The results of a new study have shown cannabis as a “safe” and “potentially effective” treatment for the chronic pain experienced by people afflicted with sickle cell disease.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the research was conducted by a team from the University of California, Irvine and San Francisco. The small trial included 23 sickle cell disease patients that suffer from chronic pain. Sickle cell disease is an inherited red blood cell disorder that affects about 70,000 to 100,000 Americans.

The patients were given either cannabis vapor or a vaporized placebo to inhale. The cannabis used in the trial was provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and contained equal parts THC and CBD, the paper noted. 

Research finds that CB1 receptors do have an impact on urination, and their manipulation with cannabinoids from marijuana has promise for treating OAB.

Thirty-three million Americans are living with overactive bladder disease or OAB. According to the National Association for Continence, OAB (sometimes called “spastic bladder”) is the “frequent and urgent need to empty your bladder.” 

Despite all the quality time dogs are getting with their owners, the pandemic could be affecting their stress levels and mental health.

If there’s one demographic that’s had fun over the past couple of months, it’s dogs. While our mental health has been severely challenged by the pandemic and all of the stressors that go along with that, puppies have finally gotten what they’ve always wanted: unlimited time with their owners and really, really long walks. Like, extremely long.

Despite your dog’s happy face every morning, some new data finds that they might also be influenced by the pandemic. We know CBD works to calm anxiety in humans. But could CBD also provide relief for our furry friends?

Cannabis use continues to increase in popularity among adults 65 years of age and older in the United States. With the legalization of cannabis in many states for either medical or recreational purposes, there is growing interest in using it to treat a variety of long-term health conditions and symptoms common among older adults.   

Canadian researchers are hoping to fill in the gaps regarding how effective medicinal marijuana is in treating adults with chronic pain, sleep, anxiety and depression issues as part of a new six-month study.

A systematic review of 14 existing studies in animals has concluded CBD could possess “important” therapeutic potential in the treatment of people addicted to crack cocaine. 

According to the study published in the journal Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, CBD or cannabidiol was shown to reduce addictive behaviors in animals dependent on cocaine, meaning the non-psychoactive compound found in marijuana could act as an adjunct therapy for people struggling with cocaine addiction. 

The reason scientists believe CBD could help alleviate the symptoms of addiction is due to its effects on anxiety, cocaine consumption and reward effects, neuronal proliferation, behavioral responses, hepatic protection and safety. 

A Look at How Cannabis can help with the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Medical cannabis is one area of the applications of cannabis that slowly continues to gain prominence and acceptance in different climes. With the increase in the legalization of cannabis in different regions, there has also been an increase likewise into studies on the numerous medicinal benefits that are present in cannabis. Cannabis is readily used and prescribed by some physicians to help with the regulation of inflammation and used internally for certain ailments.

According to a new study published in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, marijuana inhalation is associated with short-term reductions in depressive feelings. The study was epublished by the National Institute of Health, and is titled The effectiveness of cannabis flower for immediate relief from symptoms of depression.

For the study researchers examined the effects of marijuana inhalation on depressive feelings in 1,819 subjects over a one-month period. Study participants self-administered marijuana and reported symptom changes in real time on a mobile software application.

New data from the journal of Advances in Therapy shows that more people now than in the past are using cannabis to treat and cope with chronic pain—and that those who are using it as treatment report favorable results. 

Feeling anxious or depressed? You’re not alone. Anxiety and depression are two of the more common issues we hear about at the dispensary where I work, especially around the holidays. As a patient consultant and educator, I see hundreds of patients a week and help them find relief with cannabis. Here are some of the successful medicating strategies I’ve learned: