An observational study conducted at Sydney’s Wolper Jewish Hospital has found a balanced formulation of medicinal cannabis to be safe and effective for older patients, with those suffering from treatment-resistant neurological conditions reporting the most benefit.
Researchers reviewed the medical records of 157 adult patients (average age: 63), who were prescribed cannabis for neurological, musculoskeletal, autoimmune and anti-inflammatory disorders.
The majority (133) took an oil preparation containing a balanced ratio of THC and CBD, with data collected over 30 months.
Cannabis Health News reports medicinal cannabis was perceived to be beneficial by more than half (53.5%) of patients.
Those experiencing neuropathic pain/peripheral neuropathy patients reported the most benefit (66.6%), while those with nociceptive pain conditions (caused by damage to the tissue), such as spondylosis, were least likely to perceive cannabis as being beneficial.
Around 60% of those with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis said cannabis helped manage their symptoms, followed by just under half of those with migraine (43.8%), chronic pain syndrome (42.1%), and spondylosis (40%).
Medicinal cannabis was found to have the greatest perceived effect on sleep (80%), followed by pain (51.5%), and muscle spasm (50%).
The authors said: “This study indicates that medicinal cannabis, in a balanced formulation, may address a variety of non-cancer conditions and indications concurrently and can be safely prescribed by a medical doctor.
“It is recommended that patients are assessed individually to determine whether medicinal cannabis is an appropriate treatment option, considering the associated safety risks to potential therapeutic benefit.”
They said future clinical trials should investigate the role of cannabis in treating the conditions highlighted in the study, and recommended further research into its effects on pain and sleep.
“Understanding how medicinal cannabis can be used in mainstream medicine is crucial as it has the potential to positively impact millions of lives around the world,” the authors added.
