Medical Applications of Cannabis
medical applications
Medical cannabis can and has been used for a variety of indications. In many cases, cannabis has been very effective for patients where traditional medicines have not helped sufficiently or if the side-effects are too severe. However, cannabis is not simply a “last resort” medicine and studies show varying degrees of evidence for cannabis being an effective treatment for a wide range of diseases. In general, up-to-date research indicates that medical cannabis does not cure diseases or disorders, but it can relieve symptoms associated with them or halt progression of a disease. This can often result in a higher quality of life for patients.
Neuropathic pain
Data on the use of cannabinoids in neuropathic pain comes from different origins (i.e.: diabetes-associated, chemotherapy-induced, post-traumatic, HIV-associated). Results of a meta-analysis in “Annals of Internal Medicine” show that cannabinoids can effectively relieve neuropathic pain.
Central nervous pain in multiple sclerosis
A systematic review of an overview analysis shows a good response to the use of cannabinoids in patients with central nervous pain, as well as in patients with painful spasms resulting from multiple sclerosis. A multicentric study in several European countries has shown that the use of cannabis drugs in multiple sclerosis can lead to a reduction in spasticity and an improvement in spasm frequency and sleep.
Cancer pain
Cannabis-based drugs can be used as part of the pain therapy in patients with tumors. Patients who cannot get sufficient pain relief with existing commercial painkillers, can benefit from the additional administration of cannabinoids.
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
One of the first scientifically studied properties of cannabinoids was its antiemetic effect. By as early as the 1970s, THC was first shown to effectively alleviate nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients.6 Since then, these effects have been confirmed in numerous studies and meta-analyses.
Anorexia and cachexia
The appetite-stimulating effect of cannabinoids has been studied in patients with cancer, as well as with HIV, for which there are several studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of cannabis-based drugs to stimulate appetite. Advanced cancer patients reported improved appetite and better mood while eating after being administered THC.
Cannabis Dosing
Dosage varies from patient to patient. Like with many medicines, individual patients will respond differently to medical cannabis. Their response depends on the cannabis product used and the condition being treated. The duration of treatment, mode of administration and genetic predispositions are also likely to impact a patient’s response to the medicine. Medical cannabis is a truly individualized medicine, having a different effect on each patient. It is important that the dosage is titrated (built up) slowly, whichever product is used. It is important to find the right dose for each individual patient for them to fully benefit from medical cannabis. Most unwanted side effects of medical cannabis may be prevented by following just a few simple guidelines, but you should always follow the advice and dosing regimen as directed by your prescribing physician.
Advisory from Healthcare Practitioners for starting Cannabis Treatment
Start Low
It is advisable to start low and go slow. It is better to take several small doses in a day that add up to the required result, than to start with one single large dose.
Go Slowly
After a few days, the dose can usually be increased. The patient must be monitored carefully after each increase in dosage.
Patience
Cannabis may have a different effect on each patient. Wait for the effect (if any) to appear and monitor for several days any effects that may occur.
Preventing getting ‘high’
Some patients experience an unwanted ‘high’. This can usually be prevented by consuming lower doses, or by administering the dose slowly over a longer period. The chance of experiencing these effects is greater when medical cannabis is consumed orally, because the digestive system releases THC-metabolites. These chemicals are even more psychoactive than THC itself. This is one of the reasons why edibles commonly lead to problems with overdosing.
Reduction of undesirable side effects
As the data increasingly demonstrates the effectiveness of cannabis in pain therapy, some have considered medical cannabis as a substitute for opioids. A research study discovered that after adding cannabis to the opioid regimen, 83.5% of participants were able to reduce their daily opioid dose and 40.5% of patients ceased opioid prescriptions entirely. Data collected in the United States show that opioid-related mortality is lower in states with legal access to medical cannabis than in states without medical cannabis programs; similar figures also apply to U.S. rates of hospitalisation and addiction as a result of opioids.In addition, according to data from Medicare and Medicaid, prescriptions for opioids in states with medical cannabis programs and/or liberal policies regarding cannabis possession have declined significantly.
General Information
As cannabis falls under Schedule III of the Narcotics Act, we are not legally permitted to give more detailed information about our products or to market our products through advertising measures. Furthermore, we are not authorized to publish more detailed product information. We ask for your understanding in this matter. However, we will be happy to provide HCPs such as doctors or pharmacists with comprehensive information.
