On today's Cannabis Boomer's Journal of News and Reviews in Cannabis Science, Dr. Alex Terrazas PhD gives his take on the latest findings in cannabis research.
But first. here is The Cannabis Boomer's top cannabis news story.
[0:0:18.69] The Cannabis Boomer, Alex Terrazas, PhD
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Two new European studies have found that cannabis-based treatments can effectively reduce back pain, outperforming both placebo and opioid medications. The studies showed a cannabis oil blend containing THC, CBD, and other compounds provided significant pain relief, with fewer side effects than opioids. While the cannabis treatments are not yet approved in the U.S., the findings are seen as a "groundbreaking" addition to the growing evidence on cannabis for chronic pain management. Experts note the safety profile of cannabis is a major advantage over opioids. However, they caution that cannabis is not a "panacea" and the results may not apply to all cannabis products. The lack of FDA-approved cannabis treatments in the U.S. remains a frustration for pain patients seeking alternative options.[0:1:20.37]] Grace And now the Cannabis Boomer reviews recent cannabis science publications.
[0:1:25.86] The Cannabis Boomer, Alex Terrazas, PhD
First up is Medical Cannabis for Chronic Nonmalignant Pain Management by Hameed and others.This review article examines the use of medical cannabis for the management of chronic nonmalignant pain. Cannabis has been used for medical and recreational purposes since ancient times, and this review article documents the validity of using medical cannabis for chronic nonmalignant pain management. This is a review article, so no specific methods were used.The review suggests that medical cannabis can be a valid option for the management of chronic nonmalignant pain.
The next article today is Cannabis and pain: a scoping review by Pantoja-Ruiz and others. This scoping review examines the evidence on the use of cannabis for pain management, including its potential benefits and risks. Key findings: Cannabis has shown some utility in acute and chronic pain, but the evidence is mixed, with weak evidence for neuropathic, rheumatic, and headache pain, modest evidence for multiple sclerosis-related pain, and as an adjuvant therapy in cancer pain; there is no strong evidence to recommend cannabis for decreasing opioid use in chronic pain patients; common adverse effects may limit the clinical use of cannabis. More research is needed to evaluate the benefits and risks of cannabis use, as well as the optimal administration routes and dosages, as cannabis use is increasing in several countries. The review did not systematically analyze the risks associated with cannabis use, and there are concerns about how adverse effects might affect vulnerable populations, such as elderly patients.
Next up: Cannabis and Pain Management by Rottnek and colleagues This article explores the current state of research on the use of cannabis for pain management and provides clinical guidance for physicians based on the available evidence. Here is my take: Cannabis has both risks and benefits for pain management, but research is limited due to its federal Schedule 1 status, which restricts funding and access for research. Physicians have little guidance on the clinical usefulness of cannabis. This article is a narrative review of the current literature on the use of cannabis for pain management and provides clinical guidance for physicians on the use of cannabis for pain management, despite the limited research available. The federal Schedule 1 status of cannabis has significantly hindered research in this area, leading to a lack of robust, evidence-based guidance for physicians and patients.
[0:4:16.99] Michael
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