Most people know by now that marijuana can be a fantastic therapeutic option for treating chronic pain, anxiety, and other conditions. However, the long-term effects and sustainability of cannabis treatments haven’t yet been proven evident.
But one of the latest marijuana studies in 2023 is here to change that. The paper details how over 3,000 patients could enjoy the sustained improvements in quality of life brought on by cannabis. Here’s what you need to know.
Marijuana Health Benefits
It’s widely known that marijuana has multiple health benefits. The stereotype of the stoner sitting in front of a TV for hours lighting a bong is long gone — and what’s left is a fantastic therapeutic tool that’s helping millions of people.
Medical marijuana is mostly used for pain control, with experts suggesting that it’s not only as efficient as other alternatives but also safer. Slowly but surely, marijuana is replacing sedating drugs such as opiates or Lyrica for treating chronic and multiple sclerosis-related pain.
Similarly, marijuana is a great muscle relaxant. As such, it may be a viable option to reduce tremors and symptoms from conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, and endometriosis. Cannabis may also help treat:
- Chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting
- HIV-related weight loss
- Glaucoma
- Tourette syndrome
But the benefits don’t stop there. Medical cannabis is also linked to significant improvements in certain mental conditions. A classic example of this is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Several veterans have reported drastic improvements in their condition after using marijuana.
Marijuana (more specifically, CBD) may also help treat mental health disorders such as social anxiety. Cannabis can also improve sleep quality — although experts argue that this may not be directly impacted by marijuana but by the reduction of pain and anxiety.
The New Findings
If you’re an avid cannabis user, you may’ve heard of the latest breakthrough in marijuana health news. The American Medical Association (AMA) recently published a study on marijuana’s long-term health impacts — and the results are nothing but good news.
Methodology
The paper details one of the largest marijuana health studies ever carried out, involving 3,148 people from Australia. These people were prescribed cannabinoid treatment for different conditions, including chronic and cancer-related pain, insomnia, and anxiety. On average, these patients took more than four medications daily to relieve their conditions.
Once the study started, patients were asked to rate their wellness in eight categories (such as bodily pain and mental health) on a scale of 0 to 100. The survey was administered once every 45 days, with an average of five surveys completed per patient.
Results
And for the good news: Most patients reported improvements in all eight categories. However, and maybe more interestingly, the most noticeable results came after the second survey. This suggests that marijuana could be even more useful than we thought when it comes to long-term, sustained health improvements.
The most significant improvements came in social functioning and bodily pain, with scores rising by more than 10 points compared to pre-treatment baseline levels. The role-emotional, vitality, mental health, general health, and role-physical categories also saw significant improvements.
Only one category, physical functioning, showed less overwhelmingly positive results, with patients reporting a return to baseline levels after a few months.
So What Does It Mean?
During the paper’s discussion and conclusion, researchers suggest a favorable and significant association between medical cannabis and long-term quality of life. To support this, they also included results from other marijuana health studies and concluded that they were similar.
This could open the door to further investigations into using cannabis for long-term pain management and treating certain conditions. In turn, medical cannabis could be, in the near future, a valid and efficient alternative to opioids or other side effect-heavy medications.
But the authors also warn that the study has its limitations. Because it deals with retrospective case reviews, it can’t draw the precise conclusions one would get from more controlled designs. Similarly, they state that because the surveys were optional, patients with positive experiences were more likely to complete them.
Still, the results are promising. With more research, marijuana could be the next great breakthrough in pain management.
How To Use Marijuana Safely
As with any other therapeutic tool, marijuana needs to be used safely to avoid side effects and get the best experience possible. If you’re new to using medical cannabis, we’ve done our best to compile some key tips so you can get off to a smooth start.
Finding a trusted dispensary: We can’t stress this enough. Getting familiar with a dispensary you can trust is crucial to the experience so you can avoid getting scammed or buying bad-quality stuff.
Get help from the pros: Top dispensaries usually have trained employees who can point you in the right direction. They can help you pick the right strain, dose, and even method of consumption so you can get the best experience possible.
Determine the ideal setting: Marijuana use should be a relaxed, tension-free experience. Plan ahead to set yourself up in a calm environment with anything you might need, from snacks to incense to mood music.
Start slow: When used carelessly, marijuana can be overwhelming. As such, we recommend you start with small doses and gradually increase them if you feel comfortable.
Key Takeaways: Sustained Health Improvements
The latest marijuana study in 2023 shows promising results regarding long-term quality of life improvements. It analyzed the progress of over 3,000 patients in eight categories, including mental health, vitality, and general health. It showed significant improvements in almost all categories and patients.
If you’re looking for high-quality, reliable cannabis in Florida, take a look at our online menu. Here at VidaCann, we’ll make sure you find your best path to enjoying all these health benefits.
