This is the first part of a two-part series on a recent examination of the cannabis-use profiles and risk-factors associated with smoking cannabis in people using cannabis with medical intent. Smoking cannabis is associated with exposure to harmful toxins and therefore is one of the greatest health risks related to cannabis use. This is an important consideration for people using cannabis with a medical intent. Therefore, we examined the differences in those who prefer smoking cannabis to other consumption forms for mental health.
Our methodology aimed to explore the differences in the personal characteristics, mental health status, and cannabis-use profiles of those who smoke cannabis versus consumed cannabis by vaporization or oral ingestion. We collected data on how cannabis was being used and indicators of mental health and wellbeing for 100 medical cannabis dispensary users.
Key insights:
1. Inhaled cannabis, and more specifically smoked cannabis, was the most popular route of consumption in this sample (47%).
2. Cannabis smokers have distinct patterns of use compared to other consumption forms:
- They had a greater preference for THC-dominant chemovars.
- They consumed more frequently.
- They used in a greater quantity compared to those who vaporized their cannabis.
3. Smoking cannabis was not associated with cannabis use disorder, but was associated with an increased prevalence of alcohol use disorder.
4. There was no association detected between any form of consumption and anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Click here to read the full article, and be sure to come back next week to read Part 2 for more takeaways from the study.
Dr. Caroline MacCallum is a specialist in internal medicine with expertise in complex pain and cannabinoid medicine. In addition to serving as an advisor to EO Care, she is a clinical instructor in the Department of Medicine; Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences program; and associate member in the Dept. of Palliative Care at the University of British Columbia. An avid researcher, Dr. MacCallum is primary author of Practical Considerations for Medical Cannabis Administration and Dosing, and assistant editor for Cannabinoids and Pain.
Here's where you can find Dr. Caroline MacCallum online:
- Instagram: @dr.carolinemaccallum
- Twitter: @camaccallum
- Facebook: Dr. Caroline MacCallum
- Linkedin: Dr. Caroline MacCallum, MD
- Website: https://drcarolinemaccallum.com/
In the quest for relief from the burdens of cancer treatment, individuals often turn to cannabis, seeking answers amidst the chaos of symptoms.
The lack of pain relief combined with the risk of dangerous side effects, including death, has led to a need for alternative options to help treat chronic pain. Recently, there has been growing interest in the possibility that cannabis may be useful in combination or as a substitute for opioids in people with chronic pain.
Recent evidence suggests that using medical cannabis in combination with opioids to treat chronic pain may provide better treatment of pain and allow for a lower dose of opioids. It is important we find other tools that can be used to help improve the treatment of pain while keeping patients safe.
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