Cannabis Could Cure Incontinence Caused by Overactive Bladders

The positive effects of marijuana for the treatment of diseases like epilepsy and Alzheimer's were already known. A recent study published in Pub Med has now demonstrated that cannabigerol (CBG), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, could help to improve the conditions of people with overactive bladders.

Those who suffer from this problem lack bladder control due to a cerebral, spine or nerve disorder, with symptoms like urinary incontinence or the need to relieve themselves often in small quantities.  Marijuana could help to solve this bothersome situation, according to researchers at the University of Naples Federico II. The scientists verified that bladder contractions were reduced in the bladders of both mice and humans.

This is not the first time that science has reached this conclusion. A previous study at the University of Leicester already indicated that cannabis could be used to treat overactive bladders. A test on patients presenting neurogenic hyperactivity of the detrusor muscle (responsible for draining the bladder when it is contracted) caused by MS concluded that the administration of an extract containing a high level of THC relieved urinary incontinence by 25%.

In spite of the good results derived from THC, the researchers have sought to analyse possible treatments with CBG for the future, as an alternative to the psychoactive effect of tetrahydrocannabinol. They also tried with tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV, similar to THC), cannabidiol and cannabidivarin (CBDV), finding that all these cannabinoids improved bladder contraction too.

The new study demonstrates the need to continue investigating to develop new treatments with medical marijuana and to achieve, through cannabis consumption, improved states of health for those suffering from certain diseases.