non-psychoactive cannabinoid, cannabigerol (CBG) can actually reduce the number of involuntary contractions a human’s bladder goes through.

Published in Natural Product Communications, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, the study involved scientists administering different kinds of cannabinoids and cannabis compounds into test mice in order to determine the effect they had on the contractility of their bladders. According to the notes from the study, the researchers tested the mice not only with CBG, but also cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabidicarin (CBDV). The results show that CBG actually had the highest levels of treating overactive bladders by aiding the body in controlling the number of unnecessary contractions to the bladder. Following CBG, in terms of efficacy, comes THCV, followed by CBD and then finally CBDV.

After performing the tests on lab mice, the researchers then moved forward to see if the same results applied to human beings and their bladders. When the same compounds were adminsitered to human patients suffering from overactive bladders, the researchers found that “CBG also reduced acetylcholine-induced contractions in the human bladder.”

This study can be linked to research conducted in the 2013 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists who were focusing on marijuana’s effects on patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis and Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity, which is characterized by a disconnect between the nervous system and the bladder. This leads to bouts of overactive bladder problems, which can be not only embarrassing but essentially life-altering.

The results from this 2013 study found that when cannabis compound extracts were high in THC content, there was at least a 25 percent improvement in bladder control. And while only a quarter of improvement might not seem significant, it truly does matter to those who suffer from the syndrome.

For someone who suffers from an overactive bladder, life can seem to be based around when and where they will be able to visit the restroom to relieve the pressure, pain and discomfort of constantly feeling as though they are about to urinate. If one out of every four of these episodes were to be removed from their daily lives by taking a cannabis compound every day, not only could their quality of life be improved, it could also assist them in working towards a more complete recovery.

According to the American Urological Association, anywhere from 7 to 27 percent of men and 9 to 43 percent of women suffer from problems related to overactive bladders. Current treatments for these problems can cost a great deal of money for both surgical procedures and prescription medications, forcing patients who suffer from overactive bladders to shell out thousands of dollars a year just to be able to live a normal life like everyone else.

With the new research being released about how CGB and other cannabis compounds are able to assist patients with overactive bladders, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for the future. Instead of having to rely on pharmaceutical medications and surgeries, which not only are expensive but can be quite painful to go through, patients could now rely on the option of cannabis compounds which have less negative side effects and cost significantly less.

The medical possibilities for cannabis could be endless with all the healing characteristics of its natural compounds. And now, we can add overactive bladder control to the ever-growing list of medical uses for cannabis.

Do you use cannabis as medicine? Share your story in the comments.