A recent study involving hundreds of individuals using medical cannabis has shown significant and rapid improvements in overall health during the first three months of use, according to research from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). The findings, published in the “Cannabis Research Journal,” followed almost 400 adults in Pennsylvania who were new to medical marijuana treatments.
The participants, who were 46 years of age on average, used medical cannabis to address more than 20 health conditions recognized under Pennsylvania’s qualifying medical cannabis program. The most common conditions treated were severe chronic pain and anxiety disorders.
The research revealed that the respondents experienced health improvements in all aspects of their lives, including reduced pain, increased energy levels and enhanced physical, emotional and social functioning.
Lead researcher Dr. Michelle R. Lent noted that more research needs to be done to determine the long-term effects of medicinal cannabis use on health and everyday functioning. Further, she emphasized that the study — one of the most extensive so far — provides valuable insights into how medical marijuana use affects people’s lives.
“Knowing which patients can benefit most from particular therapies is crucial in this era of personalized medicine,” she added.
The respondents noted significant gains in their emotional well-being and capacity to carry out everyday duties, among other areas, after three months. Positive changes were also observed in social interactions and physical constraints.
These gains, according to the study, constituted what the researchers defined as clinically relevant progress. Notably, social functioning improved by 20%, emotional health improved by 15% and reported pain levels decreased by 20%. Compared to older adults, younger participants showed the greatest improvements in terms of their physical and pain-related outcomes.
Lent noted that deciding whether to include medical cannabis as part of a treatment plan can be difficult for both patients and healthcare providers. However, studies such as this one offer evidence in favor of more widespread access to medical marijuana treatments.
The researchers assessed the participants at intervals of three, six, nine and twelve months. While data beyond the three-month mark have yet to be fully analyzed, future studies aim to explore whether these early improvements are sustained over the longer term.
The majority of participants in the study were white and female, which may offer additional insights into the specific populations benefiting from medical-marijuana treatments.
As more of these studies are conducted, it will become clearer that the various medical marijuana products from entities such as Canopy Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: CGC) (TSX: WEED) possibly make a significant contribution to improving the well-being and health of those who opt for these products in lieu of, or as additions to, their conventional medications.
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