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Cannabis flower effective for managing fatigue – study

Patients consuming cannabis flower report a reduction in fatigue.

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Cannabis flower effective for managing fatigue - study
Fatigue is a common symptom of many types of chronic illness

For the first time findings have shown that consuming cannabis flower appears to lead to a reduction in fatigue.

Researchers have examined for the first time the effects cannabis has on symptoms of fatigue.

Fatigue is defined as extreme tiredness often resulting from illness or lifestyle choices such as a poor diet. It is not the same as simply being tired or sleepy, and those experiencing it describe an overwhelming exhaustion with no motivation or lack of energy.

It can have a profound effect on a person’s quality of life. 

Fatigue is a common symptom of many types of chronic illness, including conditions such as fibromyalgia, endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Ehlers-danlos syndromes, and other diagnoses for which cannabis is thought to be helpful.

According to the authors of this study, previous research has shown that people with chronic pain, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis experienced increased energy levels after using medical cannabis and being able to reduce their use of other medications.

A study was conducted on over 1,200 people, self-administering cannabis between 2016 and 2019, using the Releaf App, which allows medical cannabis patients to track their symptoms and consumption.

On average, 92 per cent of people experienced decreased fatigue following consumption, with an average symptom intensity reduction of 3.48 points on a scale of 0-10.

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The study examined the effects of commercially available cannabis flower products in the US.

Participants recorded fatigue intensity levels prior to and following consumption, Cannabis flower characteristics, combustion method, and any potential experienced side effects. 

According to the data, THC and CBD levels were generally not associated with changes in symptom intensity levels, however, people that “used joints” to combust the flower “reported greater symptom relief” than pipe or vaporizer users.

The authors said: “While some user sessions resulted in increased fatigue or fatigue-related side-effect experiences, the vast majority of people (about 92 per cent) reported an overall decrease in their perceived fatigue intensity levels.

“Overall, higher CBD levels were inversely associated with the reporting of negative side effects, and males, older patients, and more experienced users reported the greatest symptom relief.”

They concluded: “The current study shows that whole, natural Cannabis flower has fast-acting and energetic effects for the majority of users who use it for treating fatigue. However, novice users generally should avoid high levels of THC.

“Future research would benefit from investigating real-time effects of Cannabis usage on behavioural and mental fatigue under altered bodily states and how different phytochemicals in the Cannabis plant aggregate and/or interact in its mental and physical effects in healthy people and clinical populations.”

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Sarah Sinclair is a respected cannabis journalist writing on subjects related to science, medicine, research, health and wellness. She is managing editor of Cannabis Health, the UK’s leading title covering medical cannabis and CBD, and sister titles, Cannabis Wealth and Psychedelic Health. Sarah has an NCTJ journalism qualification and an MA in Journalism from the University of Sunderland. Sarah has over six years experience working on newspapers, magazines and digital-first titles, the last two of which have been in the cannabis sector. She has also completed training through the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society securing a certificate in Medical Cannabis Explained. She is a member of PLEA’s (Patient-Led Engagement for Access) advisory board, has hosted several webinars on cannabis and women's health and has moderated at industry events such as Cannabis Europa. Sarah Sinclair is the editor of Cannabis Health. Got a story? Email sarah@handwmedia.co.uk / Follow us on Twitter: @CannabisHNews / Instagram: @cannabishealthmag

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