cannabis

Posted on Pain Management

Chronic pain patients are more supportive of cannabis access than doctors

8 in 10 cannabis users report combining marijuana with exercise, saying it boosts motivation and mood, eases pain

Adults with chronic pain are significantly more supportive of policies expanding cannabis access than the physicians who treat them, according to a study from Rutgers Health and other institutions.

The study surveyed over 1,600 individuals with chronic pain and 1,000 physicians in states with medical cannabis programs, including New Jersey. The researchers discovered that 71% of chronic pain patients were in favour of the federal legalization of medical cannabis, while 59% of physicians shared the same viewpoint.

“Cannabis has a unique and complex policy landscape,” noted Elizabeth Stone, a core faculty member at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research and the study’s lead author. “Depending on the state you’re in, medical cannabis may be legal, both medical and recreational use may be legal, neither may be legal, or some aspects may be decriminalized.”

Currently, 38 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized medical cannabis use, and New Jersey and 23 other states, along with D.C., have legalized it for adult recreational use. However, cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. Schedule I drugs are considered to have the highest risk of abuse with no recognized medical use, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Among those polled for the study, 55% of chronic pain patients but 38% of physicians supported federal legalization of cannabis for adult recreational use. Some 64% of patients, but 51% of physicians, favoured requiring insurance coverage for cannabis treatment of chronic pain.

“Overall, individuals with chronic pain were more supportive of policies that would expand access to medical cannabis, while healthcare providers were more supportive of policies that would restrict access to medical cannabis,” said Stone, who is also an instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The researchers tapped two separate survey groups for the study data: One contained adults with noncancer pain lasting six months or more, and the other contained primary care providers and various specialty physicians.

Personal experience played a significant role in shaping attitudes for both groups. People who had used cannabis for chronic pain reported the highest levels of support for expanding access. Physicians who hadn’t recommended cannabis for chronic pain management reported the lowest levels of support.

The study also found broad support for increased education for doctors prescribing medical cannabis. About 70% of both patients and physicians favoured requiring medical schools to train future doctors on cannabis treatment for chronic noncancer pain.

“I think it points to the need for future guidance around cannabis use and efficacy,” Stone said. “Is it something they should be recommending? If so, are there different considerations for types of products or modes of use or concentration?”

Posted on ADHD

Low ADHD risk from prenatal cannabis use study shows

8 in 10 cannabis users report combining marijuana with exercise, saying it boosts motivation and mood, eases pain

A new study reveals nuanced findings on the neuropsychiatric risks of prenatal cannabis exposure. The research found a slight increase in the risk of ADHD and a heightened vulnerability to cannabis use in offspring. These results highlight the need for continued caution and further investigation into the long-term effects of cannabis use during pregnancy.

A new study led by Prof. Ilan Matok and Hely Bassalov PharmD from the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the School of Pharmacy in the Faculty of Medicine at Hebrew University in collaboration with Prof. Omer Bonne and Dr. Noa Yakirevich-Amir from the Department of Psychiatry at the Hadassah Medical Center, sheds light on the potential long-term neuropsychiatric risks associated with prenatal cannabis exposure. As the global trend toward cannabis legalization continues, the prevalence of cannabis use among pregnant women is on the rise, raising concerns about its impact on fetal development.

The study, a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis involving over 500,000 participants from observational studies, aimed to assess the potential risks posed by prenatal exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. THC is known to cross the placenta, potentially affecting the developing fetal brain.

The results of the study provide a nuanced understanding of the potential risks. Most notably, the findings indicate no significant association between prenatal cannabis exposure and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), psychotic symptoms, anxiety, or depression in offspring. However, the study did identify a slight increase in the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a heightened vulnerability to cannabis consumption in children exposed to cannabis in utero.

“These findings suggest that while prenatal cannabis exposure does not appear to increase the risk for many neuropsychiatric disorders significantly, there is still a mild increase in the risk for ADHD and a greater likelihood of cannabis use in the offspring,” said Prof. Matok. “This calls for cautious interpretation, as it does not confirm the safety of cannabis consumption during pregnancy.”

The study emphasizes the importance of continued research in this area, especially given that most of the studies on the subject were conducted between the 1980s and early 2000s when cannabis was characterized by considerably lower Δ9-THC content than currently used compounds. Thus, findings presented in the current study may potentially underestimate the impact of contemporary prenatal cannabis exposure on long-term neuropsychiatric outcomes.

“While our study provides important insights, it is crucial to recognize that these results are not definitive. Pregnant women should be aware of the potential risks, and healthcare providers should continue to advise caution when it comes to cannabis use during pregnancy,” Prof. Matok added.

This research marks a significant step forward in understanding the complex relationship between prenatal cannabis exposure and neuropsychiatric outcomes in children. As the legal landscape surrounding cannabis continues to evolve, studies like this will be essential in guiding public health recommendations and ensuring the well-being of future generations.

Posted on Rheumatoid arthritis

“Why does cannabis help with rheumatoid arthritis? A doctor explains about medical cannabis.”

Dr. Jagmeet Sethi, MD, drawing from data on 15,000 patients and 40,000 visits over seven years, emphatically asserts that cannabis, encompassing both CBD oil and THC, effectively alleviates joint pain in Rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Jagmeet Sethi, MD, a reputable medical professional, confidently expounds on how CBD oil benefits rheumatoid arthritis and the significant role of THC oils in providing relief from joint pain. With his extensive experience, Dr. Jagmeet Sethi emphasizes that cannabis undeniably diminishes inflammation, reduces pain, and alleviates muscle stiffness, thereby enhancing overall function.

Posted on Fibromyalgia

“Can cannabis effectively treat fibromyalgia pain?”

A lot of individuals suffering from fibromyalgia have shared that cannabis, also known as medical marijuana, provides relief for their pain. However, there hasn’t been enough research to support this claim until recently. In the video, I’ll discuss how cannabis works in the body to alleviate pain, and I’ll also delve into recent studies that explore the effectiveness of cannabis in reducing fibromyalgia pain.

Posted on Diabetes

Cannabis use among adults with diabetes is on the rise

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have found a significant increase in cannabis use among adults with diabetes in the United States, raising concerns about the potential impact on their health outcomes. The new study, which analyzed nationally representative data from the 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), estimated that 9.0 percent of adults with diabetes used cannabis in the past month, with a 33.7 percent increase in prevalence—from 7.7 percent to 10.3 percent—between 2021 and 2022.

The findings raise concerns about the health consequences of cannabis use among people with diabetes. Previous studies have found cannabis use to be associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, to which people with diabetes are already vulnerable.

The researchers note that the use of cannabis among adults with diabetes may be driven by its perceived therapeutic benefits, including insomnia and pain relief for neuropathy. Additionally, the legalization of cannabis in multiple states has resulted in increased access to cannabis products, leading many people with chronic illnesses to turn to cannabis as an alternative means to manage their symptoms.