Author: Frank Schuler

CBD Associated With Sickle Cell Disease Patient Pain Alleviation

Written by Frank Schuler on August 28, 2023. Posted in Science.

Sickle cell disease is a condition involving a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that affect hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen throughout the body. International researchers estimate that as many as 20 million people have the condition globally.

For people that do not suffer from sickle cell disease, their red blood cells move easily through blood vessels due to their disc-like shape. However, the red blood cells of sickle cell disease patients are crescent or “sickle” shaped. They do not move through blood vessels easily and can block blood flow in a patient’s body. That blocked blood flow can lead to serious health conditions including stroke and chronic pain.

A team of researchers in France recently examined CBD administered orally and how it make affect sickle cell disease patients. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Paris, France: The daily consumption of oral CBD is associated with dramatic improvements in chronic pain due to sickle cell disease (SCD), according to a case report published in the American Journal of Hematology.

French researchers reported on the use of synthetic CBD in a 15-year-old SCD patient suffering from chronic refractory pain in his spine, thorax, and knee. Prior to CBD treatment, the patient had required prolonged hospitalizations due to chronic pain.

Following two weeks of CBD treatment, the patient experienced “a complete regression of pain.” During 10 months of treatment, the patient did not require any further hospitalizations.
Authors concluded: “We report here for the first time a case of refractory chronic pain with dramatic improvement after CBD treatment in an adolescent with SCD. … As it seems to be a well-tolerated drug, CBD could represent a promising therapeutic perspective for patients with SCD suffering from chronic pain.”

Survey data indicates that patients with SCD often consume cannabis for symptom management. Clinical trial data published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that the short-term use of vaporized cannabis in SCD patients is associated with improved mood and may also mitigate symptoms of SCD-related pain. Other studies have reported that SCD patients who consume cannabis are less likely to require hospitalization as compared to those who do not.

Full text of the study, “Dramatic efficacy of cannabidiol on refractory chronic pain in an adolescent with sickle cell disease,” appears in the American Journal of Hematology.

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Plant-Derived Cannabinoids Effective For Anxiety And PTSD According To Australian Study

Written by Frank Schuler on August 22, 2023. Posted in Science.

Anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are two of the most common health conditions found around the globe. International researchers estimate that hundreds of millions of people live with anxiety to some degree every day.

Additionally, hundreds of millions more people around the world suffer from PTSD to some degree, with many PTSD patients also being diagnosed with anxiety. Both conditions on their own can be unbearable, and suffering from both of them at the same time can be debilitating in extreme cases.

More and more anxiety and PTSD patients are turning to the cannabis plant for relief, and according to a recent study in Australia, plant-derived cannabinoids are an effective form of treatment. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Sydney, Australia: Patients diagnosed with anxiety and/or post-traumatic stress respond favorably to medical cannabis treatment, according to observational study data published in the Journal of Pharmacy Technology.

A team of Australian investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of oral cannabinoid formulations (either tinctures or capsules) containing various ratios of THC and CBD in 198 patients with anxiety disorders. The median doses consumed by study participants were 50.0 mg/day for CBD and 4.4 mg/day for THC. (Australian law permits physicians to authorize cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional prescription treatments.)

Researchers reported, “The total participant sample reported significantly improved anxiety, depression, fatigue, and ability to take part in social roles and activities.”

Among the subset of subjects diagnosed specifically with post-traumatic stress, cannabis therapy similarly “improved anxiety, depression, fatigue, and social abilities,” with CBD-dominant formulations exhibiting the greatest efficacy.

The most common adverse events experienced by participants were dry mouth, somnolence, and fatigue.

The findings are consistent with those of recent observational studies from the United Kingdom which similarly showed that cannabis therapy was safe and effective for patients with generalized anxiety and post-traumatic stress.

Full text of the study, “The effectiveness and the adverse events of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol used in the treatment of anxiety disorders in a PTSD population: An interim analysis of an observational study,” appears in the Journal of Pharmacy Technology. Additional information on cannabis and post-traumatic stress is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

Dystonia Patients Benefit From Inhaled Cannabis According To Survey

Written by Frank Schuler on August 13, 2023. Posted in Science.

Dystonia is a condition involving involuntary muscle contractions that sometimes cause repetitive or twisting movements by the suffering patient. The condition can affect one or more parts of the suffering patient’s body, and in extreme cases, it can affect the patient’s entire body.

As of 2021, researchers estimated “the global prevalence of dystonia to be 16.43 per 100,000, although work to date suggests that this may vary geographically. Northern European countries, the USA, and Colombia have higher rates of prevalence than those observed in Asia and Southern Europe.”

Current treatments for dystonia include pharmaceutical drugs, injections, and physical therapy. Many dystonia patients are turning to the cannabis plant for relief, and according to a recent survey of patients, inhaling cannabis is effective. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Tel Aviv, Israel: Patients diagnosed with dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions) report experiencing therapeutic benefits from smoking cannabis, according to data published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology.

Israeli researchers surveyed 23 dystonia patients authorized to use medical cannabis products. (Cannabis is legal in certain circumstances in Israel under a doctor’s supervision.) Participants in the study had used cannabis for, on average, a period of nearly three years. Patients provided numerical ratings commensurate with their symptoms.

Patients reported that inhaled cannabis was associated with a reduction in dystonia symptoms and with improvements in their overall quality of life.

Those patients diagnosed with generalized dystonia perceived greater benefits than did those with more focal dystonia patterns. Patients reported smoking cannabis to be far more effective than consuming oil extracts. The most commonly reported side effects from cannabis were dry mouth, sedation, and dizziness.

“Our real-life observational single-center study suggests that MC [medical cannabis] may provide benefits for some patients with dystonia, particularly those with more widespread or generalized forms of the condition,” researchers concluded. “THC-containing MC products may be a promising starting point for further research into the therapeutic benefits of CBM [cannabis-based medicines] for dystonia in patients with widespread symptoms.”

Separate data has shown that cannabis inhalation improves pain and movement control in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Full text of the study, “A single-center real-life study on the use of cannabis in patients with dystonia,” appears in Frontiers in Neurology.

Cannabis Consumers Possess Reduced Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes Per Iranian Study

Written by Frank Schuler on August 5, 2023. Posted in Science.

Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest health issues facing the planet today. Researchers estimated that as of 2017, over 460 million patients were affected by type 2 diabetes, which corresponds to about 6.28% of the world’s population.

According to the same researchers, “Over 1 million deaths per year can be attributed to diabetes alone, making it the ninth leading cause of mortality.” The problem is increasing year over year, particularly in Western Europe, and gender distribution of the condition is equal.

It goes without saying that lowering a person’s risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is very important. Researchers in Iran recently conducted a meta-analysis and concluded that cannabis consumers possess a lowered risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Tabriz, Iran: Adults with a history of cannabis use are less likely than non-consumers to develop type 2 diabetes, according to data published in the journal Phytotherapy Research. A team of Iranian investigators performed a meta-analysis of the relevant literature, including 11 surveys and four cohorts consisting of more than 478,000 subjects. They reported, “[T]he odds of developing T2DM [type 2 diabetes] in individuals exposed to cannabis was 0.48 times lower than in those without cannabis exposure.”

Authors speculated that cannabis may possess “protective effects” against the development of diabetes, but they cautioned against drawing any definitive conclusions absent additional studies.

“To our knowledge, our meta-analysis presents the … most up-to-date evidence on the association between cannabis consumption and T2DM,” they concluded. “Given the rising trend of cannabis consumption, and legalization of cannabis consumption there is an increasing need to design prospective longitudinal randomized studies investigating the honest effects of cannabis consumption and providing practical guidelines to manage cannabis usage.”

Several prior observational studies have identified a correlation between cannabis use and lower odds of obesity and adult-onset diabetes, while clinical trial data has shown that the administration of THCV is associated with improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetics. Placebo-controlled trial data published earlier this year reported that the use of plant-derived cannabinoid extracts significantly improves blood sugar and cholesterol levels in diabetic subjects.

Full text of the study, “Association between cannabis use and risk of diabetes mellitus type 2: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” appears in Phytotherapy Research. Additional information on cannabinoids and diabetes is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

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Users Of Unregulated Opioids Frequently Turn To Cannabis For Cravings Reduction

Written by Frank Schuler on August 5, 2023. Posted in Science.

The opioid epidemic affects nearly every corner of the world. The War on Drugs is an absolute failure, make no mistake about that. However, opioid addiction is still a very serious issue and governments all over the planet are struggling to deal with the negative public health consequences of it.

This may sound obvious, but the best way to get people off of opioids, particularly unregulated opioids, is to get them to stop using them. Unfortunately, the approach by many governments has historically been incarceration, and that is not an effective way to deal with the problem as proven by no decline in usage rates throughout prohibition.

The cannabis plant has shown promise as a substitute for opioids, and a recent study in Canada found that self-reported unregulated opioid product users ‘frequently’ turn to cannabis to reduce their cravings. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Vancouver, Canada: Those who consume unregulated opioids frequently report using cannabis to mitigate their drug cravings, according to data published in the International Journal of Drug Policy.

Canadian investigators assessed cannabis use trends among a cohort of 205 consumers of non-prescription opioids. Many of the cohort were IV drug users and at-risk youth.

Nearly half of the study’s participants (45 percent) acknowledged using cannabis to manage opioid cravings. Of those, 62 percent “reported self-assessed decreases in opioid use during periods of cannabis use.” Subjects suffering from chronic pain were most likely to engage in opioid substitution.

Authors concluded: “In the present study, we observed that cannabis use to manage opioid cravings was significantly associated with self-assessed decreases in opioid use during periods of cannabis use among a structurally marginalized population of PWUD [people who use unregulated opioids]. The sub-analysis indicated that this association was mainly driven by those living with moderate to severe pain. … This suggests that future studies of cannabis substitution for opioid use should measure and analyze the impact of pain, as not doing so may lead to equivocal findings when the effects of cannabis substitution may vary based on the prevalence of chronic pain.”

Although numerous studies indicate that patients typically decrease their use of prescription opioids after initiating cannabis therapy, data regarding the relationship between cannabis use and non-prescription opioids is less consistent. According to a 2020 review paper: “Growing pre-clinical and clinical evidence appears to support the use of cannabis … to combat OUD [opioid use disorder]. The evidence summarized in this article demonstrates the potential cannabis has to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms, reduce opioid consumption, ameliorate opioid cravings, prevent opioid relapse, improve OUD treatment retention, and reduce overdose deaths. … The compelling nature of these data and the relative safety profile of cannabis warrant further exploration of cannabis as an adjunct or alternative treatment for OUD.”

Full text of the study, “Cannabis use to manage opioid cravings among people who use unregulated opioids during a drug toxicity crisis,” appears in the International Journal of Drug Policy. Additional information is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Relationship Between Marijuana and Opioids.’

Advancing The Cannabinoid Scientific Landscape

Written by Frank Schuler on August 5, 2023. Posted in Science.

The field of cannabinoid research is advancing, with new discoveries being made about the potential therapeutic benefits of these compounds. However, for these discoveries to be translated into effective treatments for patients, it is essential that proper due diligence is done, and well-designed clinical trials programs are initiated.

In this presentation from the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, Terry O’Regan, President of Brains Bioceutical, discusses the course, challenges, considerations, and rewards for advancing the cannabinoid scientific research landscape.

We look forward to seeing you in Berlin in 2024, as well as at our upcoming science and technology event in Slovenia this September!

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Cannabis Doesn’t Negatively Impact Liver Transplant Patient Survival Outcomes

Written by Frank Schuler on August 5, 2023. Posted in Science.

In many parts of the world, if someone consumes cannabis, they are not eligible for a liver transplant. It’s a tough situation, in that patients in need of a liver transplant are obviously suffering, and many use medical cannabis products for relief. However, they are forced to refrain from using their medicine, even if it’s effective, in order to get the transplant.

While it is unknown how many patients around the world are in the previously described situation, even one patient being in that situation is one too many. Members of the medical community often cite ‘potential negative consequences’ as the reason for the transplant prohibition. A recent study in Canada will hopefully help change that. Below is more information via a news release from NORML:

Ottawa, Canada: A history of cannabis use is not negatively associated with survival rates among patients receiving liver transplants, according to data published in the Canadian Liver Journal.

Canadian researchers reviewed the relevant literature on cannabis use and transplantation survival rates. Eight studies involving over 5,500 subjects were included in the review.

Authors determined, “[C]annabis use has not been associated with poor patient outcomes in terms of 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survivals. Therefore, liver transplant candidates who use cannabis should not be denied access to transplantation.”

Their findings are consistent with those of several other studies concluding that marijuana use is not contraindicated in patients receiving organ transplants. Nonetheless, in several states – including some states that permit medical cannabis access – those with a history of marijuana use are ineligible to receive organ transplants.

Full text of the study, “Review of liver transplantation candidacy and outcomes among patients who use cannabis,” appears in the Canadian Liver Journal.

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Cannabis Spray Effective For Refractory Back And Neck Pain Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on August 2, 2023. Posted in Science.

People experiencing pain in the neck and/or back is very common around the world. Over 7.5% of the world’s global population suffers from lower back pain alone, and hundreds of millions more people suffer from varying levels of neck pain.

In addition to the pain experienced by suffering patients, which can be extreme in some cases, the costs of treating the ailments for both the patient and society are considerable. A study in 2017 found that just in the United States alone, neck and back conditions cost $88 billion a year.

An increasing number of suffering neck and back patients are turning to cannabis products for relief and a recent study in Australia found that cannabis spray in particular is an effective treatment method. Below is more about it via a news release from NORML:

Sydney, Australia: The oral administration of a cannabinoid spray containing standardized ratios of THC and CBD produces clinically significant reductions in pain among patients with chronic back and neck pain, according to open-label trial data published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Australian researchers assessed the safety and efficacy of an oromucosal spray containing 10 mg of THC and 25 mg of CBD in a cohort of 28 patients with moderate to severe back or neck pain. Participants in the study were unresponsive to over-the-counter non-opioid analgesics. Patients administered escalating doses of the spray daily for four weeks.

Investigators documented decreases in patients’ pain at even the lowest doses. Patients experienced further reductions in pain and improvements in mood in a dose-dependent manner over the course of the trial. Overall, side-effects from the spray were mild and well-tolerated.

“There were significant reductions in pain [at] all doses,” authors concluded. “There was also a reduction in pain interference in all domains including general activity, mood, walking ability, normal work, relationships, sleep, and enjoyment of life by dose.”

Australian law permits physicians to authorize cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional prescription treatments.

Full text of the study, “Tolerability and efficacy of a 10:25 preparation of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol for treatment of chronic back or neck pain: A multiple-dose escalation study,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Additional information on cannabis and chronic pain is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

Over 25% Of French ALS Patients Report Using Cannabinoid Products

Written by Frank Schuler on August 1, 2023. Posted in Science.

Cannabis is medicine whether a handful of prohibitionist politicians want to accept that fact or not, and that is true for every country on Earth. Humans have effectively used cannabis for medical purposes for centuries whereas cannabis prohibition is a new manmade policy by many measures comparatively.

History has clearly demonstrated that humans are going to use cannabis for medical purposes whether it’s legal to do so or not. After all, they are suffering from one or more conditions, and if cannabis helps treat those conditions, many humans will take the risk.

France is home to a limited medical cannabis policy, however, suffering patients are still consuming cannabis regardless. A recent study examined usage rates among ALS patients specifically. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Marseille, France: An estimated 22 percent of French patients with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis a/k/a Lou Gehrig’s disease) report using either plant cannabis or CBD oil to mitigate symptoms of the disease, according to national survey data published in the journal Revue Neurologique.

Survey participants reported that cannabinoids improved their motor skills, reduced pain, elevated mood, and enhanced their overall quality of life. Reported side effects were non-serious (e.g., drowsiness, dry mouth).

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which presents a large questionnaire-based survey about the ‘real-life’ situation regarding cannabis use in the medical context in ALS patients in France,” the study’s authors reported. “Our data demonstrate that … a non-negligible proportion of ALS patients use cannabis to relieve symptoms of the disease. … This study highlights the need for further research on the potential benefits of cannabis use for the management of ALS motor and non-motor symptoms.”

Preclinical models suggest that cannabinoids may delay ALS progression in addition to mitigating certain ALS symptoms. A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial is currently ongoing in Australia to identify whether cannabis extracts can slow ALS disease progression.

Full text of the study, “Cannabis for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: What is the patients’ view?” appears inRevue Neurologique. Additional information on cannabis and ALS is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.