Recent Research Studies and implications for UNVC
Addiction
Of 21 patients on opioid pain medications for post-traumatic concussions, 38% of patients decreased or discontinued their pain medications when treated with medical cannabis. (Neurology, 2019)
In states where marijuana is available through medical channels, a modestly lower rate of opioid and high-risk opioid prescribing was observed. Medical marijuana legalization was associated with a lower odds of any opioid use: OR = 0.95 (0.94–0.96), chronic opioid use: OR = 0.93 (0.91–0.95), and high-risk opioid use: OR = 0.96 (0.94–0.98). (Journal of Internal Medicine, 2019)
Thirty-two (32%) percent of people who try tobacco become dependent, whereas 15% who try alcohol and only 9% who try marijuana become dependent. (Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law, 2018)
Owing to substantial methodological issues, previous epidemiological and clinical studies examining marijuana smoking on the risk of tobacco-sensitive lung diseases (e.g., lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) have not produced consistent results. (Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2018)
There is emerging scientific evidence indicating that marijuana can serve as a pathway away from dependency of more dangerous substances, including prescription drugs, heroin, and alcohol. (Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law, 2018)
Administration of a therapeutic dose of CBD (750 mg) showed significantly low abuse potential in a highly sensitive population of polydrug users. (Epilepsy Behavior, 2018)
States permitting medical marijuana dispensaries experience a relative decrease in opioid addictions and opioid overdose deaths (RAND BING Center for Health Economics, 2015)
Cigarette smokers who used CBD smoked approximately 40% fewer cigarettes when using CBD. (Addictive Behaviors, 2013)
Unlike other addictions, cannabis dependence of mild to moderate severity is not associated with dopamine release alterations in the brain. However, earlier or longer duration of use is related to lower dopamine release. These observations suggest a more harmful effect of using marijuana during adolescence. (Biological Psychiatry, 2012)
Aging Effects
In one small study of ten women with severe dementia, an oral cannabis extract with THC/CBD, in higher doses than in other studies, was well tolerated and greatly improved behavior problems, rigidity, and daily care. (Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 2019)
64% of seniors rated their quality of life as “good” after using CBD, up from 31.1% prior to using CBD. (Remedy Review, 2018) 61.1% of seniors who tried CBD reported reduced pain. (Remedy Review, 2018)
45.6% of seniors who used CBD said it improved their sleep quality. (Remedy Review, 2018)
7.8% of seniors reported CBD improved their cognitive function. (Remedy Review, 2018)
5.6% of seniors who tried CBD reported decreased blood pressure. (Remedy Review, 2018)
Overall, 28.9% of CBD users over age 54 claimed it was “extremely effective” at treating symptoms.(Remedy Review, 2018)
Findings from a small study suggest that, when carefully matched on baseline variables and not differing in IQ or alcohol use, young, near-daily cannabis users do not differ from non-using control subjects in prospective memory performance. (Frontiers in Psychology, 2018)
Patients with dementia-related agitation and appetite loss who were treated with dronabinol – a cannabinoid – (average dosage =7.03 mg/d) experienced significant reductions in all aspects of agitation, including aberrant vocalization, motor agitation, aggressiveness, and treatment resistance (p <.0001), but no significant improvements in appetite. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, 2014)
Anxiety
Among people using benzodiazepines (commonly prescribed to reduce anxiety) who took CBD, 45.2% were able to stop using benzodiazepines. (Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2019)
THC or CBD given in addition to other pharmacotherapies and psychotherapy improved specific symptoms of some disorders (e.g. in dementia, cannabis and opioid dependence, schizophrenia, general social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and Tourette`s disorder). (European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 2019)
High-dose oral CBD (150–600 mg/d) may exert a therapeutic effect for social anxiety disorder, insomnia and epilepsy, but also that it may cause mental sedation (Cannahealth, 2019)
https://www.cannahealth.org/cbd-cannabis-statistics/
Addiction
Of 21 patients on opioid pain medications for post-traumatic concussions, 38% of patients decreased or discontinued their pain medications when treated with medical cannabis. (Neurology, 2019)
In states where marijuana is available through medical channels, a modestly lower rate of opioid and high-risk opioid prescribing was observed. Medical marijuana legalization was associated with a lower odds of any opioid use: OR = 0.95 (0.94–0.96), chronic opioid use: OR = 0.93 (0.91–0.95), and high-risk opioid use: OR = 0.96 (0.94–0.98). (Journal of Internal Medicine, 2019)
Thirty-two (32%) percent of people who try tobacco become dependent, whereas 15% who try alcohol and only 9% who try marijuana become dependent. (Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law, 2018)
Owing to substantial methodological issues, previous epidemiological and clinical studies examining marijuana smoking on the risk of tobacco-sensitive lung diseases (e.g., lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) have not produced consistent results. (Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2018)
There is emerging scientific evidence indicating that marijuana can serve as a pathway away from dependency of more dangerous substances, including prescription drugs, heroin, and alcohol. (Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law, 2018)
Administration of a therapeutic dose of CBD (750 mg) showed significantly low abuse potential in a highly sensitive population of polydrug users. (Epilepsy Behavior, 2018)
States permitting medical marijuana dispensaries experience a relative decrease in opioid addictions and opioid overdose deaths (RAND BING Center for Health Economics, 2015)
Cigarette smokers who used CBD smoked approximately 40% fewer cigarettes when using CBD. (Addictive Behaviors, 2013)
Unlike other addictions, cannabis dependence of mild to moderate severity is not associated with dopamine release alterations in the brain. However, earlier or longer duration of use is related to lower dopamine release. These observations suggest a more harmful effect of using marijuana during adolescence. (Biological Psychiatry, 2012)
Aging Effects
In one small study of ten women with severe dementia, an oral cannabis extract with THC/CBD, in higher doses than in other studies, was well tolerated and greatly improved behavior problems, rigidity, and daily care. (Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 2019)
64% of seniors rated their quality of life as “good” after using CBD, up from 31.1% prior to using CBD. (Remedy Review, 2018) 61.1% of seniors who tried CBD reported reduced pain. (Remedy Review, 2018)
45.6% of seniors who used CBD said it improved their sleep quality. (Remedy Review, 2018)
7.8% of seniors reported CBD improved their cognitive function. (Remedy Review, 2018)
5.6% of seniors who tried CBD reported decreased blood pressure. (Remedy Review, 2018)
Overall, 28.9% of CBD users over age 54 claimed it was “extremely effective” at treating symptoms.(Remedy Review, 2018)
Findings from a small study suggest that, when carefully matched on baseline variables and not differing in IQ or alcohol use, young, near-daily cannabis users do not differ from non-using control subjects in prospective memory performance. (Frontiers in Psychology, 2018)
Patients with dementia-related agitation and appetite loss who were treated with dronabinol – a cannabinoid – (average dosage =7.03 mg/d) experienced significant reductions in all aspects of agitation, including aberrant vocalization, motor agitation, aggressiveness, and treatment resistance (p <.0001), but no significant improvements in appetite. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, 2014)
Anxiety
Among people using benzodiazepines (commonly prescribed to reduce anxiety) who took CBD, 45.2% were able to stop using benzodiazepines. (Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2019)
THC or CBD given in addition to other pharmacotherapies and psychotherapy improved specific symptoms of some disorders (e.g. in dementia, cannabis and opioid dependence, schizophrenia, general social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and Tourette`s disorder). (European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 2019)
High-dose oral CBD (150–600 mg/d) may exert a therapeutic effect for social anxiety disorder, insomnia and epilepsy, but also that it may cause mental sedation (Cannahealth, 2019)
https://www.cannahealth.org/cbd-cannabis-statistics/
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