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UK Study Finds Cannabis Provides Sustained Improvements In PTSD Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Global researchers estimate that nearly 4% of the planet’s total population suffers from some form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is one of the most common mental health conditions around the world.

Common treatments for PTSD include different types of trauma-focused psychotherapy as well as pharmaceutical medications. Many of the pharmaceutical medications used to treat PTSD can yield undesirable side effects.

A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom examined medical cannabis therapies and PTSD. Below is more information about the study and its results via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Patients with post-traumatic stress report symptom improvements following their use of cannabis, according to observational data published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

British researchers assessed the use of THC-dominant cannabis flower in 58 patients with post-traumatic stress. (Since 2018, British specialists have been permitted to prescribe either cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Researchers assessed changes in patient-reported outcomes measures at three months and at six months.

Participants, on average, attained a 16.8-point reduction in their symptom severity scores following six months of cannabis treatment. Patients also reported significant enhancements in general health, mood, and sleep quality.

The study’s authors concluded: “Results from this observational study suggest an association between treatment with THC-predominant cannabis flowers and symptomatic improvement for up to six months in a cohort of UK civilians diagnosed with PTSD. The treatment was safe and well tolerated and characterized by marked effects on quality of sleep, general mood, and severity of PTSD-associated symptoms. … However, further research is needed to evaluate the long-term safety and outcomes of controlled inhalation of CBMP in patients naïve to cannabis.”

Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products in patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry have reported them to be effective for those suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, fibromyalgia, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Full text of the study, “Controlled inhalation of tetrahydrocannabinol-predominant cannabis flowers mitigates severity of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and improves quality of sleep and general mood in cannabis-experienced UK civilians: A real-world, observational study,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Additional information on cannabis and post-traumatic stress is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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Brazil Approves Medical Cannabis For Animals

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy, Science.

Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency recently decided to amend Ordinance SVS/MS 344/1998 to allow the regulation of medical cannabis products for animals by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Veterinarians who are approved by the nation’s Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine may prescribe registered cannabis-based medications to animals.

“Veterinarians may only prescribe these products through special prescriptions from pharmacies, as is already the case with other controlled medications and products, in accordance with current legislation, guaranteeing their strictly therapeutic use.” stated Feedstuffs about the policy change.

A study from December 2022 conducted by researchers in Brazil found that, at the macro level, cannabis appears to be safe for pets, especially cannabidiol, as long as it’s administered in the right dosage level.

“The review was systematically performed in Medline (via Pubmed®) and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) databases, with period restriction (between 1990 and 2021). The qualified articles (n=19), which met the previously established inclusion criteria, were critically evaluated.” stated the researchers about their study.

“Based on the literature review, it is possible to infer safety in the administration of cannabis-based products for the treatment of dogs, especially products rich in cannabidiol (CBD), free or with low concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol, under the conditions evaluated. In addition, CBD products potentially promote improved quality of life and reduce pain perception in animals affected by canine osteoarthritis.” the researchers also stated.

“Finally, owing to the lack of large-scale and robust clinical research studies, the performance of clinical trials, considering the individual characteristics of each cannabis-based product (composition, concentration, nature of adjuvants, dosage form, route of administration), is strongly encouraged.” the researchers concluded.

According to a recent market analysis by Global Market Insights, the global cannabidiol (CBD) pet market was worth an estimated $693.4 million in 2023. The CBD pet product market is projected to grow at an estimated 18.2% CAGR from 2024 to 2032.

Market growth will be driven by “growing pet ownership coupled with increasing awareness and acceptance of the potential therapeutic benefits of hemp-derived CBD for pets” the researchers stated.

“The dogs segment is set to lead the market, accounting for the largest revenue of USD 416.1 million in 2023, anticipating its dominance throughout the forecast period with a significant growth rate.” Global Market Insights reported.

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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 80% Of Unregulated Cannabis In Germany Is Contaminated

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Science.

Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can legally cultivate, possess, and consume cannabis for recreational purposes. Germany’s legalization model also includes cultivation associations, and eventually, regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials.

Unfortunately, nationwide adult-use sales like what is permitted in Uruguay and Canada cannot occur in Germany until European Union agreements are modernized to allow such activity. A recent study conducted by Sanity Group highlights why further reform is warranted in Germany and the rest of the EU.

A team of researchers associated with Sanity Group examined over 300 unregulated cannabis samples from 30 different German cities. According to the results of the study, roughly 80% of the samples of unregulated cannabis were contaminated with various harmful substances, from hairspray to banned pesticides.

“The investigation showed that 74 percent of the samples contained bacteria and viruses, 71 percent contained dangerous pesticides and 65 percent were contaminated with feces. In addition, traces of cocaine were found in 47 percent of cases and hairspray residues in 32 percent. The samples from the major cities of Berlin, Hamburg and Munich were particularly heavily contaminated.” the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) stated in a recent newsletter about the study’s findings.

“These worrying results underline the urgency of establishing a comprehensive range of safe, controlled cannabis products in Germany as part of the partial legalization process (“Pillar 2”). This is the only way to ensure the health protection of consumers. The study clearly illustrates the risks of the black market and the need for a regulated supply of cannabis in order to protect the health of consumers.” the association also stated.

The main goal of German legalization is to boost public health outcomes, with the main premise being that when adults consume regulated cannabis products instead of unregulated cannabis products they are healthier. To further BvCW’s point, Germany needs a more comprehensive legal cannabis commerce system to achieve the nation’s legalization goal.

Findings from the German study are similar to the results of a separate study conducted in Canada which also found that unregulated cannabis is often contaminated. Whereas regulated cannabis is tested for contaminants and subject to recalls, the same is not true for unregulated cannabis.

Canada implemented the Cannabis Act in late 2018, making it the first G-7 nation to pass a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. One of the top goals of Canada’s cannabis policy modernization effort was to enact regulations to reduce contamination rates in the products that people were consuming.

“In this study, we describe an expanded 327 multi-residue pesticide analysis in cannabis inflorescence to confirm if the implementation of the Cannabis Act is providing safer licensed products to Canadians in comparison to those of the illicit market.” a team of Canadian researchers stated about their 2023 study.

“An extensive multi-residue method was developed using a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation method using a combination of gas chromatography—triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) and liquid chromatography—triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) for the simultaneous quantification of 327 pesticide active ingredients in cannabis inflorescence.” researchers stated about the testing method used on the samples involved in the study.

“Application of this method to Canadian licensed inflorescence samples revealed a 6% sample positivity rate with only two pesticide residues detected, myclobutanil, and dichlobenil, at the method’s lowest calibrated level (LCL) of 0.01 μg/g.” researchers stated about the regulated samples.

“Canadian illicit cannabis inflorescence samples analysed showed a striking contrast with a 92% sample positivity rate covering 23 unique pesticide active ingredients with 3.7 different pesticides identified on average per sample. Chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, and myclobutanil were measured in illicit samples at concentrations up to three orders of magnitude above the method LCL of 0.01 μg/g.” researchers stated about the unregulated samples.

The difference in contamination rates largely speaks for itself regarding the effectiveness of regulating cannabis products. In an unregulated market, the number one incentive is to make as much money as possible, and that all but guarantees that humans will cut corners at the expense of consumers.

When consumers are afforded the option to purchase regulated cannabis versus unregulated cannabis in Canada, they choose regulated cannabis more often than not according to the results of a study that was also published in 2023. The same would presumably be true in other markets, including European markets.

Adults are going to consume cannabis whether it is legal to do so or not. Enough time has passed to prove that cannabis prohibition does not lower usage rates. All prohibition does is push consumers to unregulated sources.

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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.

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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.