Dear Doctor, I Have A Friend Who Exhibits The Following

Question : Dear doctor,

I have a friend who exhibits the following symptoms:

1. Lack of appetite;
2. Food when eaten without marijuana usage does not bring any pleasure and it is in very small amounts. Cannot eat large portions. Stomach feels empty, throat feels full;
3. Stomach sometimes feels like it has a burning coal that has been thrown there and it%E2%80%99s sizzling. This symptom is from time to time and lasts for only a minute;
4. Acid reflex when laying down.

The friend is 31 years old, male, regular size, 6 feet 2 and has been smoking marijuana for about 15 years with the last 2 years having daily usage. The food intake right now appears to be better only after he smokes marijuana. He had an ultrasound and gastroscopy done which did not show anything out of ordinary, no concerns in other words. Following the gastroscopy the doctor suggested that it could be stress and has prescribed him stress relieving pills which he takes. I assume it%E2%80%99s similar to Xanax. My friend has always been a nervous person, with nerves just kicking in due to something unpleasant or an issue. In addition, 4 years ago he was at a hospital treated for a pleural effusion where of course he was treated with heavy drugs.

Could his symptoms today be due to prolonged marijuana usage, stress pills or the effect of the hospital visit 4 years ago or is there something else that should be checked out?

I would greatly appreciate a response.

He is currently not taking any medications for acid reflux as it is not an everyday occurrence. Today it happened but it wouldn’t happen yesterday. He only takes pill medications and marijuana for stress relief.

Doctor,

Any reason why he would have increased acidity, and why would a prolonged use of cannabis have such a negative effect on his digestive system?