A new study has found that medical cannabis has sustained benefits, including improvements in anxiety, pain, and well-being.
The published study was conducted by researchers at McGill University Health Centre and the Université de Montréal, both in Canada and The State University of New Jersey, in the most recent issue of the Journal Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research. It was posted online ahead of print by the National Library of Medicine.
According to the study, researchers investigated the effectiveness and safety of medical cannabis in the real-world clinical practice setting.
The study examined a four-year prospective noncomparative registry of adult patients who began cannabis therapy for various ailments. The research "reports on patients followed for up to twelve months, with interim visits at three, six, and nine months after enrollment." Overall, 2,991 adult patients with a mean age of 52 enrolled between May 2015 and October 2018, with the last follow-up ending in May 2019.
The study states that all patient-reported results showed a statistically significant improvement at three months, sustained or further improved (for pain interference, tiredness, and overall well-being) over the remainder of the twelve-month follow-up. The outcomes also revealed clinically significant improvements in pain interference and fatigue, anxiety, and well-being from baseline."
Researchers concluded that medical cannabis "directed by physicians" appeared to be safe and effective within three months of initiation for treating a variety of medical symptoms.
