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Neuropathic Pain Patients Report Sustained Relief After Cannabis Use

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Neuropathic pain is typically caused by an ongoing, progressive nerve disease. However, neuropathic pain can also result after a patient experiences an injury or infection. Sufferers report experiencing a shooting, burning pain, as well as a feeling of tingling, numbness, or a loss of sensation in certain parts of their body.

International researchers estimate that as much as 7% of the global population suffers from neuropathic pain to some degree. Physical therapy, psychological counseling, and sometimes surgery are incorporated into regimens to treat the condition. Pharmaceutical medications are commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain, including anti-seizure drugs.

Cannabis is another form of treatment that patients are turning to, and according to a recent study in Germany, the treatments are effective at providing sustained relief to neuropathic pain patients. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Hamburg, Germany: Cannabis inhalation is associated with sustained improvements in pain and sleep in patients with chronic neuropathy, according to data published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

German investigators assessed the use of herbal cannabis in a cohort of 99 patients suffering from neuropathic pain. Participants in the study inhaled cannabis containing moderate levels of THC (12 to 22 percent) for six weeks.

Researchers reported: “Within six weeks on the therapy, median pain scores decreased significantly from 7.5 to 4.0. The proportion of patients with severe pain (score >6) decreased from 96 percent to 16 percent. Sleep disturbance was significantly improved with the median of the scores decreased from 8.0 to 2.0. These improvements were sustained over a period of up to six months. There were no severe adverse events reported.”

Other surveys have identified similar pain decreases in neuropathy patients following their initiation of cannabis therapy.

The study’s authors concluded, “The results … demonstrated that chronic neuropathic pain can be effectively, sustainably, and safely treated with medical cannabis.”

Data published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open reported that nearly one in three patients with chronic pain use cannabis as an analgesic agent and that many of them substitute it in place of opioids.

Full text of the study, “Medical cannabis alleviates chronic neuropathic pain effectively and sustainably without severe adverse effects: A retrospective study on 99 cases,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Additional information on cannabis and chronic pain is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

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Recent Study Highlights The Public Health Need To Regulate Cannabis

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy, Science.

A team of researchers in Canada recently analyzed testing results for unregulated and regulated cannabis samples, and they described the difference in contamination rates between the two as having a “striking contrast.”

“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.” the researchers stated about their study.

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.

“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, which was first reported by Marijuana Moment.

“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. That principle is reflected in the results of this recent study.

Compare that to a regulated industry where products must be tested before being sold to ensure that the inputs that went into creating them are not harmful to humans. Sensible regulations boost the safety of all consumables available to purchasers, and cannabis is no exception.

Reducing the rate of contaminated cannabis use is at the heart of current cannabis policy modernization efforts in Europe, largely led by Germany. Whereas various continental agreements apparently prohibit nationwide legalized commerce in Europe (at least according to the EU), reforming cannabis policies to boost public health outcomes is perfectly legal.

The nuanced difference in policy reform approach is why nations like Switzerland are allowed to create regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilots, and why Malta is allowed to permit noncommercial cannabis clubs. Both policy modernization components are geared toward boosting the availability of regulated cannabis to reduce the consumption of unregulated cannabis.

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 published earlier this year. If Canada’s regulations were more sensible, and prices were lower as a result, even more consumers would choose to make their purchases from regulated sources.

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, which as demonstrated in the study at the heart of this article, those unregulated sources are often selling tainted cannabis.

Elected officials and bureaucrats need to recognize reality and choose to prioritize the public health outcomes of nations around the world. Effective cannabis policies involve licensing regulated outlets, as well as educating the public on the benefits of making purchases from regulated outlets, not the least of which is that the cannabis is proven to be safe to consume.

Cannabis Flower

Cannabis Associated With Improvements In Patients With Chronic Pouchitis

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Roughly 5 million people around the globe suffer from ulcerative colitis, some of which will endure at least one surgery in their lifetime due to the condition. Of the patients that require surgery, roughly 20% of them will develop a condition known as chronic pouchitis.

Chronic pouchitis involves inflammation in the lining of a pouch created during surgery to treat ulcerative colitis, in addition to surgery from a small list of other diseases. Symptoms of the condition include diarrhea, abdominal pain, joint pain, cramps, and fever.

Researchers in Israel recently examined cannabis’ ability to help treat symptoms of chronic pouchitis. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Tel Aviv, Israel: The daily use of herbal cannabis provides sustained relief to patients diagnosed with chronic pouchitis, according to data published in the journal ACG Case Reports. (Pouchitis is an inflammatory condition that frequently occurs in patients following surgery to treat ulcerative colitis.)

Israeli researchers assessed the use of cannabis in nine patients with treatment-resistant pouchitis. Patients inhaled one gram of herbal cannabis (16 percent THC) daily in addition to their regular medications. Patients were monitored for one year.

Investigators reported: “Symptom improvement was reported by eight of nine patients, including improvements in abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, appetite, and general well-being. Mood, memory, concentration, sleep, alertness, and daily function were also improved. Patients reported no events of hallucinations, negative behavioral effects, restlessness, or confusion. None reported IBD [inflammatory bowel disease] exacerbation.”

They concluded: “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the effect of cannabis consumption among patients with chronic pouchitis. … Cannabis use led to significant symptomatic improvement and better quality of life in this group of patients with refractory pouchitis. Larger, controlled studies are needed to further evaluate the role of cannabis in the treatment of chronic pouchitis.”

Prior studies have shown that cannabis can mitigate symptoms associated with a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and gastroparesis.

Full text of the study, “Cannabis improves clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with chronic pouchitis,” appears in ACG Case Reports. Additional information on cannabis and GI disorders is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

CBD cannabis leaf plant

CBD Associated With Sickle Cell Disease Patient Pain Alleviation

Written by Frank Schuler on . 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 . 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.

cannabis genetics panel International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin 2023

Big Opportunities In The Cannabis Genetics Sector

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business, Science.

Cannabis breeding is an essential part of the industry, as it allows for the development of new strains and products that can be tailored to meet the needs of different consumers and patients. As the cannabis market continues to grow and evolve, so does the potential for genetics to play an even greater role in the industry.

In the embedded International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin 2023 panel video below, experts discuss the latest trends in cannabis genetics and explore the future of breeding, from identifying new traits to using CRISPR technology. Panelists also delve into the question of how human DNA and cannabis DNA might be connected, and what implications this could have for the future of the industry. Panelists include:

  • Marcus Richardson (moderator) – Hashish aficionado and creator of Bubblebags
  • Dave Auger – Commissioner, Big League Genetics
  • Manny Dasilva – COO, Green Boyz Craft Israel
  • Jameson Welbourn – Founder and Managing Director, The Banyan Tree
  • Steven Tan – Principal Consultant, 4Plant

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

pain pain

Dystonia Patients Benefit From Inhaled Cannabis According To Survey

Written by Frank Schuler on . 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.

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

Written by Frank Schuler on . 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 . 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.’