According to a new study, regular cannabis use has been linked to reduced pain and improved cognition in cancer patients. It was likewise found to be beneficial for individuals receiving chemotherapy. While this may seem contrary to the long-held belief that cannabis causes cognitive impairment, this side effect was found to be temporary.
Unexpected Results
According to the University of Colorado study, patients who use cannabis over a period of two weeks reported that their thinking actually began to clear. This was quite an unexpected result as many of the researchers anticipated cognitive function issues. However, according to Angela Bryan, one of the researchers, “People actually felt like they were thinking more clearly. It was a surprise”. Many of the study’s participants also reported that their sleep quality had improved. Additionally, many also reported that the pain associated with chemotherapy and cancer had been reduced. For the study, the participants were able to choose from a range of edibles sourced from dispensaries in Colorado.
These included gummies, baked goods, and cannabis-infused tinctures. This differs from other studies whose patients are limited to pharmaceutical-grade cannabis grown at sources that have been federally authorized. These strains tend to be low in THC and other potentially beneficial cannabinoids. Therefore lawmakers have been pushing for changes that would allow researchers to source their cannabis from dispensaries as well. This practice is still mostly restricted as cannabis is still federally prohibited. This means that participants currently have to source their own cannabis from dispensaries and report back on their experiences.
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The Benefits of Studying Cannabis Grown In State Markets
The study has revealed that there are many benefits to exploring the effects of state-grown cannabis available on the market. According to the study, cannabis offers significant therapeutic potential, but more study is needed regarding the different effects produced by the various edible products. They discovered that participants who consumed CBD-rich edibles experienced less pain than participants who had consumed THC-rich edibles. The researchers drove to every participant’s home in a mobile laboratory and carried out various cognitive and physical tests before and after cannabis consumption.
The participants initially reported that their pain levels dropped within an hour of consumption, yet this was accompanied by a feeling of intoxication that impaired their cognitive abilities. However, in follow-up sessions over a two-week period, the participants reported that the impairment was eventually replaced with mental clarity. Reaction time and other objective measures were also used and revealed improvement after long-term use. According to the authors of the study, “This observational study is among the first of its kind to examine associations between legal market, palliative cannabis use, and subjective and objective outcomes among cancer patients”. They hope these early studies will eventually serve to inform subsequent larger studies regarding this topic.
The Importance of Improved Cognitive Function
Many doctors and patients are concerned about the potential negative side effects of conventional cancer treatments. Therefore, it is important to increase our understanding of the role cannabis plays in improving cognitive function. Finding a suitable pain reliever has become progressively more important, especially considering the growing opioid epidemic. Several studies have already indicated a decline in opioid prescriptions and overdoses linked to the legalization of cannabis.
For example, one study published by the American Medical Association revealed that patients who suffered from chronic pain reported a marked reduction in prescribed opioids after a month of medical cannabis use. Another study confirmed that certain cancer patients reported the same reduction in opioid use after using medical cannabis. According to another study, cannabis legalization on a state level was also linked to a marked reduction in codeine prescriptions. Any medically prescribed product that has the potential to improve cognitive ability in cancer patients and reduce reliance on opioids deserves to be researched more.
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