Volunteers needed for study into cannabis and IBS

Australian medical cannabis company Emyria is looking for volunteers for a clinical trial into the treatment of IBS with medical cannabis.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an illness that impacts 1 in every 5 Australians. It’s characterised by abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. While most people with IBS can manage these symptoms with conventional medicines, treatments are not effective for everyone. 

That’s where medical cannabis comes in.

Previous pre-clinical and initial clinical studies into IBS have shown that cannabis can provide relief from some IBS symptoms. To build on this body of research, Emyria is looking to begin a clinical trial with Australian IBS sufferers. 

The studies principal investigator Dr. Alistair Vickery hopes the study will measure the safety and efficacy of oral medicinal cannabis when used in the management of IBS, writing: 

Sufferers of IBS have been looking for more effective solutions to their pain and symptoms, and we hope this trial will establish a clearer path to giving them relief.

It will also pave the way for treatment guidelines and drug composition.

Emyria is looking for participants over the 18 who have experienced IBS for over 6 months. Participants must have tried other treatments but continued to experience symptoms. 

Volunteers will be asked to attend an Emerald Clinic once a month for three months for a consultation, as well as check-in weekly from home. Emyria are recruiting volunteers in NSW and Victoria. 

You can find more information on the Emerald Clinics study here.