A promising new study published in the journal Frontiers of Public Health showed that more than 60 percent of patients reported significant improvement in conditions related to sleep disorders, PTSD, and chronic pain after using cannabis products. It joins a growing number of reports and trials that strongly indicate cannabis can be effective at treating a wide range of medical conditions and disorders. 

These studies also mirror a social shift towards broader cannabis use, particularly in aging communities. 

Methodology 

The study was conducted by a team of Canadian and Italian researchers, collaborating to collect data from 214 participants over an eight-month period. Based in Canada, each patient filled out a series of online surveys and followed a six-week treatment period consisting of frequent cannabis use. Each subsequent survey recorded any improvement or change in status. 

Most of the patients were 50 years of age or older, and all experienced some symptoms of chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or sleep disorders. In each of these measured categories, and in many others, cannabis proved extremely effective. 

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain was particularly receptive to cannabis. After six weeks of using two types of cannabis products, high CBD and high THC, a full 60 percent of patients reported substantial improvement. Among them, 32 percent preferred the relief of the high CBD blends, while the remaining 28 found the high THC blend more effective. 

According to the data, cannabis was most effective when treating one of two distinct types of chronic pain: nociceptive or neuropathic. Nociceptive pain is caused by the stimulation of sensory nerve cells along the nervous system. Conversely, neuropathic pain is the result of the nervous system malfunctioning. Damage to some part of the nervous system most commonly leads to neuropathic pain.

In both cases, cannabinoids within cannabis have been shown to interact with the nervous system via receptors throughout the body. Researchers believe it is these interactions that allows cannabis to provide its beneficial effects.

PTSD

Among patients experiencing symptoms of PTSD, 81 percent reported improvement after using the high CBD and high THC cannabis blends. These symptoms vary wildly between patients, but typically involve some combination of increased anxiety, trouble sleeping, and heightened stress levels. 

Sleep Disorder

Patients dealing with sleep disorders saw more improvement than any other category. An overwhelming 92 percent of users reported a reduction in symptoms at the end of the six-week trial. All patients took regular doses of both high THC and high CBD vape blends. 

Other Improvements 

In addition to the three main areas of focus, researchers also tracked several other data points related to wellness. Patients reported an increase in feelings of general wellbeing, with 89 percent noting they felt some degree of improvement. Among those, 42 percent said they felt “better” or “a great deal better.”

Takeaways 

This study and others like it help the public and lawmakers better understand the relationship between cannabis and medicine. Just last year a different research team based out of Canada conducted a massive study with more than 700 participants. They found that cannabis significantly improved symptoms of chronic pain in as quickly as one month. 

As the data continues to mount, the question moving forward is whether or not countries will opt to embrace or reject cannabis and its many potential applications.

Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.