Plant for Thought by labroots

Users of Medical Cannabis Reduce Their Alcohol Intake

An article published by labroots, and written by Angela Dowden, summarizes the results of a Canadian Cannabis Patient Survey from 2019. This study reflected an observed decrease in substance use (alcohol, opioids, and illicit drugs) in cannabis-authorized individuals. Among these 2,102 individuals, 973 reported previous alcohol use, of which 419 (or 44%) said they reduced their use frequency over the past 30 days. These results add to a growing body of findings that imply cannabis as a safer alternative to other substances. The authors of this survey report, “Since alcohol is the most prevalent recreational substance in North America, and its use results in significant rates of criminality, morbidity and mortality, these findings may result in improved health outcomes for medical cannabis patients, as well as overall improvements in public health and safety. ” Consider reading the Oregon State University study (on collegiate level binge drinking reductions) and viewing the research indicating the reduction of binge drinking in states with legalized cannabis for more information.

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Who Gets Cannabis Use Disorder? A Risk Prediction model Could Find Out

An article published by labroots, and written by Angela Dowden, wants to emphasize that despite the man upsides to cannabis use, there are some considerations to be made. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classifies a condition called: Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). With increased legalization in the United States, there will be an investable climb in those suffering from CUD. A LASSO statistical model (which accounts for genetic factors) predicted with 66% accuracy the results of a 118 person study, which states that “higher risk of CUD was associated with younger age, lower level of enjoyment from initial smoking, higher score on impulsivity, greater cognitive instability, higher neuroticism (i.e. more prone to experience negative feelings), greater openness to new experiences, and lower conscientiousness”. A more influential study will require a larger sample size be used in the future.

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Can Cannabis Treat Epilepsy?

An article published by labroots, and written by Annie Lennon, discusses a randomized clinical trial conducted by Epidolex in 2017 which has shown that cannabidiol (CBD) can reduce the symptoms of epilepsy. CBD is the non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis and was found to reduce monthly Dravet Syndrome (childhood-onset epilepsy) seizures by 39%, as compared to 13% in the placebo group, in those ages 2 to 18. Similar results were confirmed again in 2018 in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a serve childhood epilepsy, which showed a 42% decrease in seizures, as compares to 17% in the placebo group. Generally, these decreases were met with improvements in mood, sleep quality, and cognitive ability as well. Nevertheless, this should not be considered the gold standard for epilepsy treatment quite yet, as there are studies that reflect no difference in epilepsy improvement, with large variances that depend on the person being cared for with CBD.

To view the original article, please visit labroots.