Author: Frank Schuler

Cannabis-Induced Psychosis Is Rare Without Pre-Existing Conditions Per Meta-Analysis

Written by Frank Schuler on July 30, 2024. Posted in Science.

One of the most common talking points for cannabis opponents is that ‘cannabis is bad for human brains.’ Many older cannabis observers will attest that this talking point is as old as cannabis prohibition itself.

Such cannabis opponents will cherry-pick public mental health data and present it out of context to try to ‘prove’ their point. Unfortunately for them, and fortunately for compassion and logical reasoning, proper scientific research demonstrates that cannabis opponents are wrong.

A team of researchers in Switzerland recently conducted a meta-analysis regarding psychosis and cannabis use, controlling for pre-existing mental health conditions. Below is more information about the methodology and results of the analysis via a news release from NORML:

Lausanne, Switzerland: Cannabis consumption rarely triggers episodes of acute psychosis in those who do not have a pre-existing psychiatric disorder, according to the results of a meta-analysis published in the journal Nature: Mental Health.

An international team of researchers from Switzerland and the United Kingdom reviewed the relationship between marijuana use and cannabis-associated psychotic symptoms (CAPS) in 162 studies involving over 210,000 cannabis consumers.

Researchers reported that the risk of psychosis “appears most amplified in vulnerable individuals,” particularly those with “pre-existing mental health problems” such as bipolar disorder. By contrast, they acknowledged, “[N]either young age of onset of cannabis use nor high-frequency use of cannabis or the preferred type of cannabis (strains high in THC, strains high in CBD) was associated with CAPS.”

Overall, they estimated that 0.5 percent of those who consume cannabis may experience a psychotic episode during their lifetime. That percentage mirrors estimates published in a prior study involving 233,000 European marijuana consumers. The authors of that study concluded, “Rates of CAPS as observed here are comparable to rates of other drug-induced psychosis, such as alcohol-associated psychosis (around 0.4 – 0.7 percent).”

The studies’ findings push back against claims that marijuana exposure is a frequent trigger for psychosis and other mental health disorders.

Full text of the study, “Assessing rates and predictors of cannabis-associated psychotic symptoms across observational, experimental, and medical research. Additional information on cannabis and mental health is available from NORML’s white paper, ‘Cannabis, Mental Health, and Context: The Case for Regulation.’

Canadian Patients Report Cannabis Effectively Treats Musculoskeletal Pain

Written by Frank Schuler on July 30, 2024. Posted in Science.

Musculoskeletal pain is a health condition that affects bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and/or muscles. Injuries, particularly ones that involve a fracture, are a common contributor to a patient developing musculoskeletal pain. Arthritis can also cause musculoskeletal pain.

According to international researchers, 1.71 billion people suffer from musculoskeletal conditions globally. Musculoskeletal conditions are reportedly the leading contributor to disability across the planet, with low back pain being the single leading cause of disability.

A team of investigators in Canada conducted a survey asking about musculoskeletal pain and cannabis use, with survey participants reporting that cannabis therapy effectively treats their condition. Below is more information about the survey and its results via a news release from NORML:

Toronto, Canada: More than one in five patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (MSK) report having used cannabis to manage their symptoms and 90 percent of them perceive it to be effective, according to data published in the Journal of Cannabis Research.

Canadian researchers surveyed 629 patients with chronic MSK pain. Twenty-three percent acknowledged having used cannabis therapeutically. Over 90 percent of consumers said that it was either “very,” “somewhat,” or “slightly” effective at managing their pain, improving their sleep, and reducing anxiety-related symptoms. More than half (57 percent) perceived cannabis to be more effective than other analgesic medications, and 40 percent acknowledged decreasing their use of traditional pain medications following their use of cannabis.

The study’s authors concluded: “One in five patients presenting to an orthopaedic surgeon with chronic MSK pain are using or have used cannabis with the specific intent to manage their pain, and most report it to be effective. … Future double-blind placebo-controlled trials are required to understand if this reported efficacy is accurate, and what role, if any, cannabis may play in the management of chronic MSK pain.”

Survey data published last month reported that one in four cannabis consumers use it primarily to achieve pain relief.

Full text of the study, “Understanding the epidemiology and perceived efficacy of cannabis use in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain,” appears in the Journal of Cannabis Research. Additional information on cannabis and pain management is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

CBD Mitigates Symptoms In Adolescents With Autism In Brazilian Study

Written by Frank Schuler on July 23, 2024. Posted in Science.

The cannabis plant contains dozens of cannabinoids, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being arguably the most well-known cannabinoid. Another cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), has grown in popularity in recent years due to its wellness properties.

CBD is being successfully used to treat a number of conditions around the globe, from arthritis to epilepsy. Many medical cannabis products containing CBD are derived from hemp, which is legal in more jurisdictions than non-hemp forms of cannabis.

A team of researchers in Brazil recently conducted a study involving CBD therapies and adolescents with autism. Below are the results of the Brazilian study via a news release from NORML:

Brasilia, Brazil: The administration of CBD-rich cannabis extracts is safe and effective in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to data from an observational study published in the journal Pharmaceuticals.

Brazilian investigators assessed the use of CBD-dominant extracts (CBD to THC ratio: 33 to 1) in a cohort of 30 children (mean age: 11 years) with moderate to severe ASD. Participants consumed cannabis extracts for six-months. Subjects were clinically assessed by their designated physicians. At the end of the treatment period, semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the participants’ parents and caregivers.

Consistent with prior studies, most subjects (70 percent) demonstrated clinical improvements following CBD therapy – particularly with respect to attention and communication skills. Seventy-four percent of subjects either reduced or ceased their use of at least one prescribed medication during the study.

Two-thirds (67 percent) of parents reported improvements in their child’s behavior in six of the 12 categories assessed. No parents reported that their child’s symptoms worsened over the course of the study.

The study’s authors concluded: “In the present study, we show that the benefits of treatment with full-spectrum CBD oil for non-syndromic individuals with ASD are not only noticeable to the clinical eye but are also perceived and experienced by the families and caregivers. In short, the findings corroborate that this treatment, combined with a gradual and individualized dosage regimen, is safe and efficient for broader treatment of central and comorbid symptoms associated with ASD, being able to improve aspects such as social interaction, communication and quality of life.”

The study’s findings are consistent with those of placebo-controlled trial data showing improvements in ASD patients’ symptoms following the use of cannabinoid products. Observational studies have also shown that the use of cannabis can provide benefits in adults with autism.

Full text of the study, “Clinical and family implications of cannabidiol (CBD)-dominant full-spectrum phytocannabinoid extracts in children and adolescents with moderate to severe non-syndromic autism spectrum disorder (ASD): An observational study on neurobehavioral management,” appears in Pharmaceuticals. Additional information on cannabinoids and ASD is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Inflammatory Arthritis Patients Report Sustained Relief From Cannabis

Written by Frank Schuler on July 23, 2024. Posted in Science.

International researchers estimate that as many as 350 million people around the globe suffer from some form of arthritis. Arthritis is defined as painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints.

Symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, and swelling, as well as the affected joint(s) being a different color than usual. The affected joint(s) may also not be able to move or stretch as much as it used to.

Researchers in the United Kingdom recently conducted a study examining cannabis use by suffering arthritis patients. Below is more information about the results of the study via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Patients with inflammatory arthritis report reduced pain and sustained improvements in their health-related quality of life following their use of medical cannabis preparations, according to observational data published in the journal International Clinical Psychopharmacology.

British researchers assessed the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) consisting of either flower or oil extracts in 82 patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. (Since 2018, British specialists have been permitted to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Researchers assessed changes in patient-reported outcomes measures at one, three, six, and 12 months.

Patients consistently reported improvements in anxiety, pain, and sleep during the length of the study

The study’s authors concluded: “This study demonstrates an associated improvement in pain severity and other relevant outcomes in individuals prescribed CBMPs for inflammatory arthritis-associated chronic pain. In addition, CBMPs were largely well tolerated by the majority of patients. … [T]hese results provide further support for continued evaluation of CBMPs in this setting.”

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 bowel disease, and other afflictions.

Full text of the study, “Assessment of clinical outcomes in patients with inflammatory arthritis: Analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry,” appears in the International Clinical Psychopharmacology. Additional information on cannabis and arthritis is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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Cannabis Terpenes Exhibit Anti-Cancer Effects In China Preclinical Trial

Written by Frank Schuler on July 15, 2024. Posted in Science.

Anyone who has battled cancer, or loved someone who has battled cancer, will be quick to tell you that it is a very difficult and terrible thing to ever have to endure. According to the Worldwide Cancer Research Fund International, “there were 19,976,499 cancer cases in 2022.”

Trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer are the most commonly diagnosed forms of the serious health condition, followed by breast cancer and colorectum cancer. It is estimated that roughly 1 out of every 10 deaths across the globe every year are cancer-related, and effective treatments are desperately needed.

Researchers in China recently conducted a preclinical cancer research trial involving cannabis terpenes. Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds in the cannabis plant. Below are the results of the trial via a news release from NORML:

Shanghai, China: Hemp oil extracts containing the terpenes β-caryophyllene and α-humulene possess potent analgesic and anti-cancer properties, according to preclinical data published in Fitoterapia: The Journal for the Study of Medicinal Plants.

Chinese scientists assessed the pain-relieving and anti-tumor activities of hemp oil in mice. They reported that the administration of cannabis extracts reduced neuropathic pain and “significantly inhibited” tumor growth.

The study’s authors concluded, “These results reveal that HEO [hemp essential oil] plays a role not only in tumor chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy treatment, but also in anti-tumor treatment which offers key information for new strategies in cancer treatment and provides reference for the medicinal development of hemp.”

Prior studies have similarly determined that cannabis terpenes, including β-caryophyllene and α-humulene, can produce potent analgesic effects in animal models. Cannabinoids possess well-established anti-cancer activities in preclinical models, but their efficacy has rarely been assessed in clinical trials.

Full text of the study, “Chemical compounds, anti-tumor and anti-neuropathic pain effect of hemp essential oil,” appears in Fitoterapia. Additional information on cannabinoids and cancer is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Clinical Trial In India Finds Oral CBD Is Safe And Effective At Treating Anxiety

Written by Frank Schuler on July 15, 2024. Posted in Science.

International health investigators estimate that about 4% of the world’s human population suffers from some form of anxiety, although, researchers do not know the exact number. Anxiety often goes undiagnosed for various reasons in certain parts of the world so the actual rate may be higher than reported.

Anxiety is often described as involving intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Physical symptoms of anxiety can include a fast heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, and/or fatigue.

Many of the pharmaceutical treatments that are commonly prescribed to anxiety patients involve a long list of possible side effects. Some cases of anxiety are so bad that pharmaceutical treatments don’t even work.

Fortunately, orally administered cannabidiol (CBD) products may be able to help in some cases according to a recent clinical trial conducted in India. Below is more information about the trial’s results via a news release from NORML:

Telangana, India: The administration of oral CBD is safe and effective for patients suffering from mild to moderate anxiety disorders, according to clinical trial data published in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry.

An international team of investigators assessed the efficacy of 150mg/mL of CBD versus a placebo in a cohort of 178 subjects with anxiety. Patients consumed either CBD or a placebo for 15 weeks.

Researchers reported, “The … CBD oral solution showed therapeutic efficacy, excellent safety, and tolerability in treating not only mild to moderate anxiety disorders, but also associated depression and disturbances in sleep quality with no incidences of withdrawal anxiety upon dose tapering and at the end of the treatment.”

They concluded: “In this Phase III study, … CBD oral solution exhibited superior efficacy in achieving the primary and secondary objectives when compared to the placebo group. … These results pave way for probable prospective use of … CBD … for various psychiatry disorders alone or in conjunction with other drugs.”

The findings are consistent with those of other clinical trials finding that CBD reduces levels of emotional exhaustion, social anxiety disorder, and treatment-resistant anxiety disorders.

Full text of the study, “Evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of nanodispersible cannabidiol oral solution (150 mg/mL) versus placebo in mild to moderate anxiety subjects: A double blind multicenter randomized clinical trial,” appears in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry.

Older UK Patients Respond Favorably To Medical Cannabis Products

Written by Frank Schuler on July 8, 2024. Posted in Science.

It is no secret that as humans age they experience health conditions at an increasing rate. As the saying goes, Father Time is undefeated. However, there are therapeutic strategies that older individuals can incorporate to help alleviate some ailments that occur as we age.

Medical cannabis therapies are an option for aging patients, with medical cannabis products increasing in popularity among senior citizens across the globe, including in the United Kingdom.

A team of researchers in the United Kindom recently conducted a study involving older patients and medical cannabis. Many of the study’s participants reported improvements after medical cannabis use. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Older patients report experiencing better health and well-being following their use of medical cannabis preparations, according to data published in the journal Drugs & Aging.

British researchers assessed the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) consisting of either flower or oil extracts in a cohort of patients ages 65 and older. (British specialists are permitted to prescribe cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Study participants primarily suffered from chronic pain. Patients consumed cannabis products for three months.

Consistent with the findings of other observational studies, older patients reported “significant improvements” following cannabis use, including “substantial reductions” in pain severity.

The study’s authors concluded: “There were consistent improvements across measures of general health and well-being after three months of treatment. … These findings accord with a growing body of observational and real-world evidence from jurisdictions that have legalized medicinal cannabis that cannabis is effective for improving sleep, mood and quality of health across multiple primary conditions.”

Israeli data published in 2022 similarly reported quality-of-life improvements in medical cannabis patients. Among patients with post-traumatic stress, 91 percent reported that cannabis treatment was a success, as did 84 percent of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and 78 percent of patients with chronic pain.

According to statistics published in The Journals of Gerontology, more than one-third of those age 65 or older take five or more pharmaceuticals daily.

Full text of the study, “Prescribed medical cannabis use among older individuals: Patient characteristics and improvements in well-being: Findings from T21,” appears in Drugs & Aging. Additional information is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Cannabis Use by Older Populations.’

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Nearly All Surveyed Australian Patients Report Improvements After Using Medical Cannabis

Written by Frank Schuler on July 8, 2024. Posted in Science.

Humans have a long history with the cannabis plant, having harnessed the cannabis plant’s wellness properties for many centuries prior to cannabis prohibition policies taking effect around the world.

Thankfully, cannabis policy modernization efforts have spread across the globe in recent decades, particularly medical cannabis reforms. According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Ukraine and France, and published by the U.S. National Institute of Health, 57 countries have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures.

A recent survey was conducted in Australia in which medical cannabis patients were asked about the effectiveness of their medical cannabis therapies. The results of the survey were encouraging. Below is more information about the results of the survey via a news release from NORML:

Sydney, Australia: Adults who consume cannabis to treat a medical condition overwhelmingly say that it improves their symptoms, according to survey data published in the Harm Reduction Journal.

Researchers surveyed over 3,300 Australian adults who self-identified as medical cannabis consumers. Seventy-three percent of respondents said that they primarily consumed prescription cannabis products. (Australian law permits physicians to prescribe cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional treatments.) Twenty-seven percent of respondents acknowledged accessing cannabis, primarily from the unregulated market.

Survey participants predominantly consumed either cannabis flower or oral extracts. Patients typically used cannabis to address pain, mood disorders, or sleep disorders.

Ninety-seven percent of those surveyed said that their condition “was a little, much, or very much better since starting medical cannabis,” – a finding that is consistent with the results of prior surveys and observational trials.

Those respondents who used authorized cannabis products were more likely to be aware of the percentage of THC and other cannabinoids in their products. They were also more likely to either vaporize cannabis or consume oral extracts.

The most frequently reported side effects from cannabis were dry mouth, increased appetite, and drowsiness.

The study’s authors reported: “The results … further underline the dramatic recent increase in the proportion of people using legally prescribed rather than illicitly sourced medical cannabis. … Among these dual-users, respondents were far more likely to prefer prescribed medical cannabis for its consistency of dose, ease of getting supplies, effectiveness in treating their condition, better side-effects profile, and reduced risk of legal issues. This highlights the benefits to patients of being able to access medical cannabis of known potency through legal channels rather than having to obtain it from illicit sources.”

They concluded: “Both prescribed and illicit users overwhelmingly endorsed the effectiveness of their medical cannabis in treating their main health condition. … Further high-quality clinical trials and stronger research evidence is required to establish the role of different medical cannabis preparations in treating the wide array of conditions for which medical cannabis is being used.”

Full text of the study, “Medical cannabis use in Australia seven years after legalization: Findings from the online Cannabis as Medicine Survey 2022-2023 (CAMS-22),” appears in the Harm Reduction Journal.

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Study Finds No Significant Changes In Driving Performance Following Use Of THC-Infused Edibles

Written by Frank Schuler on July 1, 2024. Posted in Science.

If there is one thing that cannabis opponents and responsible cannabis consumers agree on, it is that no one should operate a motor vehicle on a public roadway if they are too impaired to operate the vehicle safely. That is true for cannabis and any other substance, including pharmaceutical drugs.

Cannabis DUI policies should be based on science, and not fear-mongering. Arbitrary per se THC limits, such as the recently approved 3.5 ng/mL threshold in Germany, punish longtime cannabis consumers who may have elevated metabolized THC levels, yet are not impaired at the time of testing.

A study in Canada recently examined the effects of consuming THC-infused edibles and driving performance among a cohort of self-reported ‘frequent’ cannabis consumers. The results of the study, while favorable, are not justification for operating a motor vehicle while impaired.

With that being said, just because someone has THC in their system does not mean that they are impaired, and public policies need to account for that scientific fact. Below is more information about the Canadian study via a news release from NORML:

Toronto, Canada: Subjects display few changes in simulated driving performance following the ingestion of THC-infused edible products, according to data published in the Journal of Cannabis Research.

Investigators affiliated with the University of Toronto assessed simulated driving behavior in 22 subjects prior to and following the ingestion of THC-infused edibles. Edibles contained, on average, 7.3 mg of THC. Subjects’ driving performance was assessed at two, four, and six hours. Study participants were primarily “frequent users of cannabis for recreational purposes.”

Researchers reported: “Compared to [baseline], cannabis edibles produced a decrease in mean speed 2 hours after consumption. … No changes in standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP; ‘weaving’), maximum speed, standard deviation of speed or reaction time were found at any time point.” Some participants expressed a lesser willingness to drive following cannabis ingestion.

Researchers theorized that the absence of any significant performance changes may “reflect [subjects’] tolerance to the effects of cannabis” – a phenomenon that has been reported in prior studies. According to one literature review, “Patients who take cannabinoids at a constant dosage over an extensive period of time often develop tolerance to the impairment of psychomotor impairment, so they can drive vehicles safely.”

The study’s authors concluded: “This is the first study of the impact of cannabis edibles on simulated driving. … Future studies will need to control for age and determine any age-related impacts on the effects of cannabis on driving. This is especially important given that participants over the age of 50 years have been overlooked in studies of the effects of cannabis on driving and related outcomes.”

Full text of the study, “The effect of cannabis edibles on driving and blood THC,” appears in the Journal of Cannabis Research. Additional information is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Marijuana and Psychomotor Performance.’