Author: russellrope

Clinical Trial: Cannabis Extract Provides Sustained Relief for Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Hannover, Germany: Plant-derived cannabis extracts provide sustained improvements in patients with chronic lower back pain, according to randomized placebo-controlled data published in the journal Nature Medicine.

German investigators evaluated the efficacy of a proprietary cannabis extract containing 2.5 mg of THC and standardized percentages of CBD and CBG (cannabigerol) in a cohort of 820 patients. Study participants consumed either the extract or a placebo for 12 weeks, with a portion of subjects continuing enrollment in the trial for several additional months.

Compared to those receiving the placebo, patients receiving cannabis extracts demonstrated significant improvements in pain intensity, sleep quality, physical function, and overall quality of life. Participants who suffered from neuropathy and who consumed cannabis extracts for extended lengths of time experienced the greatest improvement. Adverse events associated with cannabis therapy were categorized as “mild to moderate.”

Researchers reported: “The results of the [clinical] trial demonstrate that VER-01 [plant-derived cannabis extracts] provides meaningful pain reduction compared to the placebo, accompanied by distinct improvements in physical function and sleep quality. … Importantly, prolonged treatment with VER-01 was associated with further reductions in pain intensity, as well as continued improvements in physical function, sleep quality and health-related quality of life. Notably, the treatment effect was even more pronounced in participants with a neuropathic pain component and those with severe pain at baseline.”

The study’s authors concluded: “This phase 3 study provides robust evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of VER-01 in the treatment of CLBP [chronic lower back pain]. These findings highlight the importance of further research with VER-01 in other chronic pain conditions and suggest that VER-01 could play an important role in modern pain management.”

Studies have previously shown that patients with lower back pain reduce their use of opioids following the initiation of medical cannabis therapy.

Full text of the study, “Full-spectrum extract from cannabis sativa. DKJ127 for chronic low back pain: A Phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trial,” appears in Nature Medicine.

Survey: Older Adults Say That Cannabis Is “Helpful” for Treating Anxiety, Insomnia, and Depression

Vancouver, Canada: More than two-thirds of older adults who consume cannabis for mental health conditions say that it helps manage their symptoms, according to survey data published in the journal Aging.

Canadian investigators reviewed anonymous survey responses from 1,615 older (age 50+) adults, 20 percent of whom acknowledged using cannabis to treat mental health symptoms. (Cannabis has been legally available in Canada for those 18 and older since 2018.)

Respondents were most likely to report consuming cannabis products to mitigate symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

Most respondents (71 percent) said that cannabis was “somewhat or extremely helpful” for treating their symptoms and over half (57 percent) perceived cannabis to be “more or somewhat more effective” than traditional pharmaceuticals.

“Approximately one in five older Canadians reported using cannabis, at least in part, to manage mental health symptoms, the majority of whom have a positive view of its effectiveness and safety profile,” the study’s authors concluded. “Additional research in older populations is required to determine the effectiveness of cannabis for mental health conditions and cannabis safety in the aging body and with concomitant medications commonly used by this population. As there is a growing number of older adults using cannabis, healthcare providers must inquire about cannabis use, particularly for those with mental health conditions or experiencing symptoms that may be attributable to or impacted by cannabis, such as impaired cognition or balance.”

Prior surveys conducted in the United States and Canada indicate that an increasing percentage of adults are consuming cannabis products, with most saying that it improves their overall quality of life.

Full text of the study, “Characterization of the use and perceptions of cannabis for mental health in older Canadians: A cross-sectional analysis,” appears in Aging.

Analysis: Pupil Size Not Predictive of Acute Cannabis Exposure

Aurora, CO: Pupil size is not predictive of acute cannabis exposure and should not be relied upon as a determinant of marijuana-induced impairment, according to data published in the journal Clinical Toxicology.

Investigators affiliated with the University of Colorado performed pupillometer assessments on 126 participants. Ninety-five participants were assessed at baseline and then again following ad libitum cannabis inhalation. Thirty-five subjects completed the same assessments but did not use cannabis.

Following cannabis inhalation, subjects “did not exhibit a substantial and consistent difference in static pupil diameter relative to controls,” researchers reported.

As a result, the study’s authors cautioned against relying on ocular measures as evidence of cannabis-induced impairment, stating that the tests lacked the accuracy and specificity necessary to be a valid evidentiary tool.

Drug Recognition Evaluators typically perform a variety of ocular measurements, including assessments of pupil size, on drivers they suspect to be under the influence of cannabis.

Full text of the study, “Pupillary dynamics as a marker of acute. Cannabis inhalation,” appears in Clinical Toxicology.

Review: Cannabinoids Support “Healthy Aging” and “Enhanced Quality of Life” in Older Populations

Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cannabinoids hold promise for improving health and promoting longevity of older populations, according to the findings of a systematic review published in the Journal of Cannabis Research.

British researchers reviewed findings from 11 preclinical studies and seven human trials assessing the impact of cannabinoids, particularly CBD and THC, on older populations.

“THC enhances memory, reduces inflammation, and offers neuroprotection, while CBD extends lifespan, improves motility, and promotes autophagy in preclinical models,” investigators reported. “Both cannabinoids highlight potential for longevity and cognitive resilience, though careful dosing is crucial to minimize risks. Additionally, their combined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties might offer synergistic benefits for healthy aging. … Clinical studies also suggest potential therapeutic applications for cannabinoids in aging populations, although further research is needed to understand their mechanisms of action and long-term effects fully.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Cannabinoids hold promise for supporting healthy aging and enhancing the quality of life in older populations. While preliminary research suggests intriguing possibilities, more studies are needed to solidify the link between cannabis use, the ECS [endocannabinoid system], and healthy aging in humans.”

Survey data indicates that as many as one in five older adults consume cannabis products, with most saying that it improves their overall quality of life.

Full text of the study, “The impact of cannabis use on aging and longevity: A systematic review of research insights,” appears in the Journal of Cannabis Research.