Cannabis and the Kidneys

 

The kidneys, as a part of our digestive system, play a key role in the breaking down of food and the elimination of waste from our bodies. Renal disease or diseases that affect the kidney are increasingly widespread. Some of the causes for renal disease are insufficient hydration over long periods of time, chronic alcoholism, inactive lifestyles, incorrect diets, increased intake of toxic substances, and diabetes. Prolonged use of cocktails of pharmaceutical drugs are today among the leading causes of renal diseases.The manufacture of these pharmaceutical drugs itself contaminates our food and water supply, thus directly and indirectly harming our kidneys. In addition to this, the rampant use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in growing our food, and in our water sources, causes a serious threat to our kidney health when we consume it.

Many of us are familiar with the instructions of physicians to constantly hydrate oneself to protect the kidneys from damage. Many of us also admit that we neglect to hydrate ourselves sufficiently on a daily basis because we are so caught up with other things that we just forget this most crucial aspect of our lives. Any cannabis user will tell you that one of the first effects one feels is an urge to wet one's mouth and throat. Drinking water is almost an unconscious next step after consuming cannabis. 

It is said that a healthy person should urinate at least 5-6 times a day to keep the kidneys healthy. So in addition to staying hydrated, urinating adequately is another aspect of kidney health. Studies in the past carried out by the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission of 1893-94 associate diuretic properties with cannabis. The Report Of The Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1893-94 states that: "464. The diuretic action of bhang is mentioned in connection with the treatment of gonorrhœa. The diuresis which is popularly supposed to be induced by administration of an infusion of bhang is in accord with Dr. Russell's experiments (Bengal witness No. 105) which are appended to his paper. In these experiments Dr. Russell found that the leaves both from mature and immature plants, whether fresh or dry, and used as a drink or smoked with tobacco, produced diuresis; but Dr. Russell does not appear to have noticed diuresis following the smoking of ganja. These experiments were made in 1883. Subsequently some supplementary experiments were conducted by Dr. Russell, which are embodied in Dr. Prain's Report on the "Cultivation and use of ganja." In the précis of his experiments, Dr. Russell states: " The only marked effect was diuresis from drinking infusions of fresh (not dried) leaves and stems." In his oral examination before the Commission, Dr. Russell repeated that the dried leaves had no marked diuretic effect. The diuresis was the most marked effect of the fresh leaves. The difference in the action of the fresh and dry leaves is no doubt due, as suggested by Dr. Russell, to the escape of a volatile principle, this volatile principle being, no doubt, a volatile oil. Many volatile oils are well known to possess diuretic properties. It is to the presence of the volatile oil of juniper that that well-known domestic diuretic gin owes its properties. The higher the temperature at which the leaves are dried, the smaller would be the amount of retained essential oil; but the practical point is the desirableness of using only fresh leaves when the diuretic effect of the drug is required. The flowering tops are known to contain a volatile oil, and the diuresis which follows the exhibition of the extract which is prepared from ganja has been specially noted by Prof. C. H. Wood. The volatile oil present in the flowers is probably a mixture of low and high boiling point oils; in preparing the extract the low boiling point oil escapes, the peculiar odour of the finished extract being due to the retention more or less of the high boiling point fraction."

 

The conclusions of the above study seem to indicate that this action is associated only with the fresh leaves of the plant used as bhang, and not with the dried flowers or ganja. The report seems to say that burning of the dried ganja removes the diuretic properties. On a personal level however, I have experienced the diuretic effects after smoking ganja. I have not used bhang much. In this regard I can say that, personally, these effects exist even in the dried flowers and resin, and are not restricted to the fresh leaves. The cannabinoids that are present in the fresh leaves are present in even greater concentration in the flowers and resin.

Then there is the purgative action of cannabis when it comes to eliminating stool through smooth bowel movements. Excreting faeces properly is as important to kidney health as is urinating, as this prevents the accumulation of toxins in the body, leading to kidney damage. Any experienced cannabis user will wax eloquently about how smoothly and regularly bowel movements happen. As reinforcement for this fact, we can see the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission state in its report that - "Some witnesses refer to the purgative action; it is quite possible that a chillum of ganja may act in the same way as the morning pipe does with many Europeans."

The anti-bacterial properties of cannabis may contribute to a reduced occurrence of urinary tract infections (UTI), as well as irritable bowel disease (IBD). The digestive system is one of the key areas with high concentrations of endocannabinoid receptors in the human body. Optimal digestive health also includes optimal renal health.

 

The skin is also a key area of endocannabinoid receptor concentration in the human body. Not only does healthy skin prevent the entry of toxins into the body, it also plays a key role in the elimination of toxins from the body through the process of perspiration. Both these processes ensure that the kidney does not have to bear the additional burden of processing these toxins.

 

Besides the direct benefits accrued through the diuretic effects of cannabis, there are the indirect benefits of its usage. These are in no way insignificant, as they reduce the harms of a number of key factors that cause kidney damage. The usage of cannabis reduces the usage of alcohol and synthetic pharmaceutical drugs - legal and illegal, leads to a more wholesome and healthy lifestyle, with plenty of exercise and less obesity, more wholesome food and hydration, as well as regulating insulin production to control diabetes. The relief from fatigue that one experiences may also have a connection with the functioning of the kidneys. 

 

Then there are the environmental factor that contribute to kidney damage. Cannabis, as an agricultural crop, can be grown by completely eliminating chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The cannabis crop, growing which has vast environmental benefits, can be used as natural medicine, intoxicant, food, beverage, cosmetics, wellness, textiles, fiber, paper, biodegradable plastics, to name just a few. 

 

Thus, in a holistic manner as well, cannabis can help prevent the occurrence of renal disease by promoting a natural, active and healthy lifestyle, and a clean environment. 

Related articles

The following list of articles taken from various media speak about the above subject. Words in italics are the thoughts of yours truly at the time of reading the article. 

 

 

'Results: In the whole sample (N=42; 9 females; mean 28.7 years old), we found five persons (12%; 95% confidence interval [2.1–21.7%]) with a mild kidney dysfunction (GFR; 86–75mL/min). These persons (two females), however, had reported a stronger nicotine misuse. Furthermore, we found no significant association between the study-populations' GFR and reported cannabis burden (median daily use 2.5g for 36 months, moderate general symptom-load). Most remarkably, the GFR was also not significantly correlated with the serum cannabinoid-levels.

Conclusion: Chronic recreational cannabis-use (including its related discomfort) did not affect the kidney function of our almost selectively “cannabis-burdened” population in a relevant manner.'

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2021.0086

 

'Highlights

- personal cannabis is commonly used among persons with Multiple Sclerosis
- patterns of use, dosing, frequency and mode of delivery are diverse among survey respondents
- cannabis was associated with improved bladder symptoms when used specifically for bladder symptoms
- cannabis was associated with improved bladder symptoms even when not being used specifically for bladder symptoms'

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211034821003722

'Results: As a result, body weight gain, epididymal, and perirenal adipose tissue decreased in the CSSF (Cannabis sativa seed Flour) group in both doses (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) compared to the HCD. CSSF lowered serum glucose level elevated by HCD. For lipid profiles, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG) significantly decreased in the CSSF group. The histopathological results of this study showed a regenerative effect of CSSF on the kidney and liver tissues.

Conclusion: It is concluded from the present study that CSSF can be used as a natural anti-obesity agent.'

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bouarfa_Mouna2/publication/345396297_ANTI-OBESITY_EFFECT_OF_CANNABIS_SATIVA_SEED_FLOUR_FROM_KHLALFA_OF_TAOUNATE_REGION_NORTHERN_OF_MOROCCO_IN_HIGH_CALORIC_DIET-INDUCED_OBESE_MICE/links/5fa6f00092851cc2869d76ec/ANTI-OBESITY-EFFECT-OF-CANNABIS-SATIVA-SEED-FLOUR-FROM-KHLALFA-OF-TAOUNATE-REGION-NORTHERN-OF-MOROCCO-IN-HIGH-CALORIC-DIET-INDUCED-OBESE-MICE.pdf

'Results: Of 100 patients enrolled into the study, 61 were male with a mean age of 34.01 ± 14.65 years and 39 were female with a mean age of 40.6 ± 7.49 years. Sixty-five patients survived (Table 1). Mean hospitalization period was 2.69 ± 2.12 h (range; 30 min to 5.5 h) and 94.7 ± 40.4 h in non-survivors and survivors, respectively. The most common cause of poisoning was drug overdose in 78 patients.

 Discussion: [L]actate concentration. However, lactate concentration is an established prognostic marker for the evaluation of patients with elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis, selected drug overdoses (metformin and acetaminophen), selected chronic drug toxicities (stadivudine), and chemical poisoning (aluminum phosphide and cyanide).

 As the report of national drug and poisoning information center of Iran provided, 60% of all contacts per year are related to poisoning. Lactic acidosis is the condition where lactate concentration increase instantly to more than 5 mmol/dL. Type A lactic acidosis occurs in oxygen distribution dysfunction due to hypotension or cyanosis. Type B lactic acidosis occurs in sepsis, liver dysfunction, diabetes, and drugs such as biguanides, acetaminophen, and sorbitol.

 Creatine kinase supplies energy in body organs with different types in brain (CK1), myocardium (CK2), and muscle (CK3) whose change is considered to be due to organ damages. Usually, existence of CK in blood defines the organ injuries including myocardial infarctions, rhabdomyolysis, autoimmune myositis, and kidney injuries.'
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7191820/

'Contrary to concerns that the use of marijuana would have a negative impact on transplant outcomes, there weren’t any noticeable differences between the groups that could be attributed to cannabis. Long-term kidney function was virtually the same and there were no discernible differences in pre- or post-operation characteristics, either.

The study, published Thursday in the Clinical Kidney Journal, concluded that it could help “increase the donor pool” if institutions start to consider allowing kidney transplants from cannabis consuming donors.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-use-doesnt-affect-outcome-of-kidney-transplants-study-finds/


'Based on studies conducted in patients without renal impairment, those treated with nonsynthetic cannabinoids were 43% to 300% more likely to report a =30% reduction in chronic neuropathic pain compared with placebo. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend nonsynthetic cannabinoids for other medical indications, although preliminary investigation into topical endocannabinoids for uremia-induced pruritus in end-stage renal disease is promising.'
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2054358119828391


The investigators did not find any association between current or past marijuana use and impaired kidney function. There was no statistically significant association between history of marijuana use and the likelihood of developing stage 2 or greater chronic kidney disease. Likewise, they did not observe a statistically significant association between the history of marijuana use and the incidence of microalbuminuria, a moderate increase in the level of urine albumin and a marker of kidney disease.
https://www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/research-and-journals/no-link-between-current-or-previous-marijuana-use-and-kidney-disease,-say-researchers


'Users smoke or inhale synthetic pot through vaporizers, and the resulting high roughly mimics the effects of marijuana but with much harsher side effects, including heart attacks, strokes and kidney damage. Synthetic drug users also sometimes become so delusional and violent that restraining them requires multiple people and the use of antipsychotics.'

'The fisheries of fresh and salt water are a resource of great importance, involving the interests and the welfare of a very large number of people. That they are now seriously threatened by the chemicals entering our waters can no longer be doubted. If we could divert to constructive research even a small fraction of the money spent each year on the development of even more toxic sprays, we could find ways to use less dangerous materials and to keep poisons out of our waterways. When will the public become sufficiently aware of the facts to demand such action? - Silent Spring, Rachel Carson, 1962


'In short the Department of Agriculture embarked on its program without even elementary investigation of what was already known about the chemical to be used - or if it investigated, it ignored the findings. It must also have failed to do the preliminary research to discover the minimum amount of the chemical that would accomplish its purpose. After three years of heavy dosages, it abruptly reduced the rate of application of heptachlor from 2 pounds to 1 and 1/4 pounds per acre in 1959; later on to 1/2 pound per acre, applied in two treatments of 1/4 pound each, 3 to 6 months apart. An official of the Department explained that 'an aggressive methods improvement program' showed the lower rate to be effective. Had this information been acquired before the program was launched, a vast amount of damage could have been avoided and the taxpayers could have been saved a great deal of money.' - Silent Spring, Rachel Carson, 1962  


'This system, however - deliberately poisoning our food, then policing the result - is too reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's White Knight who thought of 'a plan to dye one's whiskers green, and always use so large a fan that they could not be seen.' The ultimate answer is to use less toxic chemicals so that the public hazard from their misuse is greatly reduced.' - Silent Spring, Rachel Carson, 1962


'We know that even single exposures to these chemicals, if the amount is large enough, can precipitate acute poisoning. But this is not the major problem. The sudden illness or death of farmers, spraymen, pilots, and others exposed to appreciable quantities of pesticides are tragic and should not occur. For the population as a whole, we must be more concerned with the delayed effects of absorbing small amounts of pesticides that invisibly contaminate our world.

Responsible public health officials have pointed out that the biological effects of chemicals are cumulative over long periods of time, and that the hazard to the individual may depend on the sum of the exposures recieved throughout his lifetime. For these very reasons the danger is easily ignored. It is human nature to shrug off what may seem to us a vague threat of future disaster. 'Men are naturally most impressed by disease which have obvious manifestations.' says a wise physician, Dr. Rene Dubos, 'yet some of their worst enemies creep on them unobtrusively.' - Silent Spring, Rachel Carson, 1962


'I lay there trying to control the fear. I did not know much about uremic poisoning. A woman I knew slightly in Texas died of it after drinking a bottle of beer every hour, night and day, for two weeks. Rollins had told me about it. "She swelled up and turned sorta black and went into convulsions and died. The whole house smelled like piss!"' - Junky, William S Burroughs, 1977, originally published in 1953