It was about three months of various dosage experimentation when I began to feel a physiological change. This feeling is hard to describe, it was an internal sense of well-being. Within a few days I noticed that my gut pain and symptoms were fading away. The morning came when I noticed that the bleeding had subsided by over fifty percent! I was excited but also maintained a wait and see position of not celebrating just yet. The following morning, I was almost without symptoms and the next day it was as if a flare had never occurred.

I’m not an overly emotional person, but this amazing turn of events instilled a deep sense of gratitude. The anguish I went through during that period of pain, fear, and insomnia was almost too much to bear. The sense of freedom and health that I had longed for was now real and the nightmare was over. Aside from being unbelievably relieved, I was still trying to contemplate and understand what had just happened. I read through my journal and considered all the trial runs and attempts that were made during this three-month period. I was taken aback by the thought of what if I had thrown in the towel a week or two too early? I would have never known this outcome was waiting for me. I highlighted the page that was titled complete remission, it contains the exact formula I used for myself. The need for this information was critical for the future of my health journey.

In this post I will cover how my body experienced remission by using cannabis. When I first started this experiment, I didn’t know how it would work for individuals with auto-immune conditions. Online research revealed to me that the body is equipped with an endocannabinoid system, which regulates other systems and organs in the body including inflammatory response. THC influences cb1 receptors in the nervous system and brain, while CBD targets cb2 receptors primarily located in the immune system. The thought of a natural remedy that didn’t give me any side effects apart from a calmer mind sounded too good to be true. Even though I had my doubts, I knew there were no pharmaceutical options for me and I had nothing to lose by trying. This was during my last flare which had me at 116 lbs. I was looking as if I had been in a prison camp or as a castaway stranded on an island.

Every case that I had read about where someone achieved remission involved the use of both CBD and THC. These and other cannabinoids in the plant have a synergistic effect when taken together. I was relieved to know that targeting my gut would mean that CBD would be the primary component used in this trial. In my young adult years, I used THC based cannabis for recreation but now prefer the non-stimulating effects of CBD. Up until this point I had only heard of cannabis being used for pain, headaches, and certain neurological conditions. The thought of it stabilizing auto-immune related gastrointestinal bleeding was foreign to me.

The main story that caught my attention and gave me hope was about a kid named Coltyn Turner. When I saw on YouTube the state that he was in prior to trying cannabis oil I said to myself, “That’s you right now.” Seemingly without hope I was doing everything I could to avoid life changing surgery. I was immediately reminded of what my Gastroenterologist had told me several years earlier about a patient of his that had success with cannabis. I did try a CBD based oil tincture at the time and felt a mild calming effect but not the slightest benefit towards my gut. I decided after less than a week that it wasn’t going to work for me, not knowing it would work in the future under the right circumstances.

The method of cannabis absorption and dosages will yield different outcomes. I proceeded to try cannabis oil and follow both what Coltyn had done along with others that used this option. I followed the legal process in California and visited a few dispensaries with many questions. My first attempt was with a 1:1 ratio of CBD/THC oil which contained half of each cannabinoid in the bottle. One challenge was that I had no idea of what the correct dosage or frequency should be. I reminded myself that I’ve done these types of tests with food and supplements, so experimentation was nothing new to me. The difference was that with food or supplements I typically knew within twenty-four hours if it was beneficial or not. In the case of cannabis, I would have to be patient and consider every angle that pertains to this unfamiliar therapeutic approach.

Entry level math would be needed if I was going to be able to make sense of the results. This was necessary so that I could have an idea of what dosages had a positive effect. The tincture bottle contained 900mg of total cannabinoid content split into halves of 450mg between CBD and THC in a 30ml quantity. I used simple division to determine how much content was in one ml and used that as the basis of how I would calculate my dosage. I also began a new journal dedicated to this experiment. I started with the lowest dose of .25ml before meals and eventually worked my way up to 2ml per day. I tried both sublingual administration under the tongue along with ingestion through capsules I made with the oil. During this time, I noticed a definite reduction in pain and stress, but the flare persisted.

A useful piece of information that I read was that it appeared each individual may require different dosages, depending on what condition they were trying to treat. I also learned that cannabis absorption and bioavailability depended on the method of intake that was chosen. The form of inhalation or smoking had the greatest absorption rate by far, which was a selling point for me. I decided this would be the next phase of my experiment. I quickly found out that vaping cartridges was an option that allowed me to target potent CBD dominant forms of cannabis. I was hesitant at first because of negative stories in the news regarding serious health concerns with vaping incidents. After some time and careful research, I came to a swift conclusion on this matter. All those cases were with products that were not regulated and tested by the high standards that licensed dispensaries must follow.

I was able to calculate accurate dosing estimates from this method of absorption. Once I used a ¼ of the product, it became my reference point based on the total content. This allowed me to gauge how many milligrams were used each day and what results were observed from it. I used this therapy before and after each meal and even sometimes in between meals. My motivation was the desire to regain the social life I had prior to this diagnosis.

I will restate what I previously mentioned in the fact that I believe the right formula for everyone is unique. Some need more than others and the method that is used to administer it, matters as well. This is why many who have tried this therapy for chronic inflammation either felt nothing or mild pain relief that did not resolve the issue. This corresponds with what I have observed in my life and in others who have shared similar experiences.

Autoimmune related inflammation is a complex puzzle with several pieces to consider. I don’t believe that a therapeutic dosage of cannabis will work for everyone. For those who are curious or desperate to try this route, they should know that a great deal of persistence and observation is required.

What I have come to learn through this treatment is that my body requires around 140mg of CBD and 3mg of THC to maintain remission. Through recent years I have continued experimentation with dosages and discovered that lowering them can lead to a flare. I now use edible forms of CBD therapy primarily over inhalation. Grains such as wheat or rice would risk my health prior to this change, I can now eat them freely without issues. My auto-immune response remains subdued under heavy stressful moments that would’ve normally caused a flare to occur. It is still possible to feel mild painless sensations that go away quickly and without any form of negative physical effects. Numerous lifestyle changes have enhanced my immune system in my health journey since using cannabis.

Here is a link that provides deep insight into the endocannabinoid system and the role cannabis has in auto-immune related inflammation.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6727090/

I want to remind all my readers who have health challenges, or know someone who does, that the darkest moments can be defining moments. If you’re in a hard spot know that this chapter of your life will pass, and that pain shouldn’t be wasted. I wish everyone to possess the determination and knowledge needed towards their healing. You can become a better person through this process and help others, if you persevere. Press on!