The association of cannabis with the reduction of developmental colorectal cancer

Case studies suggest that there is an anti-inflammatory agent in cannabis. 

One study found a link between cannabis use and a lower risk of colon cancer, anaemia and hospitalisation.

The nationwide inpatient sample data sets (2010-2014) were examined to identify adults with crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). 

Recent studies about Crohn’s disease and Cannabis

This is the result of a study conducted by Atlanta VA Medical Center in Decatur, USA:

The study examined 6,002 patients  with CD (2,999 cannabis users & 3,003 non-users) and 1,481 patients with UC (742 cannabis users & 739 non-users). 

In patients with CD, the presence of colorectal cancer, the need for parenteral nutrition, and anemia were lower in cannabis users. 

However, active fistula disease or intra-abdominal abscess formation, non-specific bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract and hypovolemia were higher in recreational cannabis use. 

Additionally, the average hospital stay was shorter with lower hospital costs among cannabis users.

Source: Cannabis-med

Image: AGMG

According to a study published in 2017 by the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers have come to a conclusion that CBD can have a positive effect in patients with schizophrenia.

Studies about medical cannabis efficacy for Schizophrenia

The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of CBD as an accompanying therapy for schizophrenia.  In a randomized (1:1 ratio) and double-blinded study, patients received either CBD (1000mg/day; N=43) or a placebo (N=45) as additional therapy to their existing antipsychotic medication for 6 weeks. Participants were assessed for effects of CBD before and after the treatment using the positive and negative Syndrom scale (PANSS), the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS), the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF), and the improvement and severity scales of the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI-I and CGI-S).According to the study, the CBD group, compared to the placebo group, showed improvements in cognitive performance, functional range, and overall clinical impression of the patient. 

These results suggest that CBD may be a possible alternative in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29241357

According to a study, patients repeatedly reported that cannabis is used as a substitute for prescription drugs, but little is known about people who legally purchase cannabis through the adult cannabis market. 

The study was conducted in 2016 in Colorado, United States, in which 1000 adults were interviewed about their use of (medical) cannabis, 65% of respondents reported that they used cannabis to relieve their pain and 74% said they used cannabis to promote sleep. All respondents who reported medical certification were excluded. 

Among those who took cannabis to sleep, 84% found it very helpful, and those who took over-the-counter medicines (87%) or prescription sleeping pills (83%) said they either reduced their use or stopped using them completely. 

This suggests that medical use of cannabis is common where cannabis is legally available and also reduces drug use. Laws for adult cannabis use could increase access to cannabis to treat illnesses.

Source:

https://www.cannabis-med.org/

The increased development of obesity and excess weight can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. Recent findings suggest that cannabis use has a protective effect on weight gain and associated metabolic changes in  patients with psychosis.

According to a three year longitudinal study published in 2019, cannabis use can have a protective effect against liver steatosis.

390 patients were examined at two points in time.  Firstly, at the start of the study, and secondly, after 3 years of initiating antipsychotic treatment. Anthropometric measurements and liver, lipid, and glycemic parameters were obtained at both points in time. Patients were treated at the Department of Psychiatry of the University Hospital de Valdecilla in Santander, Spain. 

During the second examination, cannabis users significantly had lower FLI (Fatty Liver Index) values than non-users.

In addition, cannabis users met the criteria for liver steatosis less frequently than non-users. Patients who consistently used cannabis after 3 years of use represented the smallest increase in FLI over time. 

Source:Cannabis-Med