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Cannabis in Medicine

Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential and Scientific Landscape of Medicinal Cannabis.

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Introduction

Definition

Medicinal cannabis refers to the use of cannabis products and cannabinoid molecules prescribed by physicians for therapeutic purposes. Its history as a medicine spans millennia, though rigorous scientific testing has been limited due to legal and governmental restrictions.

Global Health Context

While evidence for benefits is mixed and often inconclusive, with frequent mild adverse effects, cannabis-based medicines may offer modest relief for chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain, and slight improvements in function and sleep. Evidence quality is generally low to moderate.

Legal and Research Landscape

Many medical organizations advocate for rescheduling cannabis to facilitate research and regulatory oversight. However, some bodies, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, oppose its broad legalization. Numerous countries and US states have legalized medical cannabis, though access conditions vary.

Classification

Defining Medical Cannabis

In the U.S., medical cannabis is defined as using the whole plant or its extracts to treat disease symptoms. This contrasts with conventional medications, which typically contain one or two specific chemicals.

Chemical Complexity

A cannabis plant contains over 400 compounds, with approximately 70 identified as cannabinoids. This complexity makes standardized study and classification challenging. The ratio of CBD to THC significantly influences therapeutic versus psychoactive effects, with CBD known to attenuate THC's psychoactivity.

Therapeutic Applications

General Efficacy

A systematic review found mixed evidence for benefits and frequent mild adverse effects. Low-quality evidence suggests potential efficacy in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea, improving appetite in HIV/AIDS patients, enhancing sleep, and managing tics in Tourette syndrome.

Specific Conditions

When conventional treatments are insufficient, cannabinoids are considered for anorexia, arthritis, glaucoma, and migraine. Their role in mitigating the opioid epidemic as an alternative pain management strategy is under investigation.

Pregnancy Caution

Cannabis use is strongly discouraged during pregnancy due to potential risks to fetal development. Comprehensive research on long-term effects in adolescents also necessitates careful consideration.

Pain Management

Chronic Pain Relief

Evidence suggests cannabis-based medicines may offer modest relief for chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain. They may also yield slight improvements in physical function and sleep quality for patients experiencing chronic pain.

Evidence and Harms

The evidence for pain relief is often inconsistent, and mild harms are commonly reported. These potential harms may outweigh the perceived benefits, and placebo effects can significantly influence trial outcomes, complicating the assessment of true efficacy.

Placebo and Expectations

Placebo effects play a notable role in pain reduction within cannabinoid clinical trials. While media attention is high, it does not always correlate with clinical outcomes but can shape patient expectations and influence future research results.

Insomnia

Sleep Duration

Analysis of national health survey data indicates no significant difference in sleep duration between cannabis users and non-users. While some individuals report subjective sleep benefits, objective changes in overall sleep patterns across the population are not consistently observed.

Nausea & Vomiting

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea

Medical cannabis shows some effectiveness for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), particularly for patients unresponsive to standard treatments. Comparative studies suggest cannabinoids may be more effective than certain conventional antiemetics.

Side Effects & CHS

Conventional antiemetics can cause side effects like dizziness and dysphoria. Conversely, long-term cannabis use can paradoxically lead to nausea and vomiting, a condition known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).

Pediatric Use

For children undergoing chemotherapy, cannabinoids appear "probably effective" for managing nausea, though they are associated with a higher side-effect profile, primarily drowsiness and dizziness, but also potential mood alterations and increased appetite.

HIV/AIDS

Efficacy and Safety

Evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of cannabis and cannabinoids for patients with HIV/AIDS, or for associated anorexia, remains limited. Current studies often suffer from methodological limitations, including bias, small sample sizes, and a lack of long-term data.

Neurological Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

The efficacy of cannabis for neurological issues like multiple sclerosis (MS) and movement disorders is not definitively established. However, oral cannabis extract shows potential effectiveness in reducing patient-reported spasticity measures, particularly when other treatments have failed.

Epilepsy and Spasticity

Cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid, has received FDA approval for treating severe epilepsy syndromes (Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes). Nabiximols (Sativex), an oral spray, is approved in several countries for MS-related spasticity and cancer pain.

Tolerance and Addiction

Early reviews suggested no significant issues with tolerance, abuse, or addiction related to cannabis use for MS, though this requires ongoing scrutiny with more extensive research.

Mental Health

Anxiety and Depression

A 2019 review found insufficient evidence for cannabinoid efficacy in treating depressive or anxiety disorders. The relationship between cannabis use and anxiety is complex, with conflicting reports from observational studies and clinical trials.

Psychosis Risk

High-dose THC exposure is associated with an increased risk of psychosis, particularly in predisposed individuals. Cannabis use, especially in adolescence, may trigger transient psychotic episodes and potentially increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders later in life.

Adolescent Use Impact

The impact on depression is less clear, with some studies suggesting an increased risk among adolescent users, though findings are inconsistent. The long-term cognitive effects of medical cannabis use are still under-researched, though some observational studies show improvements in executive function over time.

Adverse Effects

Common Side Effects

Adverse effects are typically not serious but can include tiredness, dizziness, increased appetite, and psychoactive effects. Impaired short-term memory, motor coordination, judgment, and paranoia can occur, particularly at higher doses.

Cognitive Impact

Recreational use, especially starting in adolescence, is linked to cognitive deficits. While research on long-term medical use is limited, some studies suggest potential improvements in executive function over a 12-month period.

Regulatory Status

The FDA has not approved smoked cannabis due to insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy. Approved cannabinoid medications like Dronabinol and Nabilone are classified as Schedule II substances in the US, indicating a high potential for abuse and side effects.

Pharmacology

Plant Species & Cannabinoids

The genus Cannabis includes C. indica and C. sativa, known for psychoactive cannabinoids, and C. ruderalis. Over 70 cannabinoids exist, including THC (psychoactive) and CBD (non-psychoactive), which interact with CB1 (brain) and CB2 (peripheral) receptors.

Absorption & Metabolism

Absorption varies by administration route; inhalation is rapid, while oral administration has lower bioavailability and longer absorption times. THC is metabolized in the liver to active (11-OH-THC) and inactive (11-COOH-THC) compounds.

Distribution & Excretion

THC distributes to fatty tissues and is highly protein-bound. Metabolites are primarily excreted via feces and urine. The half-life for THC is 25-36 hours, and for CBD, it's 18-32 hours.

Historical Context

Ancient Use

Cannabis has been used medicinally for thousands of years across cultures, documented in ancient China (Shen-Nung), Egypt (Ebers Papyrus), India, Greece, and the Islamic world for various ailments.

Western Introduction

William Brooke O'Shaughnessy introduced cannabis to Western medicine in the 1830s from India, noting its analgesic and anticonvulsant properties. Its use declined by the late 19th century due to dosage control issues and the rise of synthetics.

Modern Resurgence

Interest revived in the 1970s-80s among cancer and AIDS patients. California legalized medical cannabis in 1996, followed by Canada in 2001, marking a shift towards broader acceptance and research.

Economics & Distribution

Access Channels

Consumers typically obtain medical cannabis through state-licensed dispensaries or by cultivating it themselves. Innovative distribution methods, such as on-demand delivery apps and vending machines, are emerging in various regions.

Market Dynamics

A significant portion of medical cannabis is exported globally, with major supply chains originating from countries like the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands. Insurance coverage remains a challenge in many regions due to federal scheduling.

Medical Organization Stances

Supportive Organizations

Organizations such as the American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association, and National Multiple Sclerosis Society support access to medical cannabis and advocate for rescheduling to facilitate research.

Opposing Views

Conversely, the American Academy of Pediatrics opposes broad legalization, though it supports rescheduling for research. The American Psychiatric Association also maintains reservations.

Neutral or Cautious Stances

The American Medical Association and American College of Physicians call for a review of cannabis's Schedule I classification to enable better scientific study. Organizations like the American Heart Association note cardiovascular concerns but support rescheduling for nuanced regulation.

Nomenclature & Products

International Nonproprietary Names (INN)

Key cannabinoids with INNs include Dronabinol (delta-9-THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), and Nabilone (a synthetic analog). Nabiximols (Sativex) is a recognized generic name for a THC/CBD mixture, approved in several countries.

Approved Medications

Approved cannabinoid medications like Dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros) and Nabilone (Cesamet) are used primarily as antiemetics for chemotherapy and for anorexia associated with AIDS. Nabiximols (Sativex) treats MS spasticity and cancer pain.

Product Table

A table details approved cannabinoid medications, their brand names, countries of approval, and licensed indications, highlighting their specific therapeutic applications.

Generic Name Brand Name(s) Country (non-exhaustive) Licensed Indications
Nabilone Cesamet U.S., Canada Antiemetic (chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting unresponsive to conventional therapy)
Dronabinol Marinol
Dronabinol Syndros U.S. Anorexia associated with AIDS-related weight loss
Nabiximols Sativex Canada, New Zealand, majority of the EU Spasticity and neuropathic pain associated with MS, intractable cancer pain

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References

References

  1.  Li, Hui-Lin (1974). "An Archaeological and Historical Account of Cannabis in China", Economic Botany 28.4:437รขย€ย“48, p. 444.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Medical cannabis Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

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