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Hepatitis C (HCV) is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation and can often lead to serious liver damage. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 3 million Americans are living with Hepatitis C. Like many illnesses, viruses and conditions, some people are turning to medical marijuana to help alleviate the symptoms of chronic HCV infection and the unpleasant side effects associated with HCV medications.
Although the effects of medical cannabis on Hepatitis C continue to be studied and researched, patients with HCV often experience positive results while using medical marijuana.
What is Hepatitis C (HCV)?
Hepatitis C, a viral disease most often spread through contaminated blood, causes inflammation of the liver (Hepatitis). For some, the body may clear the virus in a matter of weeks. Others may not experience symptoms for decades and never know they are infected. And some may suffer from the condition chronically and experience significant damage to their liver or other serious medical problems.
Symptoms of acute Hepatitis C include:
Fever
Fatigue
Dark urine
Clay-colored stool
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Joint pain
Jaundice
However up to 80 percent of people with chronic HCV experience no symptoms at all. Some will manifest chronic fatigue and depression, and other will go on to develop diabetes, kidney disease, more severe liver disease including cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Blood tests can confirm the presence of antibodies to the virus (anti-HVC) and HCV particles (HCV RNA).
How Does Marijuana Help Symptoms of Hepatitis C?
The two main cannabinoids found in marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), bind with the body’s receptors (CB1 and CB2). Activation of the CB2 receptor creates an anti-inflammatory effect in your liver that decreases the severity of HCV symptoms.
That said, marijuana alone does not treat or cure Hepatitis C and is encouraged to be used in tandem with your prescribed medications. It also does not treat the complications that lead to liver disease and cirrhosis – although some research has shown that cannabis can have therapeutic effects for people with chronic liver diseases. However, evidence suggests that marijuana helps HCV patients with the side effects that come from the medications used to treat the virus.
What Hepatitis C Symptoms Does Marijuana Treat?
Antiviral medications are used to treat Hepatitis C and are typically taken anywhere from eight to 12 weeks. While taking these medications, patients often experience their unpleasant side effects such as:
Fatigue
Pain
Poor appetite
Inflammation
Significant weight loss
Nausea or vomiting
Because of these symptoms, people living with Hepatitis C often seek out alternative methods, like medical marijuana, to manage the side effects of the treatment. In turn, patients are also more likely to adhere to their treatment plans, causing them to be less likely to develop more serious, long-term liver diseases.
For example, cannabinoids, chemical compounds found within marijuana, are known to help combat nausea caused by pharmaceuticals. And in addition to easing the side effects of treatment, cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has anti-inflammatory effects that may help individuals with chronic liver diseases.
Is Medical Marijuana for Hepatitis C an Option in Your State?
The good news is, people living with Hepatitis C in Missouri can access medical marijuana to help ease the symptoms of the disease.
In three easy steps, you can be on the road to reduce the burden of the disease. ,
Step 1: Schedule an appointment with a marijuana doctor
Step 2: Complete your patient intake form and upload your medical records confirming your diagnosis
Step 3: With the doctor’s recommendation, you will receive your card from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Speaking with a Doctor
Research on marijuana as a treatment for HCV is still it the early stages, but initial responses have been positive. If you feel that marijuana as a treatment for your HCV sounds promising, discuss its use with a physician. Living with HCV and its side effects can be discouraging, but medical marijuana use is a promising tool to combat symptoms of the disease and prescription side-effects.
If you are a Missourian suffering from a qualifying condition, you may be eligible to treat your ailment with medical marijuana, which includes both THC and CBD products.
Click here to learn more about what Missouri Marijuana Card's certified medical marijuana physicians can do for you, or give us a call at 877-303-3117 and our friendly patient support team can walk you through the entire process, and set you up with an appointment through telemedicine.
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