Connection Between Medical Cannabis Use and Improvement in Various Health Conditions

A recent research study reveals that medical cannabis use among Australian patients with chronic health conditions resulted in marked enhancements in quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and pain over a three-month duration. Notably, there was no observed improvement in sleep quality. The study advocates for further investigation, particularly in the realm of treatments for insomnia.

Table of Contents

Overview and Methodological Approach

The study, led by Margaret-Ann Tait from the University of Sydney and her associates, was published on September 6, 2023, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. It notes that medical cannabis has been legally prescribed in Australia since 2016 for health conditions that are resistant to other forms of treatment. The researchers conducted surveys on a population of Australians who were prescribed medical cannabis to comprehend any patient-reported changes post-cannabis treatment.

The methodology employed survey feedback from 2,327 patients with chronic health issues who were prescribed medical cannabis—consisting of THC and CBD dissolved in a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) carrier oil—between November 2020 and December 2021. The patients were queried about their self-perceived quality of life, pain, sleep, anxiety, and depression prior to initiating cannabis treatment, after a two-week period, and then monthly for three months.

Demographic Information and Outcomes

The patient demographic consisted of 63% females, with an average age of 51 years, ranging from 18 to 97 years. Predominantly, the conditions treated included chronic pain (69%), insomnia (23%), anxiety (22%), and combined anxiety/depression (11%). More than half of the patients were undergoing treatment for multiple conditions. Substantial and clinically meaningful progress was noted in patient-reported quality of life and fatigue over the surveyed three months. There were also clinically meaningful declines in pain levels and substantial improvements in moderate to severe anxiety and depression. Despite a significant number of patients being prescribed cannabis for insomnia, no improvements were observed in self-reported sleep quality.

Study Limitations and Recommendations for Future Research

The research did not include measurements of adverse effects, although 30 patients officially exited the study citing “unwanted side effects.” Nevertheless, the findings indicate that medical cannabis could be a viable option for managing chronic conditions that have proven resistant to other treatments. The study also suggests that additional research is necessary, particularly for refining cannabis oil products used in treating insomnia and other sleep disorders.

The authors concluded that within the first three months of medical cannabis treatment, participants experienced improvements in health-related quality of life, fatigue, and conditions linked to anxiety, depression, and pain.

Funding and Ethical Considerations

The study was financed by the University of Sydney, with funding support from Little Green Pharma Ltd. The funding body had no influence over the study design, data collection and analysis, report writing, or the decision to publish. The research was independently conducted by investigators, and all authors had unrestricted access to all study data and assume responsibility for data integrity and analytical accuracy.

Reference: “Health-related quality of life in patients accessing medicinal cannabis in Australia: The QUEST initiative results of a 3-month follow-up observational study” by Margaret-Ann Tait, Daniel S.J. Costa, Rachel Campbell, Richard Norman, Leon N. Warne, Stephan Schug, and Claudia Rutherford, 6 September 2023, PLOS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290549

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Medical cannabis and chronic health conditions

What is the primary focus of this study?

The study primarily focuses on examining the effects of medical cannabis on Australian patients with chronic health conditions. It evaluates improvements in various areas including quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and pain over a three-month period.

Who conducted the research?

The research was led by Margaret-Ann Tait from the University of Sydney, Australia, along with her colleagues. It was published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on September 6, 2023.

What methodology was used in the study?

The study employed survey responses from 2,327 Australian patients with chronic health conditions who were prescribed medical cannabis between November 2020 and December 2021. The patients were surveyed about their health-related quality of life, pain, sleep, anxiety, and depression at multiple intervals: before treatment, two weeks into treatment, and monthly thereafter for three months.

Were there any notable improvements in the patients?

Yes, there were significant and clinically meaningful improvements reported in the areas of quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and pain. However, there was no observed improvement in the quality of sleep.

What were the demographics of the surveyed patients?

The surveyed group consisted of 63% females, with an average age of 51 years. The patients were primarily being treated for chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and a combination of anxiety and depression.

Were there any limitations to the study?

Yes, the study did not measure adverse effects, and 30 patients withdrew citing “unwanted side effects.” Also, there were no improvements noted in sleep quality despite a significant number of patients being prescribed cannabis for insomnia.

What does the study recommend for future research?

The study advocates for additional research, particularly in the development of cannabis oil products that could be effective in treating patients with insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Who funded the research?

The University of Sydney received funding from Little Green Pharma Ltd. However, the funding body had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, or publication.

Is the study peer-reviewed?

Yes, the study is peer-reviewed and was published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.