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Author: Frank Schuler

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Medical Cannabis Patients Report Reduced Pain, Improved Mental Health

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Humans have a very long history of harnessing the wellness benefits of the cannabis plant. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the cannabis plant became villainized due to harmful political motivations.

Thankfully, cannabis policies and regulations are being modernized across the globe and more suffering patients are able to use cannabis and cannabis-derived medications to treat their condition(s).

A team of researchers in Australia recently conducted a study examining medical cannabis use, pain, and mental health. Below is information about the study and its findings via a recent news release from NORML:

Melbourne, Australia: Chronic pain patients report physical and mental health improvements following their use of medical cannabis preparations, according to observational data published in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.

Australian researchers assessed the use of medical cannabis preparations in 96 chronic pain patients. (Under Australian law, physicians may only authorize cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional prescription treatments.) Study participants consumed cannabis formulations either high in CBD, high in THC, or containing equal ratios of both cannabinoids. Patients’ symptoms were assessed at three, six, and 12 months.

Investigators reported: “We identified clear associations between patient commencement of a prescribed medicinal cannabis product and improvements in pain, mental health and sleep difficulties, with the most pronounced therapeutic effects visible within the first six months of treatment. Furthermore, significant improvements were noted across diverse domains of symptom interference on daily functions, suggesting an improved quality of life for patients. In relation to pain management, the majority of patients exhibited a notable decline in their use of both prescription and over-the-counter pain medications. This reduction in the use of other medications is consistent with the substantial improvements in pain severity reported by most patients.”

The most frequently reported adverse events were dry mouth and sleepiness.

The study’s authors concluded: “Overall, we found that the use of medicinal cannabis was associated with reduced pain during the first six months and improved mental well-being over 12 months. … Further longitudinal and controlled studies are necessary to better understand the sustained effects of cannabis-based medications on pain and mental health.”

Similarly designed studies of patients enrolled in the United Kingdom’s medical cannabis access program have reported that medical cannabis treatment is safe and effective for those suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, fibromyalgia, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other afflictions.

Full text of the study, “Changes in mental health symptoms associated with prescribed medicinal cannabis use: A one-year longitudinal study,” appears in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy. Additional information on cannabis and chronic pain is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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Study Finds Cannabis Provides Sustained Benefits For Fibromyalgia Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Fibromyalgia is a serious health condition involving widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. Ongoing research has determined that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way the suffering patient’s brain and spinal cord process painful and nonpainful signals.

According to a peer-reviewed study from January 2023, fibromyalgia “affects up to 5.0% of the world population” and “has a high female predominance, between 80 and 96%.” According to a separate study recently conducted in the United Kingdom, cannabis may provide sustained benefits for suffering fibromyalgia patients.

A team of British researchers affiliated with various academic and private entities assessed the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMP) consisting of cannabis flower or oil extracts in 148 patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. The researchers assessed changes in patient-reported outcomes at one, three, six, and twelve-month timelines.

The findings from the study were published in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.

“Improvements in the generalized anxiety disorder-7 questionnaire, single-item sleep quality scale, fibromyalgia symptom severity score and EQ-5D-5L Index values [a descriptive scale assessing mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression] were observed at each follow up period compared to baseline,” the researchers reported.

“Positive associations between initiation of CBMP therapy and decreased fibromyalgia severity were observed at all time points.…These findings are complemented by the wider literature.” the study’s authors concluded.

“Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products in patients enrolled in the UK Cannabis Registry have reported them to be effective for those suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.” NORML stated in a recent news release, adding additional context and resources about the topic.

back pain

Study Finds That Cannabis Edibles Reduce Chronic Lower Back Pain

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Anyone who has experienced lower back pain knows that it is far from a fun thing to have to endure. Lower back pain can be caused by a number of different factors, from living a sedentary lifestyle to being injured while engaging in a sports activity.

Whatever the cause, a lower back injury can linger for a long time, and in some cases, lower back pain can persist for many years. Common treatments for lower back pain include pharmaceutical painkillers, and for some patients, treatments can also involve surgery.

According to a recent study examining cannabis and chronic lower back pain patients, the use of cannabis edibles can help reduce chronic lower back pain. Below is more information about the study via a news release from NORML:

Boulder, CO: The consumption of cannabis-infused edible products, particularly those that are higher in THC content, provides acute relief for patients with chronic lower back pain, according to data published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology.

Researchers with the University of Colorado at Boulder assessed the ad libitum use of three distinct edible products (THC-dominant products, CBD-dominant products, or products containing similar amounts of THC and CBD) in 249 subjects with low back pain. Participants consumed the products for two weeks. Researchers evaluated changes in patients’ pain intensity and subjective mood, which were assessed at the conclusion of the study.

“Pain intensity following edible cannabis use decreased over time across all three broadly defined product groups,” investigators reported. Decreases in pain intensity were most pronounced in patients who consumed THC-dominant edibles. CBD-dominant products were “primarily associated with short-term tension relief” rather than significant reductions in acute pain.

The study’s authors concluded: “These findings support the short-term analgesic effects of THC and anxiolytic effects of CBD … [and] indicate that edible cannabis may be a safe and suitable alternative pain therapy for those looking to substitute more traditional pain medications.”

Longitudinal data published in 2022 determined that patients suffering from chronic back pain reduce their use of prescription opioids and report improvements in their condition following medical cannabis treatment.

Full text of the study, “Edible cannabis for chronic low back pain: Associations with pain, mood, and intoxication,” appears in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology. Additional information on cannabis and chronic pain is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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Topical Cannabis Cream Mitigates Pruritus In Thai Clinical Trial

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Pruritus is a medical term for ‘itching.’ While pruritus can develop for a multitude of reasons, it is fairly common among patients with chronic kidney disease. According to a June 2024 study, the worldwide prevalence of pruritus is 39.8%.

The number of people suffering from chronic kidney disease around the globe is roughly 800 million people according to a study from 2022, although it is unknown how many of those suffering patients also suffer from pruritus.

A team of researchers in Thailand recently conducted a clinical trial involving topical cannabis cream containing both CBD and THC, with the cream being used by chronic kidney disease patients experiencing pruritus. Below is more information about the results of the clinical trial via a news release from NORML:

Pathum Thani, Thailand: The topical application of a cream containing CBD and THC reduces itch severity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated pruritus, according to placebo-controlled clinical data published in the journal Kidney Medicine.

Investigators associated with Thammasat University in Thailand assessed the use of a cannabis-infused cream versus placebo in pruritus patients. Subjects were administered either the cream or the placebo for four weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline and at two weeks and four weeks.

Compared to the placebo group, kidney disease patients using the cannabis-infused cream experienced less itching and improved quality of life.

The study’s authors concluded: “This study demonstrated that a cannabis-containing cream might be an effective treatment for CKD-associated pruritus in hemodialysis patients with limited adverse side effects. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations of follow-up are suggested to ensure the reliability of the results, especially regarding itch-related quality of life.”

Full text of the study, “Cannabis-containing cream for CKD-associated pruritus: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial,” appears in Kidney Medicine.

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CBD Dosing Mitigates Spondyloarthritis Pain In Brazilian Case Report

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Spondyloarthritis, sometimes referred to as spondyloarthropathy, is an inflammatory arthritis condition that affects the patient’s spine. The main symptom of spondyloarthritis in most suffering patients involves low back pain.

According to a study from 2020, researchers estimated that as many as .5% to 2% of the world’s population suffers from spondyloarthritis to some degree. Common treatments for the condition depend on the severity of spondyloarthritis in the patient.

Researchers in Brazil recently published findings for a case report involving cannabidiol (CBD) and spondyloarthritis. Below is more information about the study and its results via a news release from NORML:

São José do Rio Preto, Brazil: The daily administration of plant-derived CBD oil is associated with reduced spondyloarthritis-related pain and increased physical activity, according to a case report published in the journal Cureus.

A Brazilian researcher documented improvements in a 72-year-old male patient with neuropathic pain from spondyloarthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the spinal column. The patient suffered from chronic pain, numbness, diminished muscle strength, and limited movement due to his condition.

Treatment with CBD oil resulted in initial improvements within 20 days. These improvements became more pronounced over time. “After 90 days of treatment, the patient reported the absence of pain, the return of physical activity (walking and swimming), and the suspension of the use of analgesics. Muscle strength increased considerably and tremors in the left arm had diminished by 90 percent.”

The study’s author concluded, “Based on this result and considering scientific evidence of the effectiveness of CBD in the treatment of patients with chronic pain due to different illnesses, this therapeutic option may be beneficial to such patients when conventional medicinal treatment is unsatisfactory.”

Full text of the study, “Cannabidiol for the treatment of spondyloarthritis-related pain: A case report,” appears in Cureus. Additional information on cannabinoids and pain management is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

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UK Researchers Find CBD Mitigates Symptoms In High Risk Psychosis Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

For many years, cannabis-based research was either outright prohibited in many parts of the world, or at the very least greatly hindered. Meanwhile, a false narrative was pushed by mainstream media and cannabis opponents that cannabis was ‘bad for the human brain in every instance, no exceptions.’

Of course, the truth is that as researchers continue to explore and unlock the wellness benefits of cannabinoids, we are learning that the cannabis plant can be effective at providing relief to suffering patients for a wide array of conditions, including mental health conditions.

A team of researchers recently conducted a clinical trial in the United Kingdom that explored the relationship between cannabidiol (CBD) and symptoms in patients with a high risk of psychosis. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: The daily use of cannabidiol reduces symptom severity in patients at clinically high risk of suffering from psychosis, according to placebo-controlled clinical trial data published in the journal World Psychiatry.

Thirty-one patients completed the study. Subjects received 600 mg of CBD or a placebo daily for three weeks. None of the participants received any prescription medications during the trial. Patients were assessed at baseline, at seven days, and at 21 days.

Compared to the placebo group, those who received CBD had lower total CAARMS (Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States) scores following treatment. CBD dosing was associated with a “reduction in the severity of CHR [clinically high risk] symptoms and the distress associated with psychotic experiences,” investigators reported.

The study’s authors concluded: “Short‐term treatment with CBD can ameliorate the symptoms of CHR state for psychosis and is well tolerated. These results highlight the potential of CBD as a novel treatment for psychosis, and the need for large‐scale efficacy studies to further evaluate its clinical utility.”

Separate studies have demonstrated that the use of CBD reduces psychotic symptoms and the use of antipsychotic medications in patients with schizophrenia.

Full text of the study, “Effects of cannabidiol on symptoms in people at clinical; high risk of psychosis,” appears in World Psychiatry.

knee pain

Topical Hemp Seed Oil Reduces Osteoarthritic Knee Pain In Iranian Clinical Trial

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

According to the results of a peer-reviewed analysis published in October 2023, an estimated 654 million people worldwide suffer from osteoarthritis knee pain, with 5% of all primary care visits in adults being related to knee pain.

The condition can develop for various reasons, with sports-related injuries being a very common contributing factor. Treating the condition typically involves the use of pharmaceutical painkillers, and in some cases, surgery.

A team of researchers in Iran recently conducted a clinical trial involving osteoarthritis knee pain patients and the topical application of hemp seed oil, with the results of the trial indicating that the therapy was effective. Below is more information about the clinical trial and its results via a news release from NORML:

Rafsanjan, Iran: The daily topical application of hemp seed oil improves osteoarthritic knee pain, according to placebo-controlled clinical trial data published in the journal Pain Management Nursing.

Iranian investigators assessed the efficacy of cold-pressed hemp seed oil versus either placebo or the NSAID diclofenac (aka Voltaren) in 90 patients with osteoarthritic knee pain and stiffness. Patients enrolled in the trial were between the ages of 45 and 70 years old. Study participants were assessed at baseline and again at four weeks and at eight weeks.

Researchers reported that the topical application of hemp seed oil provided therapeutic effects similar to those of diclofenac and superior to those of the placebo. Investigators reported that the oil was “safe and well tolerated.”

The study’s authors concluded: “This randomized controlled trial found that the daily application of topical hemp seed oil improved knee pain, physical function, and perceived knee stiffness. … Topical herbal compounds may have a role in the treatment of painful chronic conditions, such as knee OA [osteoarthritis], to reduce the systemic adverse effects of oral drugs.”

Full text of the study, “Effect of topical hemp (cannabis sativa) seed oil on knee osteoarthritis: A randomized double-blind controlled trial,” appears in Pain Management Nursing.

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Colombia’s Cannabis Contains ‘Uncommon Terpenes’ According To Study

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Colombia’s emerging legal cannabis industry is growing with every passing year, and according to a recent study, the nation’s climate and environment could give the cannabis produced there an edge over other parts of the world.

A team of researchers based in Colombia, Germany, and the United States recently examined terpenes in cannabis cultivated in Colombia. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that determine the smell of many plants and herbs, including cannabis.

“This study aimed to characterize and assess the phytochemical diversity of C. sativa chemotypes in diverse ecological regions of Colombia, South America.” The researchers stated the objective of their research.

“Ten cannabinoids and 23 terpenes were measured using liquid and gas chromatography, in addition to other phenotypic traits, in 156 C. sativa plants that were grown in diverse ecological regions in Colombia, a hotspot for global biodiversity.” the researchers stated about the study’s methodology.

“Our results reveal significant phytochemical diversity in Colombian-grown C. sativa plants, with four distinct chemotypes based on cannabinoid profile.” the researchers stated in their findings. “The significant amount of usually uncommon terpenes suggests that Colombia’s environments may have unique capabilities that allow the plant to express these compounds. Colombia’s diverse climates offer enormous cultivation potential, making it a key player in both domestic and international medicinal and recreational C. sativa trade.”

“These findings underscore Colombia’s capacity to pioneer global C. sativa production diversification, particularly in South America with new emerging markets.” the researchers concluded.

According to ProColombia, a government agency in charge of promoting nontraditional Colombian trade, the value of medical cannabis exports from Colombia was $10.8 million in 2023, which was an 11.3% increase over 2022, and a 96% increase from 2021.

Per Statista, Colombia’s legal cannabis industry is expected to increase to a value of $64.59 million by the end of this year, and “revenue is anticipated to experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 2.09%, leading to a market volume of US$71.64m by 2029.”

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Patients With Rheumatic Conditions Report Substituting Cannabis For Prescriptions

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Rheumatic diseases affect suffering patients’ joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Common rheumatic conditions include (but are not limited to) osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, infectious arthritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica.

Genetics plays a major role in the potential development of rheumatic conditions. Obesity increases the probability of an individual developing a rheumatic condition. Common treatments for rheumatic diseases include medications, regular exercise, a healthy diet, stress management, and rest. Over 18 million people suffer globally from rheumatic arthritis alone.

A team of researchers in Canada recently conducted a survey and determined that a large number of patients with rheumatic conditions report replacing pharmaceutical prescriptions with cannabis therapies. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Montreal, Canada: Patients with neuropathy, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and other rheumatic conditions frequently substitute cannabis in place of prescription medications, according to survey data published in the journal Open Neurology.

Researchers affiliated with McGill University in Montreal and the University of Michigan surveyed 763 US and Canadian patients with rheumatic conditions.

Consistent with other studies, 63 percent of respondents reported substituting cannabis products for other medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (55 percent), opioids (49 percent), sleep aids (30 percent), and muscle relaxants (25 percent). Following substitution, most participants reported decreases or cessation in their medication use. Respondents typically reported turning to cannabis because it offered “better symptom management” and was associated with “fewer adverse effects.”

Those who substituted medical cannabis in place of other medications reported greater improvements in pain, sleep, joint stiffness, muscle spasm, inflammation, and global health.

“The acceptance of MC [medical cannabis] as a treatment strategy for rheumatic conditions is evolving,” the study’s authors concluded. “These encouraging results of medication reduction and favorable effect of MC require confirmation with more rigorous methods. … Comparative effective clinical trials of MC versus other pain treatments are needed, as are more prospective studies investigating the effects of MC on the use of medications and other substances in rheumatic populations.”

Full text of the study, “Substituting medical cannabis for medications among patients with rheumatic conditions in the United States and Canada,” appears in Open Neurology. Additional information is available in NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.