Those suffering from various rheumatological ailments are forced to deal with pain and trouble sleeping as a result. However, a study released in April 2021 studied the effect of medical cannabis on these ailments. They specifically examined the effects on the pain and quality of sleep.

Description

For clarification, rheumatological ailments refer to diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones. These include arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, and tendonitis. As such, these are typically connected with symptoms of chronic pain.

Study

The study involved the researchers evaluating the effect of medical cannabis on pain and quality of sleep of patients of a rheumatology clinic. First, the researchers contacted specific patients, who go to the clinic and have licenses for cannabis use. Then, the researchers questioned the patients about their demographic and clinical parameters. These parameters included the type of medical cannabis they used, the way they consumed it, and their current monthly consumed amount.

Results

The researchers found 351 patients, with 319 completing the questionnaire. 82 percent had fibromyalgia, about nine percent had mechanical problems, about four percent had inflammatory problems, about four percent had neurological problems, and about one percent had other problems. Additionally, the average monthly consumed dose of medical cannabis in all groups was 31- 36g. Their mean pain level reduction of 57 – 83 percent. The researchers found that the THC concentration, the medical cannabis consumption duration, and the medical cannabis consumption dose had significant impacts on the two studied factors. This is specifically focusing on pain reduction and sleep quality. They each affected the pain reduction. However, the medical cannabis consumption duration alone had a significant correlation with sleep quality improvement.

Discussion

These results show that the treatment of medical cannabis can help with a number of different chronic pain-related ailments. In fact, it supports past studies that showed it could help with other ailments. These include ailments like fibromyalgia or those that cause musculoskeletal pain. Also, with showing how cannabis could reduce the pain of those taking it goes along with past studies that described how it could replace painkillers. Hopefully, as researchers continue to look into the benefits of cannabis, they will be able to decisively show patients can use it as a treatment.

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