Cannabis as medicine Does cannabis really addict?

Knowledge gaps about the effect of medicinal cannabis
Medical cannabis holds great hope for many patients. So far, it is mainly used for the relief of chronic pain and nausea during chemotherapy. Also in case of cataracts, multiple sclerosis and many other diseases, a hemp treatment could be promising. However, scientific evidence is often missing. An international research team led by Penny Whiting at Bristol University Hospital recently evaluated dozens of studies on medical cannabis and discovered numerous knowledge gaps.

Positive effect of medicinal cannabis in chronic pain has been demonstrated in scientific studies
Whether multiple sclerosis, Tourette syndrome or cancer - Medical cannabis is now used worldwide for many diseases. The health benefits of hemp treatments, however, have not been sufficiently scientifically proven for many diseases. This is shown in a recent study, which looked at 28 databases for studies on the effects of medicinal cannabis.

Whiting and her colleagues came across 79 examinations with just under 6,500 study participants. The oldest study was done in 1975, the most recent was from this year. There are indications of positive effects in the most well-known applications for medical marijuana, such as the alleviation of chronic pain or nausea during chemotherapy, write the researchers in the journal "Jama". For many diseases, however, the benefits of hemp therapy are not proven. In a study that looked at the effects of cataracts, the results were based on only six study participants.

"As systematic reviewers, we've provided a summary of the data available, so doctors can now use it to make decisions about prescribing cannabinoids to their patients," Whiting told Reuters..

Many doctors have had good medical cannabis experience with their patients
However, the fact that the data on the effect of cannabis is quite poor can not be taken as an indication that medicinal marijuana does not work. Many doctors have had positive experiences with hemp therapy. "Every week I have Tourette patients in my practice who tell me that no drug can relieve their tics, but a joint helped them," says Kirsten Müller-Vahl, a neurologist at the Hannover Medical School, in an interview with Spiegel On-line". However, the current analysis shows that there is a great need for research.

Only when doctors know more about the medical benefits of cannabis can they better advise their patients. At present, the data are missing for many illnesses, so that too many risks meet an unknown benefit. For example, in the "Jama" editorial, about one in ten cannabis consumers are threatened with dependence. In addition, marijuana can cause side effects such as tiredness, a dry mouth, dizziness and nausea. In rare cases it can also lead to psychosis. (Ag)

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Picture: NicoLeHe