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Canadian Medical Cannabis Patients Report Sustained Improvements In Their Health

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Cannabis is medicine. That may seem like an obvious fact to cannabis supporters, however, cannabis opponents still try very hard to downplay the wellness benefits that the cannabis plant can provide. In many cases, cannabis opponents still cling to the false claim that cannabis provides zero medical benefits.

Unfortunately for cannabis opponents, and fortunately for suffering patients, the cannabis plant does possess tremendous wellness benefits and can be used to successfully treat a number of conditions.

A team of researchers in Canada recently published longitudinal data involving survey responses from registered medical cannabis patients in Canada. The participating patients reported sustained improvements in specific components of their overall health. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Montreal, Canada: Canadian patients authorized to use medical cannabis products report sustained improvements in their health-related quality of life, according to longitudinal data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

A team of investigators affiliated with McGill University in Montreal assessed the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis products in a cohort of 2,991 patients. Subjects in the study consumed cannabis flower, extracts, or other related products for one year.

Consistent with other studies, researchers reported: “All patient-reported outcomes showed a statistically significant improvement at 3 months, which was maintained or further improved (for pain interference, tiredness, and well-being) over the remainder of the 12-month follow-up. Results also revealed clinically significant improvements in pain interference and tiredness, anxiety, and well-being from baseline.” Few patients reported experiencing any serious adverse events as a result of their cannabis intake.

Authors concluded, “MC [medical cannabis] directed by physicians appears to be safe and effective within 3 months of initiation for a variety of medical indications.”

Data published late last week in the journal JAMA Network Open reported that nearly one in four pain patients residing in states where medical cannabis access is legal self-identify as marijuana consumers.

Full text of the study, “The Quebec Cannabis Registry: Investigating the safety and effectiveness of medical cannabis,” appears inCannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

skin-lotion

Clinical Trial Finds CBD More Effective Than Conventional Treatments At Treating Skin Ulcers

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. In fact, more than 1.5 million people were diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in the year 2020 alone.

It’s a serious health condition that is expected to only increase in prevalence going forward, with cases of skin cancer expected to increase as much as 50% around the world between now and 2040. Depending on the type of skin cancer a person has, and how severe it is, many cases of skin cancer are treatable.

Other skin conditions may be rarer compared to skin cancer and do not receive as much attention, however, they can still be very serious. One such skin condition is scleroderma, which involves inflammation of the skin. Some patients develop skin ulcers as a result of scleroderma.

Researchers in Italy recently examined CBD topical’s ability to treat skin ulcers, and they found that CBD topicals were more effective compared to conventional treatments. Below is more information about it via a NORML news release:

Modena, Italy: The administration of a topical extract preparation of CBD effectively mitigates wound-related pain and promotes the healing of skin ulcers in patients with scleroderma, according to randomized trial data published in the journal Advances in Skin & Wound Care. Scleroderma (a/k/a systemic sclerosis) is a rare autoimmune disorder involving the tightening of the skin and the narrowing of blood vessels.

Italian investigators assessed the efficacy of topical CBD oil compared to conventional medications in a group of scleroderma patients with digital ulcers (skin ulcers of the fingertips). Twenty-five patients were randomly selected to use CBD for one month; the other 20 received conventional therapy.

Subjects in the CBD group experienced greater pain relief and wound healing than did those in the control group. Authors reported, “Although mean wound-related pain NRS [numeric rating scale] scores did not differ between CBD-treated patients and control patients at baseline, their mean scores differed significantly after 1 month.” Specifically, patients in the treatment group experienced a decrease in pain of 29 percent over the course of the trial, whereas those in the control group only experienced a six percent decrease.

Investigators further acknowledged, “In terms of DU [digital ulcer] healing, 18 of the 25 patients in the CBD-treated group (72 percent) experienced complete healing by the end of the study. In contrast, complete healing was observed in (only) 6 of the 20 control group participants (30 percent).”

Patients receiving CBD treatment reported “no significant adverse effects” during the study.

“The present study is the first to report the effectiveness of local CBD treatment in the management of SSc-DUs [systemic sclerosis digital ulcers],” authors concluded.  “Topical administration of CBD is a safe, effective, noninvasive tool that is associated with improved wound-related pain, DU healing, and QoL [quality of life] of patients with SSc.”

The topical application of cannabinoids, and of CBD in particular, has demonstrated benefits in the treatment of a variety of skin-related conditions, including psoriasis, erythema, pruritis, and acne. It has also been associated with wound healing in patients with refractory leg ulcers and with the rare skin blistering disease epidermolysis bullosa.

Full text of the study, “Topical cannabidiol in the treatment of digital ulcers in patients with scleroderma: Comparative analysis and literature review,” appears in Advances in Skin & Wound Care.

 

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UK Study Finds That Cannabis Is Associated With Improvements In Depressive Symptoms

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Depression is a common mental health condition affecting people all over the globe. Major depressive disorder, or depression as it is more often referred to, negatively affects how people feel, think, and act.

The condition can be caused by any number of things, or combination of things, including deficient mood regulation by the patient’s brain, genetic susceptibility, grief, and/or stressful events that have occurred in the person’s life.

Common symptoms include sadness, loss of interest in things the patient previously enjoyed, changes in appetite, insomnia, loss of energy, difficulty focusing, and/or thoughts of death or suicide.

Fortunately, depression can be treated, with the cannabis plant being increasingly used by patients to help battle depression. A team of researchers in the United Kingdom recently examined cannabis use by patients suffering from depression and the results are encouraging. Below is more information about it via a NORML news release:

London, United Kingdom: The daily consumption of cannabis products is associated with sustained improvements in depressive symptoms, according to observational trial data published in the journal Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics.

British investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of cannabis products in 129 subjects with a primary diagnosis of depression. Study subjects were participants in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry and all possessed a doctor’s authorization to consume cannabis. Study participants consumed either cannabis extracts, THC-dominant flowers, or both for a period of six-months.

Researchers reported: “The results showed that medicinal cannabis was associated with improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as health-related quality of life, and sleep quality after 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment.” While some subjects reported adverse events from cannabis products, almost all side effects were classified as either “mild or moderate.”

Authors concluded, “Future studies could focus on conducting controlled observational studies or pilot trials to determine the potential of CBMPs [cannabis-based medicinal products] as a treatment for depression.”

Post-traumatic stress patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry have similarly shown sustained symptomatic improvements following cannabis therapy.

Full text of the study, “Assessment of clinical outcomes of medicinal cannabis therapy for depression: Analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry,” appears in the Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics.

pain

Cannabis Compounds Effective At Mitigating Chronic Pain And Improving Sleep According To New Study

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Neuropathic pain is a major health condition affecting a significant percentage of the global population. Neuropathic pain involves a patient’s nervous system being damaged or not working correctly due to various reasons.

Common causes of neuropathic pain include, but are not limited to, nerve pressure or nerve damage after surgery or trauma, infections, cancer, extreme alcohol use, and conditions such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

A common condition that accompanies chronic neuropathic pain is an inability to gain proper sleep. Neuropathic pain patients often report difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, largely due to the pain that they are experiencing.

A team of researchers in Canada recently examined randomized controlled trial data involving neuropathic pain, sleep, and medical cannabis use and the results of their research was very insightful. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Toronto, Canada: Cannabis compounds are effective at mitigating chronic neuropathic pain and improving sleep, according to a review of randomized controlled trial data published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

A team of Canadian researchers evaluated results from nine trials that compared synthetic and natural cannabinoids to placebo in patients suffering from neuropathic pain syndromes.

They reported: “Meta-analysis of data from six studies showed that cannabinoids were associated with a significant improvement in sleep quality. Meta-analysis of data from eight studies showed a significant reduction in daily pain scores in the cannabinoid group.”

Authors concluded: “Cannabinoids have a role in treating chronic neuropathic pain as evidenced by significant improvements in sleep quality, pain intensity, and PGIC [Patients’ Global Impression of Change scale]. More research is needed to comprehensively evaluate the impact of cannabinoids on sleep health and analgesic efficacy.”

Survey data consistently reports that patients who use cannabis products typically do so to mitigate chronic pain and improve sleep. Among patients in US states where medical cannabis access is permitted, over 60 percent are qualified to use it to treat pain.

Full text of the study, “Evaluating the impact of cannabinoids on sleep health and pain in patients with chronic neuropathic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials,” appears in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine. Additional information on cannabis and chronic pain is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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Clinical Trial Finds Cannabis Oil To Be Effective At Treating Insomnia

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Insomnia may not seem like a serious health condition to some people, however, anyone that suffers from significant insomnia will be quick to point out that it can have a negative impact on a person’s life.

The Mayo Clinic defines insomnia as, “a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.” Chronic insomnia occurs when the condition lasts longer than a month.

In addition to making a person feel tired throughout the day, insomnia can also be an indicator of one or more other serious health conditions. Researchers in Australia recently conducted a clinical trial involving cannabis extracts and insomnia patients, and their findings are encouraging. Below is more information via a news release from NORML:

Melbourne, Australia: The short-term use of plant-derived cannabis extracts is well-tolerated and effective in patients diagnosed with insomnia, according to placebo-controlled trial data published in the Journal of Sleep Research.

Australian researchers assessed the use of a proprietary cannabis oil product (Entoura-10:15) versus placebo in 29 subjects with chronic insomnia. Extracts contained 10mg of THC and 15mg of CBD. Participants consumed either extracts or placebo for a period of two weeks.

Investigators reported that those receiving cannabis extracts experienced improved sleep quality by up to 80 percent, and that “60 percent of participants no longer classified as clinical insomniacs at the end of the two-week intervention period.”

They concluded: “Our short-term trial suggests Entoura 10:15 medicinal cannabis oil, containing THC:CBD 10:15 and lesser amounts of other CBs and naturally occurring terpenes, to be well tolerated and effective in significantly improving sleep quality and duration, midnight melatonin levels, quality of life, and mood within 2-weeks in adults with insomnia. … Long-term studies are needed to assess whether chronic medicinal cannabis intake can restore natural circadian rhythm without the need for ongoing cannabis intake.”

The results are similar to those of a prior placebo-controlled clinical trial, published in 2021, that also reported that plant-derived cannabis extracts are “well tolerated and improve insomnia symptoms and sleep quality in individuals with chronic insomnia symptoms.” Observational trials similarly report benefits in patients’ sleep quality following the inhalation of cannabis flowers prior to bedtime.

Full text of the study, “Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial,” appears in the Journal of Sleep Research. Additional information on cannabis and insomnia is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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Researchers In Australia Find Oral Cannabis Products To Be Safe And Effective

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Oral cannabis products have grown in popularity and availability in recent years. Many patients still prefer to consume medical cannabis in edible or inhaled form, however, some patients need to have smokeless options in forms that do not require chewing and other effort that is hard for some patients.

Many oral cannabis products have a long shelf life, are easy to transport and store, and provide a specific dosage of cannabinoids that many patients’ conditions and situations require. Oral cannabis products are not for every patient in every situation, yet they are a great option for many.

One lingering question that accompanies any new form of medicine is, ‘is it safe and effective?’ A team of researches in Australia recently explored the long-term safety and efficacy of oral cannabis products and the results were encouraging. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Western Australia, Australia: Patients authorized to consume plant-derived oral cannabis products show sustained improvements in their symptoms, according to longitudinal data published in the journal PLOS One.

Researchers assessed the long-terms safety and efficacy of oral cannabis products in a cohort of nearly 4,000 Australian patients authorized to use them. Study participants were naïve to cannabis prior to their enrollment in the trial. The majority of the study’s subjects (64 percent) suffered from chronic pain conditions. All of the study’s participants consumed oral cannabis products for a period of two years.

Investigators reported: “This is the largest and longest real-world analysis of the efficacy and safety of GMP [good manufacturing practices]-like oral medicinal cannabis (MC) in a continuous enrolment cohort registry. 3,961 heterogenous, cannabis naïve patients with a wide range of ages, clinical and complex conditions, and concomitant medications, prescribed oral MC, demonstrated a rapid and significant improvement across all measured patient and clinical reported validated outcomes. … Oral MC was well tolerated. … This safety is particularly salient in contrast to the safety and tolerability of prescribed long-term opioids.”

They concluded, “This large Australian longitudinal cohort registry of cannabis naïve, complex chronic disease patients treated with oral MC for over 24 consecutive months, demonstrates safety of oral generic medicinal cannabis, and demonstrated oral MC improves patient and clinician reported impact of pain, sleep and well-being.”

An estimated 100,000 Australians have been prescribed cannabis products following the enactment of legal changes in 2016 providing patients with regulatory access to medical marijuana products.

Full text of the study, “A large Australian longitudinal cohort registry demonstrates sustained safety and efficacy of oral medicinal cannabis for at least two years,” appears in PLOS One.

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Italian Researchers Examine Cannabis Spray And Stroke Survivors

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

According to the World Stroke Organization it is estimated that over 12 million people experience a stroke in any given year, and that as many as one out of every four people over 25 years old will have a stroke at some point during their life.

A stroke is defined by the Mayo Clinic as occurring when, “the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients.” Brain cells can begin to die very quickly when deprived of oxygen and nutrients.

Life after experiencing a stroke can be difficult for those that live through it, with many stroke survivors experiencing some level of paralysis due to the stroke. Post-stroke treatments can involve physical therapy and various medications.

A treatment that is growing in popularity is cannabis, and according to a recent study in Italy, at least one form of cannabis treatment appears to be safe for stroke survivors based on researchers’ findings. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Genova, Italy: The daily consumption of a proprietary oromucosal spray containing equal ratios of plant-derived THC and CBD (nabiximols aka Sativex) is not associated with cardiovascular complications in stroke survivors, according to clinical data published in the journal Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.

A team of Italian researchers assessed the safety of nabiximols in a cohort of 34 spasticity patients that had previously suffered from strokes.

Investigators reported: “No cardiovascular treatment-emergent adverse drug effects emerged during nabiximols treatment, namely no significant fluctuation of blood pressure and heart rate, nor ischemic or hemorrhagic events occurred. During nabiximols treatment, self-assessed blood pressure and heart rate did not change compared to the baseline condition. No patients showed significant acceleration or decrease in heart rate or change in rhythm and none required an additional ECG or cardiological evaluation during the study.”

They concluded, “These data support the cardiovascular safety of nabiximols.”

Analyses of nationally representative samples of recreational marijuana consumers have reported inconsistent results regarding the relationship between cannabis and adverse cardiovascular events. A 2021 study of 57,000 US adults concluded, “After controlling for several confounding variables, we found that there was a decrease in the prevalence of cardiovascular events with marijuana use (Odds Ratio: 0.74).” By contrast, a 2020 review of nearly 134,000 US adults reported, “Frequent marijuana smoking is associated with significantly higher odds of stroke and myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease, with a possible role in premature cardiovascular disease.”

More recently, the results of a literature review of 67 studies published in The American Journal of Medicine concluded, “[M]arijuana itself does not appear to be independently associated with excessive cardiovascular risk factors.” Authors did caution, however, that “it can be associated with other unhealthy behaviors such as alcohol use and tobacco smoking that can be detrimental” to cardiovascular health.

Similarly, a separate review published last year of 46 randomized clinical trials involving 2,800 patients concluded that consumption of either purified or synthetic cannabinoids, including THC, is not associated with any increased risk of serious cardiovascular events.

Full text of the study, “Nabiximols effect on blood pressure and heart rate in post-stroke patients of a randomized controlled study,” appears in the journal Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.

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The Top International Cannabis Stories Of 2022

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

As 2022 draws to a close we will look back on the biggest stories from the international cannabis community over the last year.

Germany

The biggest story of 2022 for international cannabis was clearly the unveiling of the long-awaited adult-use legalization plan in Germany. Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach made a formal presentation of the plan to the federal cabinet in October, and Minister Lauterbach is currently lobbying the European Union for its approval to officially introduce the measure which would legalize adult-use sales, possession, and home cultivation. The measure would also remove cannabis from Germany’s narcotics law. Legalization in Germany will have a domino effect on the continent, if not the world, with leaders in the Czech Republic already indicating that they will follow Germany’s lead.

Thailand

It is likely a safe bet that Thailand experienced more cannabis policy activity in 2022 than any other nation on the planet. In June Thailand implemented a very unique and historic cannabis policy, providing the opportunity for every household in the country to sign up to cultivate low-THC cannabis. In many ways Thailand’s new approach to cannabis policy is unlike anything else on earth. Unfortunately, after the new policy took effect cannabis opponents ramped up efforts to go backwards on cannabis policy. Regardless, 2022 was an enormous year for Thailand on the cannabis policy front.

Italy

In late 2021 Italy seemed poised to legalize cannabis in 2022, with local activists having submitted hundreds of thousands of signatures to put legalization to a vote. Enough of the signatures were deemed to be valid, however, Italy’s Supreme Court effectively vetoed the measure in February before voters receive the opportunity to weigh in.

Malta

One of the brightest moments in 2021 occurred when Malta became the first country in Europe to pass an adult-use legalization measure. The measure legalized possession and non-profit cannabis clubs, yet it did not legalize a regulated industry. Fortunately, it was announced this month that progress was made on the bureaucratic front for cannabis clubs, which was often unclear throughout 2022, and that applications for clubs will be available early in 2023.

Russia

It was a particularly tumultuous year for international basketball superstar Brittney Griner who was arrested at a Moscow airport for allegedly possessing vape pen oil in her luggage. Griner played professional basketball in Russia, in addition to the United States, and was traveling for work purposes. Griner would eventually be convicted and sentenced to 9 years of hard labor in a Russian prison camp. Fortunately, Griner would be freed as part of a prisoner swap between Russia and the United States, ending the 10-month ordeal, but not before highlighting how truly terrible Russia’s cannabis policies are.

Slovenia

Cannabis reform efforts ramped up considerably in Slovenia in 2022, with one of the nation’s leading public health experts, Cf. Dušan Nolimal Ph.D., calling for an end to cannabis prohibition in the Balkan nation via an op-ed in the country’s largest media publication. The University of Ljubljana, in conjunction with the Research Nature Institute, also held a seminar in 2022 that featured leading cannabis experts from all over the globe.

Canada

Canada is home to the largest ‘cannabis policy experiment’ on earth as of right now, and 2022 marked the four-year anniversary of the launch of national adult-use sales in Canada. As part of Canada’s cannabis policy approach, the government is conducting a four-year review to see what lessons can be learned. That information will not only be useful to Canada, but also to other countries that are considering following in Canada’s footsteps.

United States

Federal cannabis policy reform in the United States continues to remain elusive on many fronts, however, there was one historic moment in 2022. For the first time since the start of federal cannabis prohibition in the United States the nation’s Congress passed a stand-alone cannabis measure. The ‘Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act’ was passed and signed into law this year, with the measure geared towards boosting cannabis research efforts in the U.S. Unfortunately, the research legislation was the only federal cannabis measure passed in the U.S. in 2022.

Morocco

Historically, Morocco has served as a top international supplier of unregulated cannabis, especially hashish. Morocco was very active in 2022 as it works to move domestic cannabis production into a regulated system. In a historic first, Morocco issued the nation’s first cannabis production permits in 2022.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is currently the largest producer of tobacco on the African continent, with tobacco accounting for as much as 20% of Zimbabwe’s exports. With demand for tobacco products shrinking across the globe, farmers in Zimbabwe are looking for a better crop to cultivate. In 2022 Zimbabwe’s emerging cannabis industry made significant strides, with nearly 5 dozen cannabis companies operating within Zimbabwe’s borders during the year.

Rwanda

Rwanda is one of the poorest countries on earth, with war and conflict being a big contributor. Any economic boost is surely welcomed in Rwanda, and fortunately cannabis reform and an emerging industry are ramping up. Rwanda’s government designated 134 hectares for cannabis production in 2022, and that will hopefully lead to more economic opportunities for the African nation.

Israel

When it comes to cannabis research, Israel has long served as an international leader. Every year researchers in Israel conduct insightful cannabis research, and 2022 was no exception. Additionally, one thing that was extra noteworthy in Israel in 2022 was the nation permitting cannabis seed exports to the United States for the first time.

China And Japan

At a time when cannabis reform seems to be spreading to every corner of the globe, China and Japan are both going in the opposite direction. In China’s largest financial hub, Hong Kong, government officials announced a looming crackdown on CBD businesses in 2022 (to take effect in 2023), with the proposed penalty for future violations being as much as 7 years in prison. In Japan, a government health panel recommended in 2022 that the country boost limited safe access to medical cannabis, which is commendable to some degree. However, coupled with that was an additional recommendation to make the mere act of having consumed cannabis a crime, and that is obviously unacceptable.

Australia And New Zealand

The University of Sydney announced in 2022 that it would offer free cannabis testing to residents of the Australian Capital Territory. In New Zealand, where voters narrowly shot down an adult-legalization measure two years prior, the government announced in 2022 that domestic cannabis production would finally become a reality after years of patients having to solely rely on imported products.

Uruguay

Uruguay will always hold the title of being the first country to ever pass a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. Yet, the nation’s cannabis policies are still evolving all of these years later, with it being announced in late 2022 that pharmacies would start selling a new variety of cannabis with higher amounts of THC and lower amounts of CBD.

Colombia

It was a very active year in Colombia, where lawmakers continue to work towards passing an adult-use legalization measure. Successful votes were held in 2022 to push legalization forward, and it could result in legalization being pushed over the top in the coming year.

Brazil

Brazil was another country that experienced quite a bit of cannabis activity in 2022, on both the political and industry sides of the cannabis equation. This year also included court decisions in Brazil that bolstered legal protections for medical cannabis patients that cultivate their own medicine.

Argentina

Not to be outdone when it comes to cannabis activity in 2022, Argentina could easily make a case that it was the most active nation in South America. In addition to issuing its first domestic cannabis production license, the government of Argentina launched a public company to provide seeds, testing, and training to the nation’s emerging industry.

Bermuda

It was a bittersweet year for cannabis advocates in Bermuda, where lawmakers approved a substantial cannabis reform measure just to have it later blocked by the nation’s UK-appointed Governor. Due to colonization laws, Bermuda must receive ‘royal assent’ from the UK via an appointed Governor. It’s unclear if/when Bermuda will ever be able to decide its own cannabis policies.

What Didn’t Happen In 2022

Just as it is important to highlight what did occur in 2022 within the international cannabis community, it’s also worth mentioning what did not occur. Going into 2022 Luxembourg seemed poised to pass an adult-use legalization measure, with the same seeming to be true about Mexico and South Africa as well. Unfortunately, legalization never materialized in any of the three countries in 2022.

In the cases of Mexico and South Africa, previous court decisions determined that cannabis prohibition was unconstitutional, however, lawmakers have struggled to fully implement those decisions. Hopefully 2023 will prove to be the year that legalization measures get across the finish line in all three countries, and beyond.

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UK Study Finds PTSD Symptoms Improved After Cannabis Use

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

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a major public health issue all over the world. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is estimated to be 3.9% in the general population, and a much higher rate for those that have lived in countries where war and conflict has occurred.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it.”

As with most health conditions, there are varying degrees of severity when it comes to PTSD, ranging from mild anxiety all the way to full blown panic attacks occurring regularly to the point that the patient can’t function. Flashbacks and regular nightmares are also symptoms of PTSD.

Fortunately, the cannabis plant has been found by a growing list of studies to help people that suffer from PTSD. A recent study in the United Kingdom found that cannabis use is associated with improved symptoms among patients suffering from PTSD. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Patients with post-traumatic stress experience symptom improvements following the use of cannabis products, according to data published in the journal Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics.

British investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of cannabis products in 162 PTSD patients with a physician’s authorization. Study subjects were participants in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Study participants consumed either cannabis extracts or THC-dominant flowers for a period of six-months.

Authors reported that patients showed “statistically significant improvements” in a variety of domains, including sleep, anxiety, and stress. Self-reported adverse events were typically mild in severity.

“This observational study suggests an association between CBMP [cannabis-based medicinal products] treatment and improvement in PTSD-specific, HRQoL [health-related quality of life], sleep, and anxiety outcomes at up to 6-month follow-up,” they concluded. “CBMPs were well-tolerated and adverse events manageable. … [T]his study can serve to inform future randomized placebo-controlled trials with the aim of confirming these promising effects, whilst informing current clinical practice.”

Observational studies assessing the role of cannabinoids in mitigating symptoms of PTSD have generally yielded mixed results. A 2021 clinical trial reported that the inhalation of marijuana flowers provided limited benefits compared to placebo in treating symptoms of PTSD.

Full text of the study, “Assessment of clinical outcomes in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder: Analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry,” appears in the journal Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. Additional information on cannabis and post-traumatic stress is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.