Study: cannabis ‘effective’ in older patients with chronic conditions

New research supports the use of medicinal cannabis in patients with a range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, and multiple sclerosis.

The findings of an observational study suggest that a balanced formulation of medicinal cannabis is safe and effective in treating older patients, with treatment-resistant neurological conditions seeing the most benefit.

Researchers reviewed the medical records of over 150 Australian patients with an average age of 63, who were prescribed cannabis for neurological, musculoskeletal, autoimmune, or anti-inflammatory disorders.

The majority of patients were prescribed an oil preparation containing a balanced ratio of THC:CBD, with data collected over a period of 30 months. The average daily dose of CBD (34.8mg) was significantly higher than that of THC (16.9 mg).

According to the paper, medicinal cannabis was perceived to be beneficial by more than half (53.5%) of patients.

Patients 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 for their symptoms.

Around 60% of patients with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis said cannabis was beneficial at managing their symptoms, followed by just under half of those with migraine (43.8%), chronic pain syndrome (42.1%), and spondylosis (40.0%).

Medicinal cannabis was found to have the greatest perceived effect on sleep (80.0%), followed by pain (51.5%), and muscle spasm (50%). 

“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,” the authors state.

“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.”

The paper suggests that future clinical trials should investigate the role of cannabis in treating the conditions highlighted in the study, as well as recommending further research into its effects on pain and sleep.

The authors add: “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.”

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